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Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1041| Senate 
| Updated: 4/4/2019
Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (4)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019 This bill implements procedures relating to the legal permanent resident status of noncitizen veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a program that allows (1) eligible veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and (2) eligible veterans in the United States to adjust their status to that of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. If noncitizen aliens obtain this status, they shall be eligible for naturalization through service in the Armed Forces. Additionally, they are eligible for military and veterans benefits as if they had not been ordered removed or removed from the United States. The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reopen removal proceedings for noncitizen veterans who are subjects of final orders of removal, make a determination with respect to whether such noncitizen veterans are eligible veterans who may be lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and adjust the status of eligible veterans. A noncitizen veteran shall be eligible if DHS or DOJ determines the noncitizen veteran was not removed or ordered removed, and is not inadmissible or deportable, based on a conviction for a crime of violence or a crime that endangers national security for which the veteran has served at least five years in prison. DHS may waive eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the country unless the noncitizen has been convicted of a crime of violence.
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Timeline
Apr 4, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Apr 4, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 15, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2098
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • April 4, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 4, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 15, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2098
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2098: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019
Border security and unlawful immigrationCitizenship and naturalizationGovernment information and archivesImmigration status and proceduresMilitary personnel and dependentsVeterans' organizations and recognitionVeterans' pensions and compensation

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1041| Senate 
| Updated: 4/4/2019
Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019 This bill implements procedures relating to the legal permanent resident status of noncitizen veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a program that allows (1) eligible veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and (2) eligible veterans in the United States to adjust their status to that of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. If noncitizen aliens obtain this status, they shall be eligible for naturalization through service in the Armed Forces. Additionally, they are eligible for military and veterans benefits as if they had not been ordered removed or removed from the United States. The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reopen removal proceedings for noncitizen veterans who are subjects of final orders of removal, make a determination with respect to whether such noncitizen veterans are eligible veterans who may be lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and adjust the status of eligible veterans. A noncitizen veteran shall be eligible if DHS or DOJ determines the noncitizen veteran was not removed or ordered removed, and is not inadmissible or deportable, based on a conviction for a crime of violence or a crime that endangers national security for which the veteran has served at least five years in prison. DHS may waive eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the country unless the noncitizen has been convicted of a crime of violence.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 4, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Apr 4, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 15, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2098
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • April 4, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 4, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 15, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2098
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (4)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2098: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Border security and unlawful immigrationCitizenship and naturalizationGovernment information and archivesImmigration status and proceduresMilitary personnel and dependentsVeterans' organizations and recognitionVeterans' pensions and compensation