DUCKWORTH, WYDEN RE-INTRODUCE BILL TO HELP DEPORTED VETERANS GAIN CITIZENSHIP

Statement

Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) today re-introduced the Strengthening Citizenship Services for Veterans Act to help ensure that deported Veterans who have successfully completed the preliminary naturalization process can attend their citizenship interview at a port of entry, embassy or consulate without navigating the complex process of advance parole. The proposal would facilitate access to all of the steps of the naturalization process for deported Veterans, which will allow many Veterans to finally become citizens and return to the country they bravely served. Companion legislation is expected to be re-introduced soon in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA-51).

"Far too many Veterans who have been cruelly deported by the same nation they sacrificed to defend have been unable to attend their citizenship interviews because of ambiguous federal policies that keep them from re-entering the country," Duckworth said. "This legislation would help ensure these Veterans receive a fair chance at gaining citizenship without unnecessary delays that prevent them from reuniting with their families."

"That any veterans of our military have been deported by the same country they fought to defend is unacceptable. They deserve and have earned a fair process in their efforts to become citizens," Wyden said. "We need to right this wrong and undo obscure federal policies that prevent our nation's veterans from re-entering the country so they can complete their citizenship process and get back home to their families as quickly as possible."

"A number of the brave men and women who fought to protect our nation and freedom are immigrants," said Vargas. "It's unacceptable that those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice are unable to return to our country. Our deported veterans deserve to come home."

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