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119-hr-3524119th Congress

Protect Patriot Spouses Act

Sponsored By: Representative Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

Introduced

Summary

Expanded adjustment of status for certain military spouses. The bill would let spouses of U.S. citizens who are serving or served on active duty or in the reserves seek lawful permanent residence even if they lack formal admission or face some inadmissibility bars. It would let the Secretary of Homeland Security waive some additional inadmissibility grounds in individual cases and it would create a temporary nonimmigrant reunification program for spouses removed or abroad while immigrant petitions are pending.

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  • Military spouses: Spouses who are beneficiaries of immediate relative petitions based on marriage to a U.S. citizen service member would be treated as eligible for adjustment of status and would not be subject to specified inadmissibility bars.
  • Waivers and standards: The Secretary of Homeland Security may waive other inadmissibility grounds if the spouse demonstrates they do not pose a public or national security threat and have no criminal offenses unrelated to their status.
  • Reunification for removed or abroad spouses: People who left or were removed before enactment could seek immigrant visas abroad and may be admitted temporarily as nonimmigrants to reunite with their U.S. citizen spouse while adjudications proceed.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Easier green cards for military spouses

If enacted, some spouses of U.S. citizen service members would have a clearer path to a green card. You would be treated as if you entered with inspection, so you could apply inside the United States. Bars for entry without papers, missing documents, and unlawful presence would not apply. DHS could also waive certain misrepresentation and prior removal bars if you show no public safety risk and no crimes unrelated to status. To qualify, you must be a current or former spouse of a U.S. citizen who serves or served on active duty or in the reserves, with any discharge being honorable, and you must be the beneficiary of an immediate-relative spousal petition. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Military spouses abroad can apply and rejoin

If enacted, eligible military spouses who were removed or left the U.S. before this bill could apply from abroad for an immigrant visa under these rules. While your case is pending, DHS and the State Department could let you enter the U.S. temporarily to live with your U.S. citizen spouse. You would need to show you are not a public or national security risk. For temporary entry, DHS could waive some inadmissibility bars case by case. These options would start upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

FL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2025

  • Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/20/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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