HR-7946 : Still Just a Bill

Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022

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 such an individual.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2022-12-07IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Senate
2022-12-06FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2022-12-06VoteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 503).House floor actions
2022-12-06FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1508, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Vicente Gonzalez amendment no. 1.House floor actions
2022-12-06FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7946.House floor actions
2022-12-06FloorThe resolution provides consideration of H.R. 3648, under a structured rule and H.R. 7946, under a structured rule. The resolution waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII for a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to any resolution reported through the remainder of the 117th Congress.House floor actions
2022-12-06FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1508. (consideration: CR H8763-8773; text: CR H8763-8765)House floor actions
2022-12-06FloorRule H. Res. 1508 passed House.House floor actions
2022-12-06FloorRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1508 Reported to House. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3648, under a structured rule and H.R. 7946, under a structured rule. The resolution waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII for a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to any resolution reported through the remainder of the 117th Congress.House floor actions
2022-11-15CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 400.House floor actions
2022-11-15DischargeCommittee on Armed Services discharged.House floor actions
2022-11-15DischargeCommittee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.House floor actions
2022-11-15CommitteeReported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-558, Part I.House floor actions
2022-07-27CommitteeOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 16.House committee actions
2022-07-27CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services, 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.House floor actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services, 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.House floor actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services, 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.House floor actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Immigration
See Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Advisory bodies
  • Citizenship and naturalization
  • Computers and information technology
  • Congressional oversight
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Employment and training programs
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Immigration status and procedures
  • Military personnel and dependents

Related Bills

See Related Bills