Paul Canton, a 55-year-old veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is facing deportation to New Zealand, a country he left as a young child and barely remembers. After serving seven years in the military and building a life in Central Florida spanning more than three decades, Canton’s bid for U.S. Citizenship has been repeatedly denied, leaving him with the imminent prospect of being removed from the only home he’s truly known. The case highlights a complex intersection of immigration law, military service, and a system that advocates say fails to adequately recognize the contributions of foreign-born service members.
Canton’s journey began in New Zealand, where he was born in 1968. He moved to Australia as a young boy and later came to the United States on an exchange visa. In the early 1990s, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, believing that honorable service would pave the way for citizenship, a common understanding at the time. He served during and after the Persian Gulf War, completing four years of active duty and four years in the reserves. However, that promise never materialized.
The crux of Canton’s legal battle lies in a technicality related to the timing of his service and a change in U.S. Law. According to his attorney, Elizabeth Ricci, Canton’s active duty began shortly after the official end of the Persian Gulf conflict, disqualifying him from a pathway to citizenship that was available to those who served *during* the conflict. “The rule is that if you served during that period you could go from undocumented to citizen,” Ricci explained, “so clearly enough people were serving in our military undocumented that they had to even make that rule. But the rule only applied for active duty.”
Canton discovered the issue years after his discharge, when attempting to renew his driver’s license. He assumed he was a citizen and, unknowingly, even registered to vote, a decision that now presents a significant obstacle to naturalization. A 1996 change in the law stipulates that anyone who voted or registered to vote after that date is ineligible for citizenship, with no waiver available. Military.com reported that Canton was unaware of this change when he exercised his right to vote.
Despite his long residency and military service, Canton’s appeals have been exhausted. A federal judge recently denied his final appeal, bringing him closer to deportation. He now faces the prospect of returning to New Zealand, a country he left as a child and with which he feels little connection. “I have no connection to that way of life, I wouldn’t even know where to go or what to do,” Canton told RNZ. “It’s so unique to live here in America. It’s a wonderful place to raise your kids.” His wife passed away three years ago, further severing any remaining ties to his birth country.
Ricci, who has represented Canton pro bono for six years, says the case underscores a flaw in the U.S. Immigration system. She and Canton have reached out to both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden seeking intervention, but have received no response. Ricci is now hoping for a special bill to be passed by Congress or direct action from the President to address Canton’s situation.
The Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand has confirmed that anyone born in the country before 2006 is automatically a New Zealand citizen. However, Canton’s Australian citizenship was revoked when he joined the U.S. Marines, leaving him in a precarious position. He is now preparing for the possibility of a notice to appear at Immigration Court in Orlando, Florida, though the timeline for a hearing remains uncertain due to significant backlogs in the system. Tampabay28.com reported on the extensive delays within the immigration court system.
Canton’s case is drawing attention to the challenges faced by immigrant veterans seeking citizenship. While the U.S. Military offers a pathway to naturalization, the process is often fraught with complications and legal hurdles. Advocates argue that the system should be more streamlined and equitable for those who have served their country. The situation highlights the broader debate surrounding immigration reform and the rights of non-citizen service members.
As of today, March 19, 2026, Canton awaits further instructions from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His attorney continues to explore all available legal options and hopes for a resolution that will allow him to remain in the United States, the country he has called home for most of his life. The next step in Canton’s case will likely be the receipt of a notice to appear from ICE, scheduling a hearing date.
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