Skip to main content
Federal & State Lawfederalstatelaw.com
Home/Federal/Bills (Live)
HOUSE 1182117th CongressSubcommittee Hearings Held.

Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

Last Action
3/29/2022

Actions

  • 2022-03-29Subcommittee Hearings Held.
  • 2021-04-28Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • 2021-03-22Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • 2021-02-18Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services, 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.
  • 2021-02-18Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services, 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.
  • 2021-02-18Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services, 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.
  • 2021-02-18Introduced in House
  • 2021-02-18Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2021-02-18 (00)

Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

This bill provides protections from deportation for noncitizen veterans and contains other related provisions.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must identify each individual in removal proceedings who is a member of the Armed Forces, a veteran, or a noncitizen spouse or minor child of such an individual. That individual may not be removed until (1) ICE has transferred that individual's case files to an advisory committee created under this bill, and (2) that committee has provided recommendations as to the outcome of the case.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall create a system to share information across various agencies about noncitizen veterans who may be subject to removal to ensure that such a veteran's military service is taken into consideration in immigration-related cases. DHS shall also create a system for (1) identifying noncitizens who are or may be veterans, and (2) collecting data relating to such noncitizens who are in removal proceedings or may have been removed.

DHS and the Department of Defense must jointly carry out a program to naturalize a noncitizen (and the noncitizen's spouse and minor children) who serves on active duty in the Armed Forces and is not otherwise ineligible for citizenship if that noncitizen submits an application.

DHS shall also establish a program for eligible noncitizen veterans (generally those not convicted for certain serious crimes) to obtain permanent resident status. Similarly, the Department of Justice shall provide permanent resident status to such an eligible veteran in removal proceedings or subject to a final order of removal.

Cosponsors (20)

  • Juan Vargas (D-CA)
  • Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
  • Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
  • Dina Titus (D-NV)
  • Gwen Moore (D-WI)
  • Nanette Barragan (D-CA)
  • Bill Foster (D-IL)
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
  • Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
  • JAMES MCGOVERN (D-MA)
  • J. Correa (D-CA)
  • ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
  • Val Demings (D-FL)
  • Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
  • ALCEE HASTINGS (D-FL)
  • Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)
  • GRACE NAPOLITANO (D-CA)
  • Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
  • BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
  • JANICE SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL)

Subjects

  • Administrative remedies
  • Advisory bodies
  • Border security and unlawful immigration
  • Citizenship and naturalization
  • Congressional oversight
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Employment and training programs
  • Family relationships
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Immigration status and procedures
  • Military personnel and dependents
  • National Guard and reserves
  • Veterans' pensions and compensation
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.