Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) are reintroducing bipartisan legislation to protect military families with mixed immigration status.
Specifically, the Protect Patriot Spouses Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act by removing the unlawful entry inadmissibility standard for illegal aliens with married service members, allowing them to gain lawful permanent resident status.
Additionally, military spouses who were deported or have voluntarily returned to their home countries can apply for an immigrant visa abroad and be allowed to return to the United States while the visa status is pending.
The bill was inspired by the case of Alejandra Juarez, a woman from Mexico who married the decorated Marine Corps veteran Sergeant Temo Juarez and was deported in 2018. However, she was reauthorized to return to the United States in 2021 under a humanitarian parole permit by the Biden Administration.
"In 2018, seven years ago, I joined the Juarez family at the airport in Orlando on the day of Alejandra's deportation. In that moment, I promised Alejandra and her daughters that we would never stop fighting for them to be reunited. Under the Biden Administration, we were thrilled to see Alejandra receive humanitarian parole and return to Central Florida to be with her family," said Rep. Soto in his press release, adding, "However, this was only a temporary fix, and families are under increased risk due to the current Administration. With the Protect Patriot Spouses Act, we will create a permanent solution for families in this situation."
Similarly, Rep. Salazar said, "The brave men and women who serve our country deserve our complete support and protection. The spouses and families of those who put their lives on the line to protect us should be honored by a grateful nation, not harmed by our broken immigration system."
"I am proud to join my colleagues, Representatives Soto and Carbajal, in introducing this critical legislation to protect the families of our veterans," Rep. Salazar continued.
