Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000
PL 106-207 (H.R.371), enacted 05/26/2000

114 STAT. 316 
PUBLIC LAW 106-207—MAY 26, 2000 
Public Law 106-207 
106th Congress 
An Act 
May 26, 2000 
To facilitate the naturalization of aliens who served with special guerrilla units 
[H.R. 371] 
^^ irregular forces in Laos. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
Hmong Veterans' 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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Act of 2000. 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Hmong Veterans' Naturalization 
Act of 2000". 
8 u s e 1423 note. 
SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FROM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR 
CERTAIN ALIENS WHO SERVED WITH SPECIAL GUER-
RILLA UNITS OR IRREGULAR FORCES IN LAOS. 
The requirement of paragraph (1) of section 312(a) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1423(a)(1)) shall not 
apply to the naturalization of any person— 
(1) who— 
(A) was admitted into the United States as a refugee 
from Laos pursuant to section 207 of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157); and 
(B) served with a special guerrilla unit, or irregular 
forces, operating from a base in Laos in support of the 
United States military at any time during the period begin-
ning February 28, 1961, and ending September 18, 1978; 
or 
(2) who— 
(A) satisfies the requirement of paragraph (1)(A); and 
(B) was the spouse of a person described in paragraph 
(1) on the day on which such described person applied 
for admission into the United States as a refugee. 
8 u s e 1423 note. 
SEC. 3. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION CONCERNING CIVICS REQUIREMENT 
FOR CERTAIN ALIENS WHO SERVED WITH SPECIAL GUER-
RILLA UNITS OR IRREGULAR FORCES IN LAOS. 
The Attorney General shall provide for special consideration, 
as determined by the Attorney General, concerning the requirement 
of paragraph (2) of section 312(a) of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1423(a)(2)) with respect to the naturalization 
of any person described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2 of 
this Act. 
8 u s e 1423 note. 
SEC. 4. DOCUMENTATION OF QUALIFYING SERVICE. 
A person seeking an exemption under section 2 or special 
consideration under section 3 shall submit to the Attorney General 
documentation of their, or their spouse's, service with a special 
guerrilla unit, or irregular forces, described in section 2(1)(B), in 
the form o
f
— 
(1) original documents; 
(2) an affidavit of the serving person's superior officer; 
(3) two affidavits from other individuals who also were 
serving with such a special guerrilla unit, or irregular forces, 
and who personally knew of the person's service; or 
(4) other appropriate proof. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-207—MAY 26, 2000 
114 STAT. 317 
SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR EXEMPTION AND 
8 USC 1423 note. 
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. 
(a) In determining a person's eligibility for an exemption under 
section 2 or special consideration under section 3, the Attorney 
General— 
(1) shall review the refugee processing documentation for 
the person, or, in an appropriate case, for the person and 
the person's spouse, to verify that the requirements of section 
2 relating to refugee applications and admissions have been 
satisfied; 
(2) shall consider the documentation submitted by the 
person under section 4; 
(3) may request an advisory opinion from the Secretary 
of Defense regarding the person's, or their spouse's, service 
in a special guerrilla unit, or irregular forces, described in 
section 2(1)(B); and 
(4) may consider any documentation provided by organiza-
tions maintaining records with respect to Hmong veterans or 
their families. 
(b) The Secretary of Defense shall provide any opinion requested 
under paragraph (3) to the extent practicable, and the Attorney 
General shall take into account any opinion that the Secretary 
of Defense is able to provide. 
SEC. 6. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION AND PAYMENT OF FEES. 
8 USC 1423 note. 
This Act shall apply to a person only if the person's application 
for naturalization is filed, as provided in section 334 of the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1445), with appropriate fees 
not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 7. LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES. 
8 USC 1423 note. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the total num-
ber of aliens who may be granted an exemption under section 
2 or special consideration under section 3, or both, may not exceed 
45,000. 
Approved May 26, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 371: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-563 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
May 2, considered and passed House. 
May 18, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
May 23, House concurrea in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 36 (2000): 
May 26, Presidential statement. 
79-194 O - 00 - 12 : QL 3 Part 1