Ahead of Memorial Day, Rep. Grijalva Introduces Veterans Visa and Protection Act to Protect Immigrant Veterans from Deportation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva introduced the Veterans Visa and Protection Act, legislation to protect immigrant veterans from deportation, create a pathway for deported veterans to return to the United States, and ensure veterans can access the healthcare and benefits they earned through military service. In 2024, the Department of Defense reported that approximately 40,000 foreign nationals were serving in the active and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces. Foreign-born veterans make up roughly 4.5% of the total veteran population.

While outside organizations estimate there could be thousands of deported veterans, the true number remains unknown because ICE does not comprehensively track this data. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that “ICE also does not maintain complete electronic data on these veterans. As a result, ICE does not know how many veterans have been placed in immigration removal proceedings or removed." While many lawful permanent residents serve honorably in the U.S. military, service alone does not automatically grant citizenship. Some service members mistakenly believe their enlistment oath confers citizenship, while others are discharged before completing the naturalization process, leaving them vulnerable to detention and deportation.   

“Those who wear the uniform should never be abandoned by us. Yet far too many of our nation’s veterans have been deported after completing their service,” said Representative Grijalva. “This legislation makes clear that if you were willing to serve and risk your life for this country, you should not be treated as disposable. This is about honor, fairness, and keeping our promise to those who served.”

The Veterans Visa and Protection Act would establish a visa program allowing deported veterans to return to the United States and pursue citizenship, while extending military and veterans benefits to eligible individuals who would otherwise qualify if they had not been deported. The legislation is aimed at addressing longstanding concerns raised by immigrant veterans, military families, and advocacy organizations.

The text of the legislation is available here.

A one-pager explaining the bill is available here.

You can see a video statement here.