WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation that would prevent the deportation of immediate family members of U.S. soldiers and veterans. Specifically, the Protecting Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families Act would prohibit the deportation of spouses, parents, children, or siblings of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans who served in active duty who were discharged in conditions other than dishonorable, and service members who died in the line of duty if they have not committed a serious crime. Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

 

Tae Johnson, Interim Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), rolled back the previous administration’s heinous immigration policies by directing ICE agents to refrain from seeking the deportation of U.S. military veterans or service members and their immediate family members.

Although many families have been reunited under the Biden administration’s family reunification taskforce created in February 2021, there are an estimated 11,800 people currently serving in the U.S. military who have a spouse or family member who could potentially face deportation if the former administration’s policies were re-implemented by a future administration. 

“We owe the members and veterans of our Armed Forces a debt of gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice in service to our country,” said Senator Booker. “I applaud the Biden Administration for reversing many of the previous administration’s unnecessary, cruel, and inhumane deportation policies. This common-sense legislation will help keep military families together and end the previous administration’s cruel immigration agenda.”

“It’s simple: if you’re willing to serve in the United States military and potentially die for our country, you and your family should be able to live here without the threat of deportation,” said Representative Gallego. “That’s why we need to codify the protections for immigrant military and Gold Star families. For these families, it is the least our country can do, and I am proud to join Senator Booker on this important piece of legislation.”

Full text of the legislation can be viewed here.