Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Defense should review section 504 of title 10, United States Code, for purposes related to enlisting certain aliens in the Armed Forces.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 994
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-18T08:06:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 994) expresses the non-binding opinion of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Defense should review a specific law to consider allowing certain immigrants—specifically those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—to join the U.S. Armed Forces. DACA is a Department of Homeland Security policy that protects some undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation and provides them work permits.
Key Provisions
- The resolution urges the Secretary of Defense to examine Section 504 of Title 10, United States Code (which governs eligibility for military enlistment).
- It specifically calls for a determination under subsection (b)(2) of that section to authorize enlistment of individuals who hold an employment authorization document issued under the 2012 DACA memorandum.
- Introduced on January 13, 2026, by Representatives Foster, Titus, Espaillat, Veasey, and Correa; referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend or change any laws; it is a "sense of Congress" measure, meaning it is symbolic and advisory rather than enforceable. It encourages review of existing enlistment rules but does not mandate action.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Could prompt the Department of Defense to reassess recruitment policies, potentially increasing enlistment options and aiding military staffing needs. It might also involve coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees DACA.
- On citizens and immigrants: DACA recipients (estimated at around 800,000 people) could gain a pathway to military service, offering benefits like potential citizenship through service, education, and job opportunities. No direct impact on U.S. citizens.
- On international relations: Minimal direct effects, though it could signal U.S. support for integrating long-term immigrant residents, potentially influencing perceptions of U.S. immigration policies abroad.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DACA recipients: Primary beneficiaries, as they could become eligible for military enlistment.
- Department of Defense and Armed Forces: Responsible for reviewing and potentially implementing enlistment changes, which could expand recruitment pools.
- Department of Homeland Security: Involved due to its role in issuing DACA documents.
- Members of Congress: Sponsors and the House Armed Services Committee, who advocate for this policy shift.
- Immigrant advocacy groups: Likely to support expanded opportunities for DACA individuals.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on existing authority in Section 504(b)(2), which allows the Secretary of Defense to waive certain enlistment restrictions for aliens in the national interest. This could lead to administrative policy changes without new legislation, but any enlistment would still need to comply with immigration laws.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it aligns with Congress's oversight role over the military under Article I of the Constitution, though as a non-binding resolution, it carries no legal force.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest (sponsored by Democrats) in supporting DACA amid ongoing debates over immigration reform. It may build momentum for legislative protections for "Dreamers" (DACA participants) but could face opposition from those favoring stricter immigration controls.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-01-13: Submitted in House
- 2026-01-13: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Defense should review section 504 of title 10, United States Code, for purposes related to enlisting certain aliens in the Armed Forces. — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (2 pages)