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Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-2265| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2021
Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (6)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (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 2021 This bill provides permanent resident status and citizenship eligibility to certain noncitizen veterans and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish a program that allows (1) eligible noncitizen veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as permanent residents, and (2) eligible noncitizen veterans in the United States to obtain permanent resident status. Generally, an eligible noncitizen veteran under this bill is one who was not removed from the United States for certain crimes related to violence or national security. DHS may waive these eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. A noncitizen veteran who obtains permanent resident status under this bill shall be eligible for (1) naturalization through service in the Armed Forces, and (2) military and veterans benefits as if they had not been removed (or ordered removed) from the United States. For a noncitizen veteran in removal proceedings or subject to a final removal order, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must determine whether the veteran is eligible for permanent resident status under this bill. If the veteran is eligible, DOJ must adjust the veteran's status. The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the United States unless the veteran has been convicted of a crime of violence.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-1041
Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019
Jun 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4137
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-1041
    Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019


  • June 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4137
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4137: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2021
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 2021

USA117th CongressS-2265| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2021
Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2021 This bill provides permanent resident status and citizenship eligibility to certain noncitizen veterans and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish a program that allows (1) eligible noncitizen veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as permanent residents, and (2) eligible noncitizen veterans in the United States to obtain permanent resident status. Generally, an eligible noncitizen veteran under this bill is one who was not removed from the United States for certain crimes related to violence or national security. DHS may waive these eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. A noncitizen veteran who obtains permanent resident status under this bill shall be eligible for (1) naturalization through service in the Armed Forces, and (2) military and veterans benefits as if they had not been removed (or ordered removed) from the United States. For a noncitizen veteran in removal proceedings or subject to a final removal order, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must determine whether the veteran is eligible for permanent resident status under this bill. If the veteran is eligible, DOJ must adjust the veteran's status. The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the United States unless the veteran 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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-1041
Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019
Jun 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4137
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-1041
    Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019


  • June 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4137
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (6)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4137: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2021
  • 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