Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill creates a new visa program that allows noncitizen veterans and service members who have been removed from the United States to return and become permanent residents. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish an application process within 180 days and directs the Attorney General to reopen removal cases for veterans to determine if they qualify, with eligible veterans having their removal orders rescinded and their status adjusted to lawful permanent resident. The legislation protects noncitizen active service members and veterans from removal unless they have been convicted of crimes of violence, and it allows qualifying veterans to pursue naturalization and access military benefits they would have received if they had not been removed. The bill specifically carves out exceptions for crimes of violence and national security threats, though it allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive these restrictions for humanitarian reasons, family unity, exceptional military service, or public interest. There is no cap on the number of veterans who can benefit from this program, and the Secretary must implement regulations within 90 days of enactment.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.