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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7298 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7298

  To provide for a pilot program to accord lawful permanent residence.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 7, 2024

  Mr. Ryan (for himself and Mr. James) introduced the following bill; 
          which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To provide for a pilot program to accord lawful permanent residence.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Courage to Serve Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a pilot 
program (hereinafter in this Act referred to as ``the program'') to 
provide for an expedited process for adjustment of status for certain 
aliens.
    (b) Eligibility.--An alien is eligible to participate in the 
program if the alien--
            (1) successfully completes a background investigation 
        conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
            (2) submits an application for participation in the program 
        at such time, in such form, and including such information as 
        the Secretary may by rule require; and
            (3) as of the date of application to the program--
                    (A) has--
                            (i) no lawful status under the immigration 
                        laws; or
                            (ii) temporary protected status under 
                        section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality 
                        Act;
                    (B) is not inadmissible to the United States; and
                    (C) is otherwise eligible for enlistment in the 
                Armed Forces.
    (c) Expedited Process.--In the case of a participant in the 
program, the following shall apply:
            (1) Not later than 180 days after the date of enlistment in 
        the Armed Forces, the participant shall submit an application 
        for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted 
        for permanent residency, at such time, in such form, and 
        including such information as the Secretary may by rule 
        require.
            (2) The Secretary shall provide technical assistance with 
        the preparation of an application referred to under paragraph 
        (1).
            (3) If the alien completes 3 years of honorable service in 
        the Armed Forces or if the alien completes 1 year of honorable 
        service in an active-duty status in the Armed Forces or if the 
        alien completes 30-days of honorable service in a designated 
        combat zone, the Secretary shall provide expedited 
        consideration of such an application.
    (d) Not Subject to Numerical Limitations.--An alien whose status is 
adjusted to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency 
under this section is not subject to the worldwide levels or numerical 
limitations of section 201(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
    (e) Status During Participation.--A participant in the program may 
not be detained under the immigration laws, and no removal proceeding 
may be commenced or continued against such participant.
    (f) Effect on Other Immigration Benefits.--Nothing in this Act may 
be construed to provide that application to or participation in the 
program precludes an alien from applying for asylum or parole.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Terms used have the meanings given such terms in 
        section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
            (2) The term ``Armed Forces'' means the Army, Navy, Marine 
        Corps, Space Force, and Air Force, including the reserve 
        components.
            (3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security.
                                 <all>
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