Should Congress make it easier for U.S. Armed Forces veterans to gain United States citizenship?

This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

This bill addresses noncitizen (or non-U.S. national) military veterans, including by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide lawful permanent resident status to a veteran subject to removal. The bill also requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Defense to take specified actions to facilitate opportunities for military recruits and veterans to obtain U.S. citizenship. The bill also establishes the Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on cases involving the removal of a servicemember, veteran, or certain family members of such an individual. Sponsor: Rep. Mark Takano (Democrat, California, District 41)
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Opponents say

 "Don’t be fooled by the bill’s name or the spin. It grants amnesty to service members’ illegal-alien relatives who haven’t served a day in their lives, creates a woke advisory board to undermine immigration courts, empowers Alejandro Mayorkas to cancel the deportation of criminal service members, and virtually eliminates the requirement that ne’er-do-well service members show “good moral character” to become citizens. While we honor the heroic service of our military and veterans, we don’t support using them as pawns to score political points for the radical Democratic base while throwing fuel on the fire at the border and endangering American communities." Source: FAIR

 

  "Under H.R. 7946, the Department of Homeland Security would be able to waive prior criminal convictions and accusations of "crimes of moral turpitude" for former members of the armed services. While a path exists for aliens who serve honorably, they must still abide by laws passed by Congress, including those that could result in their removal." Source: Numbers USA

Proponents say

  "Lawful permanent residents join the Armed Forces every year. These noncitizen service members are eligible to become U.S. citizens if they have honorably served in the U.S. military for at least one year and meet other basic requirements. However, while in service, federal agencies fail to provide service members with the tools and resources they need to help them adjust their status. As a result, veterans who later commit certain crimes can be deported. DHS has failed to keep track of the number of veterans who have been deported. Many service members and veterans have family members who are subject to deportation or who have been removed from the country. This burdens service members with additional worries, which is dangerous to our national security." Source: Senator Brown (Democrat, Ohio)


  "The “Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022” would finally ensure that noncitizen active-duty military, veterans, and their families are treated with the dignity and respect befitting the sacrifice they have given to this country. As we discussed at our hearing last month in the Immigration Subcommittee, immigrants have served in the U.S. armed forces in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War. Every day, 45,000 immigrants actively serving in the U.S. armed forces risk their lives in support of our country. While military service can offer an expedited pathway to naturalization, many noncitizen service members leave the military without becoming a U.S. citizen because of unnecessarily burdensome requirements that they must meet.  Further, many service members have family members who lack lawful status in the United States with no ability to adjust their status.  As a result, while our military personnel are deployed protecting U.S. global interests and keeping our nation safe, they must worry if their loved ones will be apprehended in an immigration raid and potentially be deported. We must do better by those who risk their lives to protect our country." Source: Rep. Jerry Nadler (Democrat, New York, District 10)


  "The Veteran Service Recognition Act protects noncitizen veterans from deportation & ensures they & their families will still receive their earned benefits if they are deported. It also expedites the process of naturalization for noncitizen service members." Source: The American Legion