To provide benefits for noncitizen members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022
This bill addresses immigration-related issues pertaining to noncitizen (or non-U.S. national) military veterans, including by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide lawful permanent resident status to a veteran subject to removal.
If a noncitizen veteran appears to be eligible for lawful permanent resident status under this bill, that veteran must receive a reasonable opportunity to apply for such status and may not be removed until there is a final administrative decision on the veteran's eligibility.
For the purposes of providing such status under this bill, DHS may waive any applicable grounds of inadmissibility, except for certain crime- or security-related grounds.
The bill also extends certain deadlines relating to obtaining citizenship after serving in the Armed Forces.
DHS must create a system for identifying noncitizens who are or may be veterans. Before initiating removal proceedings against a noncitizen, DHS must attempt to determine whether the noncitizen is a veteran. DHS must ensure that veteran status is considered in immigration proceedings.
The bill also requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Defense to take certain actions to facilitate opportunities for military recruits and veterans to obtain U.S. citizenship, such as by training Judge Advocate General Corps members to act as liaisons between the Armed Forces and USCIS on servicemember citizenship applications.
The bill also establishes the Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on cases involving the removal of a servicemember, veteran, or certain family members of a servicemember or veteran. Such an individual may not be removed until the committee has provided a recommendation to DHS about the individual's case, unless the individual is inadmissible due to a conviction for an aggravated felony.
The bill also waives certain grounds of inadmissibility (e.g., being unlawfully present in the United States) for certain noncitizens applying for lawful permanent resident status as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen who has served at least two years in the Armed Forces.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5553)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 16.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-558, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-558, Part I.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 400.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1508 Reported to House. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3648, under a structured rule and H.R. 7946, under a structured rule. The resolution waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII for a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to any resolution reported through the remainder of the 117th Congress.
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Rule H. Res. 1508 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1508. (consideration: CR H8763-8773; text: CR H8763-8765)
The resolution provides consideration of H.R. 3648, under a structured rule and H.R. 7946, under a structured rule. The resolution waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII for a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to any resolution reported through the remainder of the 117th Congress.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7946.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1508, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Vicente Gonzalez amendment no. 1.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 503).
Roll Call #503 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 503).
Roll Call #503 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.