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HR 2098 116th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Border security and unlawful immigration Citizenship and naturalization Government information and archives Immigration status and procedures Military personnel and dependents Veterans' organizations and recognition Veterans' pensions and compensation

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019

Introduced: October 4, 2019 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 15, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Apr 29, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 5, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Apr 4, 2019
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 4, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2021

This bill provides permanent resident status and citizenship eligibility to certain noncitizen veterans and addresses related issues.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish a program that allows (1) eligible noncitizen veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as permanent residents, and (2) eligible noncitizen veterans in the United States to obtain permanent resident status. 

Generally, an eligible noncitizen veteran under this bill is one who was not removed from the United States for certain crimes related to violence or national security. DHS may waive these eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons.

A noncitizen veteran who obtains permanent resident status under this bill shall be eligible for (1) naturalization through service in the Armed Forces, and (2) military and veterans benefits as if they had not been removed (or ordered removed) from the United States.

For a noncitizen veteran in removal proceedings or subject to a final removal order, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must determine whether the veteran is eligible for permanent resident status under this bill. If the veteran is eligible, DOJ must adjust the veteran's status.

The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the United States unless the veteran has been convicted of a crime of violence.

What's happening now May 15, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1041 Related bill Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 5
Vela, Filemon
· Oct 4, 2019
 D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Jun 11, 2019
 D
Omar, Ilhan
Minnesota · Jun 11, 2019
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · May 17, 2019
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · May 17, 2019
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · May 17, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2098: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2098/
MLA
"H.R. 2098: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2098/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2098, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2098/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2098: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2098/)
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