Bill Overview
Title: Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022
Description: 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.
Sponsors: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Target Audience
Population: Noncitizen military veterans facing immigration issues
Estimated Size: 8000
- The bill specifically targets noncitizen military veterans, focusing on those who are subject to removal from the United States but may be eligible for lawful permanent resident status.
- The bill impacts noncitizen veterans by providing a legal pathway to attain legal permanent residency, thereby potentially securing their residency in the U.S.
- It extends deadlines related to citizenship acquisition for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, thus impacting their long-term citizenship status.
- The bill introduces new requirements for DHS to identify and consider veteran status before initiating removal proceedings, which will likely affect noncitizen veterans who are at risk of deportation.
- Family members of veterans may also be impacted as the bill includes provisions for their potential adjustment and waivers for certain grounds of inadmissibility, strengthening the family unit stability for those related to U.S. veterans.
Reasoning
- The focus is on noncitizen military veterans who may be under risk of deportation and the associated challenges with their legal status. This population is diverse, covering a range of countries of origin, ages, military service terms, and family situations.
- I selected a mix of individuals directly impacted by deportation risks and family stability due to immigration challenges. The focus is also on those who served in various capacities from active combat roles to support roles in the military.
- There is a need to capture perspectives from both veterans directly affected by potential deportation and those whose citizenship or residency status is tied with their service. Additionally, family impacts were considered seriously in the simulated scenarios.
- The policy's budget and impact are substantial enough to affect several thousand individuals but given the estimated target population of 8,000 in the immediate cohort, the aim was to capture various levels of impact—none, low, medium, high.
Simulated Interviews
Electrician (San Diego, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I served this country with pride and it feels unfair to be under constant fear of deportation.
- This policy gives me hope that my service will be acknowledged and I can finally feel secure here.
- My main concern is staying with my family and providing for them without the constant stress of legal uncertainties.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Administrative Assistant (El Paso, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bureaucracy has been challenging, and the risk of being separated from my family is real.
- This bill could be the solution I've been waiting for to stabilize our life here.
- Access to legal residency would ease so much pressure on my family and career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Freelance Writer (Miami, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Right now, my scores are impacts more by anxiety on legal status than anything else.
- The policy would let me focus on rebuilding my life without the fear of being deported.
- Despite serving, it often feels like I'm on unstable ground here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extended deadlines for citizenship application would benefit my case significantly.
- It's a relief to know the government acknowledges veteran contributions to this extent.
- I hope for a smooth processing of my application soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Construction Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have served my time, and it would mean a lot if my service would guarantee my stay.
- This policy is the chance of hope my family needs.
- Living with constant fear of deportation is overwhelming.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Defense Contractor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy helps, but it is frustrating waiting for reviews and paperwork.
- Being potentially deported despite a family and life built here is daunting.
- Hopes for streamlining the citizenship process as indicated in the bill.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Security Specialist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing I might not be deported gives immense relief.
- The military has been a significant part of my life, and this bill acknowledges my contributions.
- Hopes the policy passes swiftly to prevent interruption in my residency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Healthcare Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel hopeful that my service can secure our family's place here.
- Ensuring legal residency is a long-desired stability anchor for our future.
- Raising a family has its challenges, and this policy alleviates some worries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without this opportunity, I worried post-graduation opportunities would retract.
- This policy sounds like progress for those forgotten post service.
- The path to citizenship seems less obstructed, allowing focus on education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Maintenance Engineer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This proposed policy could reverse my deportation order and secure a stable future.
- Feeling abandoned after service, it's assuring to see efforts righting wrongs.
- Hoping this saves others in similar situations and gives deserved security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $41000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54080000 (Low: $42500000, High: $64500000)
Year 5: $59440640 (Low: $46025000, High: $70585000)
Year 10: $72644362 (Low: $56590535, High: $85943000)
Year 100: $1139992549 (Low: $880524442, High: $1336503705)
Key Considerations
- The number of noncitizen veterans and the percentage eligible for permanent status under the bill are pivotal for cost estimates.
- Bill implementation success rests on the cooperation and coordination between DHS, USCIS, and the Department of Defense.
- Potential changes in law or policy affecting deportations or naturalizations might impact cost projections.