2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish A Process For Expedited
Naturalization Of Deported Veterans And Foreign-Born Military Members.
In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick
voted for the Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022, which would
"establish or codify procedures to provide for expedited naturalization
of noncitizen U.S. veterans. The bill would require U.S. Citizen and
Immigration Services, in coordination with the Defense Department, to
implement a program to allow all noncitizen servicemembers to apply for
naturalization at any point on or after their first day of active duty
service during a presidentially designated period of conflict with a
hostile foreign force. It would require DOD to ensure all military
recruiters are trained on the naturalization process and ensure that a
USCIS or DOD employee trained in immigration law is stationed at each
Military Entrance Processing Station to inform noncitizen recruits on
the process. It would also allow veterans honorably discharged after
active duty service during a designated contingency operation to be
naturalized under the same process. The bill would require the
Department of Homeland Security, within 180 days of enactment, to create
a protocol for identifying noncitizen veterans, create a system to
maintain information about such veterans and consider such information
before initiating any removal proceedings; establish a Military Family
Immigration Advisory Committee to review and provide recommendations
regarding any case involving removal proceedings for current
servicemembers, veterans or their immediate family members; and
establish an application and approval procedures to provide legal
permanent resident status for noncitizen veterans who have been deported
or ordered deported. The bill would also allow immediate relatives of
U.S. citizens who served at least two years in the military to apply for
legal permanent resident status." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 220-208. The Senate did not take further
action on the bill. [House Vote 503,
12/6/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/6/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7946]
The Bill Would Have Helped Deported Veterans Return To The U.S.
And Encouraged Foreign-Born Military Members To Apply For U.S.
Citizenship. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House
passed legislation Tuesday that would help deported military
veterans return to the U.S. and encourage foreign-born members of
the U.S. military to apply for American citizenship."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/6/22]
The Bill Would Have Allowed Immediate Relatives Of U.S. Citizens
Who Served A Minimum Of Two Years In The Military To Apply For Green
Cards. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would also
allow immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who served at least two
years in the military to apply for legal permanent resident status."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/6/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Veteran Service
Recognition Act Of 2022, Which Would Offer Naturalization Benefits To
Deported And Foreign-Born Veterans. In December 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the
rule (H Res 1508) that would provide for floor consideration of [...]
the Veteran Service Recognition Act (HR 7946). The bill would provide
for one hour of general debate and floor consideration of one amendment
to each bill." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House
adopted the rule by a vote of 215-201. The House did not take further
action on the bill. [House Vote 501,
12/6/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/6/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1508;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7946]
The Bill Would Have Offered Permanent Status To Certain Veterans
Who Experienced Deportation After They Served In The U.S.
Military. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The other bill
(HR 7946), led by Democratic Rep. Mark Takano of California, who
chairs the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, would offer
permanent status to certain U.S. military veterans who were deported
after they served." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/2/22]
The Bill Sought To Help Veterans Who Were Permanent Residents When
They Served In The Military But Their Status Was Revoked After A
Criminal Conviction, Such As A Drug Offense. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Many of these individuals were permanent
residents when they served but were later removed from the country
over a criminal conviction, including drug offenses."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/2/22]
The Bill Sought To Streamline The Citizenship Process For
Foreign-Born U.S. Military Members And Streamline For Residency
Process For Immigrant Relatives Of Active Military Members.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill also aims to ease
the citizenship process for foreign-born members of the U.S.
military and make it easier for the immigrant relatives of those
serving in active duty to apply for green cards." [Congressional
Quarterly, 12/2/22]