Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
Restores lawful permanent residence and a clear path to naturalization for veterans who were removed from the United States or face removal. It would create a Department of Homeland Security program to admit eligible veterans abroad or adjust status for eligible veterans in the U.S., set eligibility rules and waivers, and require quick implementation and recordkeeping.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Restore VA and military benefits
If enacted, noncitizen veterans who obtain lawful permanent resident status under the program would be eligible for military and VA benefits they would have had before removal or inadmissibility. Those veterans could also pursue naturalization through Armed Forces service. The Secretary would ignore some removal or inadmissibility grounds and absences caused by removal when checking moral character and residence for service-based naturalization.
Path to green card for veterans
If enacted, the Secretary would set up a program within 180 days to let eligible noncitizen veterans apply for lawful permanent residence. The Attorney General would review and reopen or end certain removal cases within 180 days so eligible veterans could be adjusted to LPR. The Secretary could waive some disqualifying convictions for humanitarian reasons, family unity, exceptional service, or public interest. The program would not have a numerical cap on how many veterans may participate.
Strong removal protections for veterans
If enacted, a noncitizen who is a veteran or service member could not be removed from the United States unless convicted of a defined crime of violence. The bill would treat a crime of violence as an offense listed in 18 U.S.C. 16(a) that is not purely political and for which the person served at least 5 years in prison. Before starting removal proceedings, officials would ask about past or current military service and ICE would need supervisory approval to proceed against a service member or veteran.
Agency rules and record changes for veterans
If enacted, the Secretary would issue implementing regulations within 90 days. DHS would add notes to immigration and naturalization records for identified service members and veterans. Notes must list branch, whether service was during hostilities, enlistment status, whether service was honorable, removal grounds, and relevant convictions. The agency would also track outcomes for people identified under the law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov