By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© Journal Group Link International)

U.S. Senate Bill Legalizing Status of Children of Filipino Veterans Filed

C HICAGO (JGLi) – The American Coalition for Filipino Veterans based in Washington, D.C., is asking the help of Filipino Americans to call on United States senators in their states to support the Military Families Act Senate Bill 2757.

The bill, introduced by Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, gives an alien, who is a son or daughter of a Filipino parent who was naturalized based upon active duty during World War II service in the Philippine Army, Philippine Scouts, or a recognized guerilla unit, a chance to be lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. The alien should be present in the United States.

The bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary and has earned the support of seven Democratic senators as sponsors, namely, Senators Daniel K. Akaka (HI), Mark Begich (AK), Richard Durbin (IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Daniel K. Inouye (HI) and Mary L. Landrieu.

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to adjust the “status for immediate family members of persons who served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, and for other purposes.”

The alien to qualify under this bill must be admissible as a U.S. immigrant; pay a fee (unless waived); be physically present in the United States; must be a parent, spouse, child, son, or daughter (and their spouse, child, son, or daughter, if any); a living member of the U.S. Armed Forces or if a dead member of the U. S. Armed Forces as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by the Armed Forces member’s service.

The death should occur prior to the enactment of this Act, not later than two years after the date of such enactment or the death occurred after the date of the enactment, it should be not later than two years after the death of the Armed Forces member.

The Armed Forces member should be a U.S. Citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has served on or after Oct. 7, 2001, as member of the National Guard or the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or in active-duty status in the military, air, or naval forces of the U.S.

If separated from the service, the Armed Forces member “was separated under honorable conditions.”

Certain grounds of inadmissibility may be waived for humanitarian purposes, assure family unity; or if such waiver is otherwise in the public interest.

The aliens also covered by the bill are those whose Filipino parents were naturalized under Sec. 405 of the Immigration Act of 1990. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net) # # #

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