Booker Introduces Bill to Protect Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families from Deportation

Statement

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would prevent the Trump Administration from deporting the immediate family members of U.S. soldiers and veterans. Specifically, the Protecting Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families Act would prohibit the deportation of the spouses, parents, children, or siblings of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans who served in active duty who were discharged in conditions other than dishonorable, and servicemembers who died in the line of duty if they have not committed a serious crime. The bill follows reports that the Trump Administration is scaling back the Parole in Place program, which protects undocumented military family members from deportation.

An estimated 11,800 people currently serving in the U.S. military are dealing with a spouse or family member who is facing deportation.

"We owe the members and veterans of our Armed Forces a debt of gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice in service to our country," Booker said. "The Trump Administration's scaling back of the Parole in Place program is unnecessary, cruel, and certainly not how we should be thanking those who have selflessly defended the United States. This common-sense legislation would keep military families together and prohibit the Trump Administration from continuing to advance their xenophobic immigration agenda."

"The Trump Administration's actions to deport veterans and family members -- even in violation of federal law and their own policies -- is disturbing," Gallego said. "Parole in place ensures that our members of the military who are risking their lives every single day don't have to worry about their loved ones back home getting rounded up and deported by the Trump administration. Ending this program would undermine the readiness of our armed forces, hurt morale, and demonize military families who sacrifice every day for their loved ones serving our nation. I want to thank Sen. Booker for his leadership in introducing this important legislation in the Senate. Working together, we can ensure that military and gold star families are protected from deportation."

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