Canada has deported the first of an estimated 200 U.S. military deserters back to America. 25-year old Robin Long exausted his last remaining appeal this week for refugee status in Canada, and was promptly shipped back to the U.S.

Robin Long, 25, was removed a day after a Federal Court judge in Vancouver rejected his claim that he would suffer irreparable harm if returned to the United States. He fled across the border in 2005 as his army tank unit was preparing to deploy to Iraq.

Canada is right to send deserters back. Cowards like Long are a disgrace to this nation and deserve to face justice. Over 1 million men and women have served their country honorably in Iraq, but Long was too much of a coward to do his part. People like him don’t deserve to live under the freedom they were so fortunate to be born under.

U.S. military law states that desertion during a time of war is punishable by death. Unfortunately, Long is unlikely to get the death penalty but will probably serve time in a federal prison.

After he finishes his prison sentence he should be stripped of his U.S. citizenship and deported from the United States forever.