Rep. Takano’s Amendment to NDAA to Preserve Deportation Protections for Military Families Passes House
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano’s (D-Calif.) amendment to the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent the Trump Administration from scaling back parole in place passed the House. This amendment mandates that each spouse, widow, widower, parent, son, or daughter of a member of the armed forces are eligible for parole in place. The amendment also reaffirms the importance of parole in place in preserving family unity and the Secretary’s authority to exercise the program.
NPR reported in June that the Trump Administration plans to terminate the discretionary program that protects undocumented family members of active servicemembers or certain reservists and veterans from deportation.
“Ending parole in place would be detrimental to our troops and the fabric of our nation,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “Deployments are tough enough on our military families to endure, conflated with the looming shadow of deportation, the emotional toll is simply unbearable. Servicemembers should be granted peace of mind that their families are safe at home while they risk their lives abroad in the defense of our nation. They are protecting our freedom. The least we could do is protect their families.”
Under parole in place, a servicemember and their respective spouse, widow, widower, parent, son, or daughter may be eligible for temporary protection under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This amendment strengthens eligibility for the program, while protecting undocumented family members of servicemembers from deportation.
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