Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening Citizenship Services for Veterans Act
Description: This bill directs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure that various naturalization-related services are available at a U.S. port of entry, embassy, or consulate that is accessible to noncitizen veterans. Specifically, USCIS must ensure that naturalization examinations, biometric collections, and naturalization ceremonies are available at such locations for noncitizen veterans. Such services must be available to a noncitizen veteran who has been removed from the United States or is inadmissible.
Sponsors: Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-51]
Target Audience
Population: Noncitizen veterans of the U.S. armed forces
Estimated Size: 20000
- The bill directly affects noncitizen veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces.
- Noncitizen veterans may have been removed from the U.S. or declared inadmissible but will now have access to naturalization services abroad.
- Considering the large amount of immigrants serving in the U.S. military, a percentage of those may not be U.S. citizens.
- Historical statistics suggest there are thousands of noncitizen veterans affected by deportation or inadmissibility due to various factors.
Reasoning
- The primary population impacted by this policy are the noncitizen veterans, who are a unique and specific subset of people having served in the U.S. military who have been deported or are living abroad due to inadmissibility issues but wish to become U.S. citizens.
- The budget constraints indicate that not all noncitizen veterans can be affected initially, but potentially significant numbers over the decade-long implementation.
- Naturalization services abroad reduce travel and legal burdens, which can substantially improve wellbeing for the veterans themselves and potentially their families.
- The U.S. citizens indirectly affected would be those with familial ties to these veterans, impacting American homes connected to this population.
- Given the budget limit and servicing capacity, the immediate concern is the logistical feasibility of executing services in several strategic global locations.
Simulated Interviews
Security Guard (Mexico)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will finally give me a chance to naturalize despite being deported.
- I am hopeful about reconnecting with my family in the U.S.
- I worry about the actual availability and cost of these resources abroad.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired (South Korea)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I never thought I'd see the day this service was offered.
- Returning for citizenship legally would allow me to live with my children again.
- I am unsure if the budget will allow service in my region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Tech Support (Philippines)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This would make the naturalization process accessible to someone in my situation.
- I await the speed and effectiveness of these services reaching my country.
- My family's future depends on this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Nurse (Germany)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am optimistic about acquiring citizenship finally.
- This route is less expensive than litigation.
- I fear U.S. control on the pace of services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Canada)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If realized, this policy would help many like myself.
- It strengthens my sense of belonging to U.S.
- Concerns persist regarding timely rollout.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Vietnam)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could represent closure at my age.
- I'm apprehensive but willing to be hopeful.
- Concerns with accessibility for elder veterans like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Engineer (Italy)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting services abroad can change our life path.
- It's potentially transformative and less stressful.
- I'm worried about the complexity and success rate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher (United Kingdom)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this policy will mean reunification.
- Providing services in accessible locations makes it feasible.
- Not everyone may benefit if not properly executed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Chef (Japan)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policy could help veterans improve their status.
- Finally, the sacrifices made will be recognized.
- I'm interested in the follow-through and real impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Student (United States)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help family reunification.
- I wish the policy had come sooner when more immediate.
- The logistics and support for families in the U.S. are unclear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $36000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $47000000)
Year 3: $37000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $48000000)
Year 5: $39000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $50000000)
Year 10: $43000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $55000000)
Year 100: $86000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $110000000)
Key Considerations
- The logistical setting up of service points for naturalization processes abroad could face political and logistical challenges.
- Collaboration between domestic agencies like USCIS and foreign outposts will require streamlining to ensure security and efficiency.
- The policy will require sustained funding beyond initial setup to ensure continued operation and staff training.
- Legal challenges and cooperation with foreign governments may impact how effectively these services are deployed.