S. 3144: Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2025

The Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2025 aims to support noncitizen veterans in the United States by establishing a formal program for their reintegration and protections against removal. Here are the key components of the bill:

Program for Veterans

The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a program to allow eligible veterans who are noncitizens to:

• Return to the United States as lawful permanent residents if they have been removed.
• Adjust their status to that of lawful permanent residents if they are currently in the United States.

Criteria for Eligible Veterans

To qualify, a veteran must:

• Be a noncitizen who has served in the armed forces.
• Not have been removed from the U.S. for committing a serious crime, defined as a "crime of violence".
• Meet other criteria established in the bill related to their service and conduct.

Removal Proceedings

The bill mandates the Attorney General to:

• Reopen removal proceedings for noncitizen veterans who have final orders of removal.
• Determine eligibility for those veterans and adjust their status if they qualify.

Protections Against Removal

Noncitizen veterans and service members cannot be removed from the United States unless they have been convicted of a crime of violence. The bill aims to prevent unjust removal of veterans who have served in the military.

Naturalization Pathway

Veterans who gain lawful permanent resident status through this bill will be eligible for naturalization based on their military service. The bill relaxes certain criteria regarding good moral character by disregarding removals for previously specified reasons, such as minor or non-violent offenses.

Access to Benefits

Noncitizen veterans who achieve lawful permanent residency will have access to military and veterans benefits as if they had never been ordered removed or faced inadmissibility. This provision ensures that veterans can receive the support they served for.

Regulatory Requirements

The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to establish regulations to implement this act within 90 days of enactment. This includes creating an application process and ensuring proper identification of at-risk noncitizen veterans in removal proceedings.

Identification and Records

The bill requires specific procedures to identify noncitizen service members and veterans at risk of removal, including ensuring that proper records are kept and marked for these individuals. This is aimed at preventing inadvertent removal from the U.S. and ensuring their status is properly documented.

No Numerical Limitations

The bill does not impose any numerical limits on the number of veterans who may be eligible for the benefits outlined, allowing all qualifying veterans to gain access.

Implementation Timeline

The Secretary must establish the program and application procedures within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This timeline aims to expedite the process for eligible veterans seeking to return or adjust their status.

Relevant Companies

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