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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens
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View as web page:
[link removed]
Photo Credit: Hector Barajas
July 13, 2023
Contact: David Cruz - (818) 689-9991 Mobile
[email protected]
LULAC APPLAUDS REPRESENTATIVE MARK TAKANO ON THE INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN
LEGISLATION: THE VETERAN SERVICE RECOGNITION ACT
===========================================================================
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Calls on Congress to
Fulfill Its Promise to Our Military Heroes
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is urging
Congress to pass the Veteran Service Recognition Act to address the flaws in our
current immigration system, allowing individuals to apply for naturalization
during basic training, establishing a review process for those facing removal,
and an opportunity for noncitizen veterans who have been removed or ordered
removed, but not convicted of serious crimes, to obtain legal permanent resident
status.
Photo Credit:Laura Meza
"Congress must act swiftly and pass the Veteran Service Recognition Act," said
Domingo García, LULAC National President. "By doing so, they will honor the
commitment made to those who serve in our military and provide a fair and just
process for noncitizen veterans to obtain the legal status they deserve. This
legislation ensures that all members of our armed forces, regardless of their
immigration status, are treated with the dignity, respect, and gratitude they
have earned."
The bill successfully passed the House in the 117th Congress. Representative Mark
Takano, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has
steadfastly advocated for the cause. He states, "I have been fighting to prevent
noncitizen veterans from falling through the cracks of our broken immigration
system for years because it is shameful that they are being exiled from the same
country they risked their lives to protect and defend."
Photo Credit: Hector Barajas
"All Veterans deserve the benefits, rights, and privileges earned through
selfless service to our Nation," adds Leonard Gonzales," Vice Chair of the LULAC
Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. "We must ensure that current serving
legal permanent residents are naturalized and that a path for Veterans who have
been banished is created. America's honor and promise hangs in the balance," adds
Gonzales. Joining the effort, Representative Jerrold Nadler, Ranking Member of
the House Committee on the Judiciary, states, "Immigrants who serve in our
military should not have to worry about their immigration status. Every day,
these brave men and women risk their lives to support our country. In return, we
must honor their sacrifices by supporting them and their families and giving them
every opportunity to become U.S. citizens."
Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz echoes these sentiments. "If you fight and risk your
life for our country, you should be allowed to stay in our country. That's why
the Veteran Service Recognition Act aims to prevent the deportation of noncitizen
servicemembers and gives them due process in America and a fair shot at a pathway
to citizenship," says Ruiz. Representative Juan Vargas further emphasizes the
importance of honoring immigrant Veterans, highlighting that they deserve a
pathway to citizenship. He states, "People who serve our country deserve to stay
in our country, and we should not turn our backs on them."
Veterans from Left to Right: Raúl Rodríguez, Cipriano Arreola y Marcelino Ramos.
Photo Credit: Raul Rodriguez
The Veteran Service Recognition Act is an essential step toward rectifying the
barriers faced by noncitizen Veterans in accessing the care and benefits they've
rightfully earned. Representative Zoe Lofgren underlines the significance of this
legislation, stating, "Throughout our country's history, immigrants have served
in our military with bravery and distinction. However, sometimes, noncitizen
Veterans face barriers to accessing the care and benefits they've earned and have
even been deported despite their service to our country. That's unacceptable. Our
Veteran Service Recognition Act rights those wrongs."
The legislation has gained support from various organizations, including the
American Legion, UnidosUs, VoteVets, Union Veterans Council, ACLU, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, and LULAC. These organizations recognize the sacrifices made by
noncitizen veterans and the need to rectify the injustices they face.
# # #
About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and
oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans
and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000
councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and
advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of
today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .
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