Discharged and then deported, United States military veterans have found themselves living south of the border in Mexico. Although serving in the military for a country they call home, they are now deported with hopes of one day returning.

There are more than 250 deported veterans in 34 countries—some of whom have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam—according to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2016.

The Deported Veterans Support House, also known as “The Bunker,” was founded in 2013 by U.S. Army veteran Hector Barajas-Varela to provide support, counseling, legal aid and advocacy for legislative reform for deported U.S. veterans in Mexico and around the world.

Barajas-Varela entered the U.S. as a child and became a legal permanent resident shortly after. At age 17, he enlisted in the military and served six years in the Army in which he was part of the 82nd Airborne Division between 1996 and 1999, and in a medical unit in MOS Patient Administration between 1999 and 2001.

Shortly after his honorable discharge in 2001, Barajas-Varela was arrested and pleaded guilty to a felony conviction of firing a gun into a vehicle. Although no one was injured during the shooting, he was sentenced to three years in prison. Barajas-Varela served nearly two years behind bars and the rest on parole. After completing his sentence in 2004, he was deported to Mexico. He decided to illegally re-enter the U.S. within six months and was deported for life in 2010 after a traffic violation.

“At the end of the day, these men went to prison. They didn’t get a get-out-of-jail card,” said Barajas-Varela. “We feel that deportation is double punishment, double jeopardy.”

An estimated 11,000 non-citizens currently serve in the U.S. military with an understanding that they will be naturalized during or following their service.

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, stands outside the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017. Barajas-Varela's back tattoo reads, "U.S. Banished Veteran."

There are more than 250 deported veterans in 34 countries according to a 2016 report by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Hector Barajas-Varela walks back to the Deported Veterans Support House after picking up his army uniform from a local dry cleaner in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017.

An estimated 11,000 non-citizens currently serve in the U.S. military with an understanding that they will be naturalized during or following their service. However, those who leave the military early or are convicted of a crime can face deportation.

Deported U.S. Army veteran Armando Cervantes, left, guides deported U.S. Army veteran Hector Barajas-Varela, center, and deported mother Yolanda Varona, right, to his shack in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017. Barajas-Varela is working with Cervantes to construct him a new home.

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, carries a plate of food he cooked inside the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017.

Barajas-Varela entered the U.S. as a child and became a legal permanent resident shortly after. He enlisted in the military at age 17 and served six years in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division between 1996 and 1999, and in a medical unit in MOS Patient Administration between 1999 and 2001 before being honorably discharged.

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, shaves his head as part of his hygiene routine at the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017.

Shortly after his discharge, Barajas-Varela was arrested and pleaded guilty to a felony conviction of firing a gun into a vehicle. Although no one was injured during the shooting, he was sentenced to three years in prison. Barajas-Varela served nearly two years behind bars and the rest on parole after an early release for good behavior.

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, exits the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017.

After completing his sentence in 2004, he was deported to Mexico. He decided to illegally re-enter the U.S. within six months and was deported for life in 2010 after a traffic violation.

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, sweeps the street outside the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017.

Barajas-Varela now runs the Deported Veterans Support House, also known as “The Bunker,” which he founded in 2013 to provide support, counseling, legal aid and advocacy for legislative reform for deported U.S. veterans in Mexico and around the world.

From left to right: Deported mother Yolanda Varona and deported U.S. Army veteran Hector Barajas-Varela receive donations from U.S. Army veteran Sergio Lopez and his wife Betty Lopez of California at the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July 7, 2017.

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, polishes one of his medals at the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Friday, July, 7, 2017.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton enacted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act shifting immigration policies and expanding the types of criminal convictions eligible for deportation. The law no longer considered military service in deportation cases.

American flags are placed next to to crosses honoring deported veterans that have died due to lack of healthcare during a 4th of July celebration along the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

“Being realistic, most of us aren’t going home,” said Barajas-Varela. “I feel that allowing these men and women to return when they die is not an option. We should be able to bring them home alive.”

Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported U.S. Army veteran, lights fireworks during a 4th of July celebration along the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

“Even though we are deported, we still consider the United States our home,” said Barajas-Varela as he stood on the beach in Tijuana inches away from a fence separating the United States and Mexico.

Edwin Salgado, a deported veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, left, and Hector Barajas-Varela, a deported veteran of the U.S. Army, right, fold an American flag during a 4th of July celebration along the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

Barajas-Varela and two other deported veterans were granted pardons for their crimes by California Gov. Jerry Brown this year. Although the pardons do not guarantee legal re-entry to the States, Barajas-Varela hopes it will help in his appeal to U.S. federal immigration authorities.

Smoke from fireworks lingers during a 4th of July celebration along the US-Mexico border in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Crowds, including deported families, gathered on the Mexican side of the fence commemorating the American tradition.

Hector Barajas-Varela is currently waiting to hear from immigration officials regarding his repatriation.