Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

Bill: 117-hr-1182
Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2021-02-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
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

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-18
text: 

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. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-29
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-18
text: Referred 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.
action_date: 2021-02-18
text: Referred 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.
action_date: 2021-02-18
text: Referred 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.
action_date: 2021-02-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-02-18
text: Introduced in House