PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 8, 2021
Veterans' Pathway to Citizenship Act of 2021
This bill waives certain requirements for eligible noncitizens seeking U.S. citizenship through service in the Armed Forces and addresses related issues.
Currently, a noncitizen who served honorably during a designated period of hostilities may acquire citizenship on an expedited basis, subject to certain requirements.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Under this bill, such a noncitizen shall be deemed to be a lawful permanent resident and to have fulfilled all residency and physical presence requirements for naturalization purposes if that noncitizen meets all other naturalization requirements.
In addition, for such a noncitizen seeking naturalization, any prior removals from the United States shall not affect the noncitizen's eligibility for any immigration benefit or in determining whether the alien is deportable or inadmissible. Similarly, if such a noncitizen has received a pardon for an offense, that offense shall not affect the noncitizen's naturalization application unless the pardoned offense led to the noncitizen's separation from the Armed Forces in any manner other than honorable.
Furthermore, when a noncitizen becomes eligible for naturalization through military service during hostilities, the Department of Homeland Security shall notify the noncitizen and submit an application on the noncitizen's behalf, unless the noncitizen requests otherwise.
If a noncitizen is eligible for citizenship through this path but had filed an untimely application, that application shall be treated as timely and reviewed. This provision shall be in effect for a one-year period starting from this bill's enactment.
People & committees
Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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