[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5380-S5383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Brownback, 
        Mr. Coleman, Mr. McCain, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Leahy, 
        and Mr. Hagel):
  S. 922. A bill to change the requirements for naturalization through 
service in the Armed Forces of the United States, to extend 
naturalization benefits to members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready 
Reserve of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, to extend 
posthumous benefits to surviving spouses, children, and parents, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record as follows:
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today for myself, Senator Kennedy, 
Senator Durbin, Senator Brownback, Senator Coleman, Senator McCain, 
Senator Schumer, Senator Boxer, Senator Leahy, and Senator Hagel to 
introduce this bill, the Naturalization and Family Protection for 
Military Members Act of 2003, which will expedite the naturalization 
process for noncitizen soldiers serving in active duty and in the 
select reserves and enact safeguards to protect noncitizen immediate 
relatives of American soldiers who are killed in action.
  More than 48,900 noncitizens are currently serving in the United 
States military and hundreds are serving from the State of Nevada. They 
place their lives on the line for our country every day. In recognition 
and appreciation of their service, they deserve a naturalization 
process that does not unnecessarily delay the grant of citizenship or 
impose other restraints because they are stationed in another country.
  These noncitizen soldiers love America so much they are willing to 
make great sacrifices to protect us and promote our values and even 
defend the Constitution--although they do not fully enjoy its 
protections. They deserve better treatment than they currently receive. 
Like many Americans, I was moved by the story of Corporal Jose Angel 
Garibay, who came to the United States from Mexico at the age of two 
months in the arms of a stranger because the trip was too rough for his 
mother to carry him through the hills near Tijuana herself. At the age 
of 11 he announced to his brother that he planned to join the United 
States military. Although a noncitizen, he believed anything was 
possible in this land of opportunity and hoped to become a police 
officer. The proudest day for the Garibay family was the day Jose 
joined the Marines. Sadly, on March 23, at the young age of 21, he died 
near Nasirivah, Iraq. Who can say that Corporal Garibay, citizen or 
not, is any less of a hero? Our noncitizen soldiers deserve a system 
that does not drop current applications or disallow eligible 
applications for legal permanent residency by their immediate 
relatives.
  This Act will provide necessary relief to current noncitizens serving 
in active

[[Page S5381]]

duty and the ready reserves within the United States military by 
setting forth an expedited process of naturalization. This Act will 
also provide protections for noncitizen spouses, unmarried children, 
and parents of citizen and noncitizen soldiers who are killed as a 
result of their service to file or preserve their application for 
lawful permanent residence.
  I rise today in support of action that will recognize and honor 
current noncitizen soldiers in the United States armed forces and will 
honor the legacy of all of our soldiers who have been killed in action 
by providing fair and sympathetic treatment of their immediate 
relatives seeking legal permanent residency.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.

                                 S. 922

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Naturalization and Family 
     Protection for Military Members Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURALIZATION THROUGH SERVICE IN 
                   THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Reduction of Period for Required Service.--Section 
     328(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1439(a)) is amended by striking ``three years'' and inserting 
     ``2 years''.
       (b) Prohibition on Imposition of Fees Relating to 
     Naturalization.--Title III of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 328(b)--
       (A) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``honorable. The'' and inserting 
     ``honorable (the''; and
       (ii) by striking ``discharge.'' and inserting ``discharge); 
     and''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fee 
     shall be charged or collected from the applicant for filing a 
     petition for naturalization or for the issuance of a 
     certificate of naturalization upon citizenship being granted 
     to the applicant, and no clerk of any State court shall 
     charge or collect any fee for such services unless the laws 
     of the State require such charge to be made, in which case 
     nothing more than the portion of the fee required to be paid 
     to the State shall be charged or collected.''; and
       (2) in section 329(b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fee 
     shall be charged or collected from the applicant for filing a 
     petition for naturalization or for the issuance of a 
     certificate of naturalization upon citizenship being granted 
     to the applicant, and no clerk of any State court shall 
     charge or collect any fee for such services unless the laws 
     of the State require such charge to be made, in which case 
     nothing more than the portion of the fee required to be paid 
     to the State shall be charged or collected.''.
       (c) Naturalization Proceedings Overseas for Members of the 
     Armed Forces.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, 
     and the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any 
     applications, interviews, filings, oaths, ceremonies, or 
     other proceedings under title III of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) relating to 
     naturalization of members of the Armed Forces are available 
     through United States embassies, consulates, and as 
     practicable, United States military installations overseas.
       (d) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 328(b)(3) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1439(b)(3)) 
     is amended by striking ``Attorney General'' and inserting 
     ``Secretary of Homeland Security''.

     SEC. 3. NATURALIZATION BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED 
                   RESERVE OF THE READY RESERVE.

       Section 329(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1440(a)) is amended by inserting ``as a member of the 
     Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or'' after ``has served 
     honorably''.

     SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF POSTHUMOUS BENEFITS TO SURVIVING 
                   SPOUSES, CHILDREN, AND PARENTS.

       (a) Treatment as Immediate Relatives.--
       (1) Spouses.--Notwithstanding the second sentence of 
     section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)), in the case of an alien who 
     was the spouse of a citizen of the United States at the time 
     of the citizen's death and was not legally separated from the 
     citizen at the time of the citizen's death, if the citizen 
     served honorably in an active duty status in the military, 
     air, or naval forces of the United States and died as a 
     result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by that 
     service, the alien (and each child of the alien) shall be 
     considered, for purposes of section 201(b) of such Act, to 
     remain an immediate relative after the date of the citizen's 
     death, but only if the alien files a petition under section 
     204(a)(1)(A)(ii) of such Act within 2 years after such date 
     and only until the date the alien remarries. For purposes of 
     such section 204(a)(1)(A)(ii), an alien granted relief under 
     the preceding sentence shall be considered an alien spouse 
     described in the second sentence of section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) 
     of such Act.
       (2) Children.--
       (A) In general.--In the case of an alien who was the child 
     of a citizen of the United States at the time of the 
     citizen's death, if the citizen served honorably in an active 
     duty status in the military, air, or naval forces of the 
     United States and died as a result of injury or disease 
     incurred in or aggravated by that service, the alien shall be 
     considered, for purposes of section 201(b) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)), to remain an 
     immediate relative after the date of the citizen's death 
     (regardless of changes in age or marital status thereafter), 
     but only if the alien files a petition under subparagraph (B) 
     within 2 years after such date.
       (B) Petitions.--An alien described in subparagraph (A) may 
     file a petition with the Secretary of Homeland Security for 
     classification of the alien under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151(b)(2)(A)(i)). For purposes of such Act, such a petition 
     shall be considered a petition filed under section 
     204(a)(1)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(A)).
       (3) Parents.--
       (A) In general.--In the case of an alien who was the parent 
     of a citizen of the United States at the time of the 
     citizen's death, if the citizen served honorably in an active 
     duty status in the military, air, or naval forces of the 
     United States and died as a result of injury or disease 
     incurred in or aggravated by that service, the alien shall be 
     considered, for purposes of section 201(b) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)), to remain an 
     immediate relative after the date of the citizen's death 
     (regardless of changes in age or marital status thereafter), 
     but only if the alien files a petition under subparagraph (B) 
     within 2 years after such date.
       (B) Petitions.--An alien described in subparagraph (A) may 
     file a petition with the Secretary of Homeland Security for 
     classification of the alien under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151(b)(2)(A)(i)). For purposes of such Act, such a petition 
     shall be considered a petition filed under section 
     204(a)(1)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(A)).
       (C) Exception.--Notwithstanding section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151(b)(2)(A)(i)), for purposes of this paragraph, a citizen 
     described in subparagraph (A) does not have to be 21 years of 
     age for a parent to benefit under this paragraph.
       (b) Applications for Adjustment of Status by Surviving 
     Spouses, Children, and Parents.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (c) of 
     section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1255), any alien who was the spouse, child, or parent of an 
     alien described in paragraph (2), and who applied for 
     adjustment of status prior to the death described in 
     paragraph (2)(B), may have such application adjudicated as if 
     such death had not occurred.
       (2) Alien described.--An alien is described in this 
     paragraph if the alien--
       (A) served honorably in an active duty status in the 
     military, air, or naval forces of the United States;
       (B) died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or 
     aggravated by that service; and
       (C) was granted posthumous citizenship under section 329A 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440-1).
       (c) Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Resident 
     Aliens.--
       (1) Treatment as immediate relatives.--
       (A) In general.--A spouse or child of an alien described in 
     paragraph (3) who is included in a petition for 
     classification as a family-sponsored immigrant under section 
     203(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1153(a)(2)) that was filed by such alien, shall be considered 
     (if the spouse or child has not been admitted or approved for 
     lawful permanent residence by such date) a valid petitioner 
     for immediate relative status under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151(b)(2)(A)(i)). Such spouse or child shall be eligible for 
     deferred action, advance parole, and work authorization.
       (B) Petitions.--An alien spouse or child described in 
     subparagraph (A) may file a petition with the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security for classification of the alien under 
     section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)). For purposes of such Act, 
     such a petition shall be considered a petition filed under 
     section 204(a)(1)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(A)).
       (2) Self-petitions.--Any spouse or child of an alien 
     described in paragraph (3) who is not a beneficiary of a 
     petition for classification as a family-sponsored immigrant 
     may file a petition for such classification under section 
     201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)) with the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, but only if the spouse or child files a petition 
     within 2 years after such date. Such spouse or child shall be 
     eligible for deferred action, advance parole, and work 
     authorization.

[[Page S5382]]

       (3) Alien described.--An alien is described in this 
     paragraph if the alien--
       (A) served honorably in an active duty status in the 
     military, air, or naval forces of the United States;
       (B) died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or 
     aggravated by that service; and
       (C) was granted posthumous citizenship under section 329A 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440-1).
       (d) Parents of Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens.--
       (1) Self-petitions.--Any parent of an alien described in 
     paragraph (2) may file a petition for classification under 
     section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)), but only if the parent files 
     a petition within 2 years after such date. For purposes of 
     such Act, such petition shall be considered a petition filed 
     under section 204(a)(1)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1154(a)(1)(A)). Such parent shall be eligible for deferred 
     action, advance parole, and work authorization.
       (2) Alien described.--An alien is described in this 
     paragraph if the alien--
       (A) served honorably in an active duty status in the 
     military, air, or naval forces of the United States;
       (B) died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or 
     aggravated by that service; and
       (C) was granted posthumous citizenship under section 329A 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440-1).
       (e) Adjustment of Status.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) 
     and (c) of section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1255), an alien physically present in the United 
     States who is the beneficiary of a petition under paragraph 
     (1), (2)(B), or (3)(B) of subsection (a), paragraph (1)(B) or 
     (2) of subsection (c), or subsection (d)(1) of this section, 
     may apply to the Secretary of Homeland Security for 
     adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted 
     for permanent residence.
       (f) Waiver of Certain Grounds of Inadmissibility.--In 
     determining the admissibility of any alien accorded an 
     immigration benefit under this section, the grounds for 
     inadmissibility specified in paragraphs (4), (6), (7), and 
     (9) of section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) shall not apply.
       (g) Benefits to Survivors; Technical Amendment.--Section 
     329A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440-1) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (e); and
       (2) by striking ``Attorney General'' each place that term 
     appears and inserting ``Secretary of Homeland Security''.
       (h) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 319(d) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1430(d)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``, child, or parent'' after ``surviving 
     spouse'';
       (2) by inserting ``, parent, or child'' after ``whose 
     citizen spouse''; and
       (3) by striking ``who was living'' and inserting ``who, in 
     the case of a surviving spouse, was living''.

     SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take 
     effect as if enacted on September 11, 2001.

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today, my colleagues and I are 
introducing legislation to recognize the enormous contributions of 
immigrants in the military. The Naturalization and Family Protection 
for Military Members Act of 2003 will enable immigrant men and women of 
our Armed Forces to obtain easier access to naturalization, and it will 
establish immigration protections for their families if they are killed 
in action.
  In all our wars throughout our history, immigrants have fought side 
by side and have given their lives to defend America's freedom and 
ideals. One out of every five recipients of the Congressional Medal of 
Honor, the highest honor our Nation bestows on our war heroes, have 
been immigrants. Their bravery is unequivocal proof that immigrants are 
as dedicated as any other Americans to defend our country.
  Today, 37,000 men and women have the status of permanent residents, 
who are not yet citizens, but are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine, 
Air Force, and Coast Guard. Another 20,000 permanent residents are 
serving in the Reserves and the National Guard. Since the war in Iraq 
began two and a half weeks ago, eight of the dead, two of the missing, 
and two prisoners of war are immigrants to the United States. Only four 
were naturalized U.S. citizens.
  Granting these men and women posthumous citizenship is the right 
thing to do, but we must do more. This bill gives members of the armed 
services who are already lawful permanent residents, easier access to 
naturalization. It gives certain immigration benefits to their 
immediate family members in the event of their death. It would amend 
immigration laws: to allow lawful permanent resident military personnel 
to naturalize after serving 2 years in the military. They can 
participate in naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies abroad at 
U.S. embassies, consulates, and overseas military installations. 
Naturalization fees would be waived.
  Recruiting needs are immediate in wartime and readiness is essential. 
As the war in Iraq goes on and our commitment to ending global 
terrorism continues, more and more of these brave men and women are 
being called to active duty. Many of them are members of the Selected 
Reserve--Reserve and National Guard members subject to recall to active 
duty during a war or other national emergency. Many reservists have 
already been activated, and many more expect to be called up at a 
moment's notice to defend our country and assist in the war effort. 
They too deserve special recognition for their bravery and sacrifice. 
Our bill does just that. Lawful permanent residents who are members of 
the Selected Reserve will have naturalization benefits similar to those 
conferred on members of the regular forces on duty. They will have 
expedited naturalization during times of war or hostile military 
operations.
  Finally, our bill will protect the immigration status of immediate 
family members who were dependent upon their citizen or noncitizen's 
relative, if the relative was honorably serving in the military and was 
killed as a result of the service. We know the tragic losses endured by 
these families for the sacrifices their sons and daughters have made. 
It is unfair that they should have to lose their immigration status as 
well.
  Our legislation will amend the immigration laws to ensure that 
grieving immediate family members are given the opportunity to legalize 
their immigration status and not be threatened with deportation. 
Specifically, these family members--noncitizen spouses, children, 
parents of citizens and parents of noncitizens serving in the military 
who are killed as a result of their service--will be able to file or 
preserve their application for lawful permanent residence.
  The Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act is 
a tribute to the sacrifices that these future Americans are already 
making now for their adopted country. They deserve this important 
benefit, and we urge the Senate to approve it.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, the American people are united in support 
of our service members, many of whom are serving today in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, and elsewhere abroad. We have the finest Armed Forces in 
the world, and we have asked them to bear a heavy burden. The Senate 
has justly expressed our support for the troops, but we have an 
obligation to do more than just pass resolutions. We have to back up 
our words with actions.
  That is why I recently introduced an amendment, which the Senate 
unanimously approved, to raise combat pay and increase family support 
for our service members. That is why I joined several of my 
distinguished colleagues today in introducing a bill that would help 
immigrant soldiers and their families. The Naturalization and Family 
Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 would expedite 
naturalization for legal permanent residents in the military and 
preserve the rights of noncitizen family members of deceased service 
members.
  There are over 37,000 legal permanent residents on active duty and 
over 20,000 on reserve duty. These brave men and women have willingly 
put themselves in harm's way to defend our country. They are living 
proof that immigration is good for our country.
  On the battlefield, there is no distinction between American citizens 
and noncitizens--everyone is an American service member sworn to defend 
our Nation. We owe a debt of gratitude to all service members, whether 
citizen or noncitizen, who have put their lives on the line to keep us 
all safe and free.
  But legal resident service members, who have voluntarily taken on a 
burden that many Americans will never know, face unnecessary hurdles on 
the path to citizenship. Even more tragically, if, God forbid, they are 
killed in combat, the law can prevent their immediate family members 
from naturalizing. This is a cruel and unjust manner in which to treat 
the families of legal immigrants who gave their lives for our country.

[[Page S5383]]

  The sacrifices of these immigrant service members are a poignant 
reminder that too often our immigration law treats immigrants callously 
and unfairly, ignoring the tremendous contributions that they make to 
American society. While preserving the integrity of our naturalization 
process, we should do everything we can to correct legal technicalities 
that make it difficult for immigrant soldiers to become citizens and 
prevent their surviving family member from naturalizing.
  It is important to note that this bill would not in any way 
compromise the naturalization process or national security. It would 
not automatically confer citizenship. Service members and their 
families would still be required to petition for naturalization, at 
which time they would be subjected to a full background check.
  For legal permanent residents in military service, the bill would 
reduce the required period of military service to apply for 
naturalization during peacetime from 3 years to 2 years. The bill would 
also allow them to naturalize overseas, and waive the filing fee for 
their naturalization applications. For service members who are posted 
overseas for long periods and are struggling to make ends meet, these 
provisions are vitally important.
  Currently, immediate family members of service members who are killed 
in the line of duty lose their right to file for citizenship. It is 
wrong and unjust to penalize people because their spouse, parent, or 
child made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The bill would 
preserve the rights to petition for citizenship of noncitizen spouses, 
unmarried children, and parents of citizen soldiers who are killed as a 
result of such service.
  Passing this bill is the least that we can do to honor and support 
the brave immigrant men and women who are serving our country during 
these dangerous times. I urge the Senate to approve it.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator Kennedy 
today in introducing legislation to honor the contributions of 
immigrants who have shown their dedication both to this country and to 
creating a better future for themselves by joining the military. The 
Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 
will do two important things: it will offer easier access to 
naturalization for immigrant men and women of our Armed Forces, and it 
will establish immigration protections for their families if they are 
killed in action.
  In this time of war, it is especially important to recognize those 
who are fighting as we speak to preserve our freedom and our way of 
life. This is particularly true for those immigrants who have too often 
given their lives to defend our principles. In fact, after just 2\1/2\ 
weeks of our current conflict, of the 71 U.S. service members killed, 
seven missing and seven captured, eight of those killed, two of the 
missing, and two of the captured are immigrants. Most important, only 
four of the immigrants were U.S. citizens when the war began.
  There are more than 30,000 noncitizens on active duty in the U.S. 
military--approximately 2 percent of the total U.S. forces. In the 
Reserves and the National guard are another 20,000 noncitizens. These 
immigrants have proven a dedication to our country by joining the 
military or the Reserves or National Guard, a dedication which should 
be recognized and rewarded.
  The bill we are introducing will do that. First, it provides easier 
access to naturalization to members of the armed service who are 
already lawful permanent residents. Currently, being a member of the 
armed service allows a permanent legal resident to reduce their wait 
time for naturalization from 5 years to 3 years--our legislation would 
reduce the time to only 2 years. It would also ease this process by 
allowing naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies abroad at U.S. 
embassies, consulates, and overseas military installations, and by 
waiving naturalization fees.
  In addition, the bill provides for the immediate families of 
immigrant service personnel killed in action by either giving them the 
opportunity to legalize their immigration status or by allowing them to 
proceed with their own applications for naturalization as if the death 
had not happened. By protecting their immigration status, this element 
provides critical acknowledgment of the sacrifices that the families of 
our military members make as well.
  Finally, the bill also remembers those courageous men and women who 
ensure that in times of war or hostility, our country is ready and our 
recruiting needs are met. While we have seen success in Iraq in recent 
days, this war is not yet over--in fact, we have truly only reached the 
beginning of the end, not the end. As such, we must keep in mind that 
more and more Reserve and National Guard units are being called to 
active duty. Therefore, we have not forgotten the bravery of those who 
have immigrated and filled our ranks. Our legislation says that 
naturalization benefits similar to those conferred on members of the 
regular forces on duty will also apply to lawful permanent residents 
who are members of the Reserves or National Guard. In other words, they 
will have expedited naturalization during times of war or hostile 
military operations.
  This Nation has long reserved the Congressional Medal of Honor for 
those select war heroes of unsurpassed courage. It is our highest honor 
and our greatest praise--and one out of every five recipients of this 
honor have been immigrants. This accounting of the bravery and spirit 
of the immigrants in our Armed Forces speaks to the fact that they are 
as dedicated and as willing to sacrifice on our Nation's behalf.
  The Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act is 
an important piece of legislation that both honors and rewards 
immigrants to this Nation. They are already legal permanent residents--
this simply ensures that they have the opportunity to truly become a 
part of this country through citizenship. I urge the Senate to give its 
full consideration to this bill and to lend its support.
                                 ______