WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), introduced the PROTECT Military Families Act, a bicameral bill that aims to protect military families from deportation and forced separation detrimental to military morale and mission readiness.
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“There is no higher betrayal to our heroes than to have one of their family members deported by the same nation they sacrificed to defend,” said Senator Duckworth. “In his ICE raids, Donald Trump is targeting servicemembers, Veterans and their loved ones—separating families who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country. Our legislation would help support our men and women who served by protecting their families from deportation. They fought for this country, and it’s past time Congress joins us to fight for them too.”
“Our servicemembers and veterans served our nation and dedicated their lives to protect American values and our freedoms—it is only fitting that we provide a pathway to protect their families,” said Rep. Cisneros. “Our Armed Forces deserve to keep their families together and feel safe in their communities. I am proud to introduce legislation with Senator Duckworth and our colleagues that will protect these families by providing a stable pathway to Parole in Place.”
The PROTECT Military Families Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole family members of qualifying current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It creates a mandatory pathway to Parole in Place (PIP) benefitting spouses, widows or widowers, parents or children of qualifying current or former U.S. Armed Forces members. Parole can be denied only if the Secretary jointly issues a detailed written justification for the denial with the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Along with Duckworth, this legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
