At The Bunker, deported veterans recover from war — and look for a way back home

Not far from the southern limits of the US, and the very busy San Ysidro border crossing into Mexico, a small group of men, ages 30 to 70, have made a home. They have family in the US. They fought in the US military. Some were injured in battle. Some have PTSD.

They have all been deported to Mexico and want to return to their homes in the US.

For now, though, home is a place called The Bunker, a Tijuana support house for US military veterans who have nowhere else to go when they land back in Mexico. It was founded by Hector Barajas, who himself served in the US Army and was deported in 2004.

Hector Barajas runs The Bunker in Tijuana. It's a shelter and service center for US military veterans who have been deported. Barajas himself was deported in 2004. “We’ve got to take care of our people, our family while we’re here," he says. Credit: Marco Werman
Hector Barajas runs The Bunker in Tijuana. It’s a shelter and service center for US military veterans who have been deported. Barajas himself was deported in 2004. “We’ve got to take care of our people, our family while we’re here,” he says. Credit: Marco Werman

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