Honor Their Service Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9375
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T21:33:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to support noncitizen veterans by authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund immigration legal services for those facing removal, seeking naturalization, or needing other immigration relief.
Key Provisions
- Establishes a new Chapter 25 in title 38, United States Code, titled "Benefits for Noncitizen Veterans," including Section 2501 on immigration legal services.
- Authorizes the VA Secretary to award grants to eligible public or nonprofit entities to provide legal services to noncitizen veterans in removal proceedings, at risk of removal, or already removed.
- Specifies allowable uses of grant funds, including:
- Defense in removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Assistance with naturalization applications, including military service-based paths.
- Applications for parole, including parole in place and humanitarian parole.
- Support for reentry or repatriation after removal.
- Requests to upgrade military discharge characterizations that affect immigration eligibility.
- Other related immigration legal services as determined appropriate.
- Requires the Secretary to set and publish grant criteria in the Federal Register, considering rural, tribal, and territorial access, and to consult with veterans service organizations and immigration legal providers.
- Mandates biennial reports to Congress on grant outcomes, including numbers served, services provided, and effectiveness.
- Authorizes $20,000,000 in appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
- Defines "noncitizen veteran" as a veteran who is not a U.S. citizen or national.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill adds new authority under title 38 for VA grants focused on immigration legal services, creating a dedicated chapter for noncitizen veterans. It does not amend existing VA benefit programs but introduces a new grant mechanism outside current veterans' benefits structures.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Requires the VA to develop grant criteria, administer awards, and produce reports, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- On citizens and noncitizen veterans: Provides access to legal assistance for immigration matters, which may facilitate naturalization, prevent removal, or enable reentry for eligible veterans.
- On international relations: Could indirectly affect U.S. immigration enforcement and repatriation processes involving veterans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Noncitizen veterans and their families.
- Eligible nonprofit and public entities providing immigration legal services.
- Veterans service organizations and immigration advocacy groups.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Congressional committees on Veterans' Affairs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill links VA authority to immigration proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act, raising questions about the intersection of veterans' benefits and federal immigration law. It emphasizes access regardless of location, including virtual services, but does not alter constitutional standards for removal or citizenship.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Honor Their Service Act — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (7 pages)