Bill Summary
The **Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act** is a proposed amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act aimed at facilitating the naturalization process for the immediate relatives of public safety officers who have died in the line of duty. Specifically, the bill allows surviving spouses, children, and parents of these officers, who are U.S. citizens, to apply for naturalization without needing to meet the typical requirements of prior residence or physical presence in the U.S. This provision is intended to honor the sacrifice of public safety officers and provide support to their families during difficult times. The bill underscores the nation’s commitment to the welfare of families affected by the loss of public safety personnel due to their employment-related injuries or illnesses.
Possible Impacts
The "Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act" introduces provisions for the naturalization of immediate relatives of public safety officers who die in the line of duty. Here are three ways this legislation could affect people:
1. **Facilitation of Immigration for Families**: Immediate relatives (spouses, children, or parents) of deceased public safety officers will have a streamlined process for obtaining U.S. citizenship. This means they won't have to meet the usual residency or physical presence requirements, making it easier for families to stay together and secure their legal status in the U.S. after losing a loved one in the line of duty.
2. **Support for Grieving Families**: The legislation acknowledges the sacrifices made by public safety officers and provides a measure of support for their families during a difficult time. By offering a path to citizenship, the act recognizes the challenges these families face and aims to provide them with stability and security, which can be crucial in the aftermath of a tragedy.
3. **Enhanced Public Safety Community Engagement**: By allowing the families of fallen public safety officers to become citizens more easily, the legislation may foster a stronger connection between these families and their communities. This can lead to increased community support and involvement in public safety initiatives, as the families may feel more integrated and empowered to participate in civic life and advocate for public safety issues.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3832 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3832
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for
naturalization processes for the immediate relatives of public safety
officers who die as a result of their employment, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 9, 2025
Mr. Bacon (for himself and Mr. Min) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for
naturalization processes for the immediate relatives of public safety
officers who die as a result of their employment, and for other
purposes.
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 ``Kerrie Orozco First Responders
Family Support Act''.
SEC. 2. NATURALIZATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELATIVES OF PUBLIC SAFETY
OFFICERS.
Section 319 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1430)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Immediate Relatives of Public Safety Officers.--
``(1) In general.--Any person who is the surviving spouse,
child, or parent of a United States citizen, whose citizen
spouse, parent, or child dies as a result of injury or disease
incurred in or aggravated by employment as a public safety
officer, and who, in the case of a surviving spouse, was living
in marital union with the citizen spouse at the time of his
death, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the
requirements of this title, except that no prior residence or
specified physical presence within the United States shall be
required.
``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the
term `public safety officer' has the meaning given such term in
section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10284).''.
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