2022: Schweikert Voted Against Establishing A Process For Expedited Naturalization Of Deported Veterans And Foreign-Born Military Members. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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]