Rep. Takai Introduces Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act

Press Release

Rep. Mark Takai today introduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act -- his first bill since becoming a member of Congress. Consistent with Takai's call for bipartisan cooperation, the bill is cosponsored by a Republican colleague on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV).

"I chose this bill as my first to introduce in the new Congress for two reasons," Takai said. "First, to make good on our obligation to take care of our Filipino veterans of World War II by helping them to reunite with their children. And second, to make good on my promise to work in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues across the aisle on issues where we find common ground."

The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would lift limitations on immigrant visas and restrictions for children of certain Filipino World War II veterans.

Takai gave his first speech on the floor of the House today, in support of the bill.

Takai said afterward: "I am pleased that my colleague Rep. Joe Heck has joined me to follow through on an effort that President Truman once described as a 'moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of Philippine Army veterans.' This measure would continue to solidify our nation's commitment to our service members and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today."

Heck added: "Like all veterans, our brave Filipino-American World War II veterans deserve to live out their years surrounded by their family members. This bill will help make that a reality by granting their children an exemption in the immigration process and expediting their path toward U.S. citizenship. It's the least we could do for these men who served alongside American troops and helped us win the war in the Pacific theater. I commend my colleague Congressman Mark Takai for carrying this bill forward in the 114th Congress, and look forward to working with him to get it passed."

President George H. Bush signed the Immigration Act of 1990, which offered citizenship to Filipino veterans of World War II but did not include their immediate families. The Filipino Family Reunification Act would seek to expedite the process by which children of Filipino veterans are able to achieve U.S. citizenship, by exemptions to the family visa program.

Takai is also a cosponsor of H.R. 315, a bill that would direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a process for Filipino veterans to receive compensation even if their name is not included on current federal records, but they hold other forms of documentation.

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