# Plain Language Summary: Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

This bill protects noncitizen members of the military from being deported and makes it easier for them to become U.S. citizens. The core idea is straightforward: if someone serves in the U.S. Armed Forces, their military service should count for something in immigration proceedings, and they shouldn't face removal without special consideration.

Here's what actually happens under this bill. If a noncitizen soldier, sailor, or airperson faces deportation, immigration officials must identify them as military-connected before any removal hearing. Once identified, their case gets sent to a special Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee made up of military lawyers and personnel from each branch of the armed forces. This committee has 30 days to review the case and recommend whether the person should be allowed to stay, apply for asylum, get deferred action (a temporary reprieve from deportation), or be removed. Importantly, the person cannot be deported until this committee reviews their case and makes its recommendation. The committee considers factors like whether the person took an oath, received military medals, was deployed overseas, or served honorably. The bill also protects family members of military personnel and veterans who are in removal proceedings.

The bill creates a tracking system so that military service is flagged across all immigration agencies and doesn't get overlooked. It also requires the government to study how many noncitizen veterans have been deported since 1990 and why, and it establishes a streamlined path to citizenship for noncitizens currently serving on active duty. If someone does get deported despite their military service, they're entitled to the same veterans' benefits as a U.S. citizen veteran would receive. Essentially, this bill says that military service creates a special obligation to consider someone's contributions before removing them from the country.

Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

Takano, Mark

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.