Rep. Cisneros, Sen. Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce the PROTECT Military Families Act
Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) in the House and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate 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. The Senate bill was also co-sponsored by SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill is endorsed by the Veterans for American Ideals.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“It’s unacceptable that military families are even vulnerable to deportation,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Service members already have a lot on their shoulders — they shouldn't also be worrying about whether their loved ones will be deported. I'm proud to co-lead the PROTECT Military Families Act to introduce long overdue stability for our country's service members and their loved ones.”
Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, and Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. Rep. Cisneros is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.
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