Menendez Bill Would Give Legal Status To Families Of Troops

By Philip Bunnell

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) urged lawmakers to pass legislation he is sponsoring that would grant immediate citizenship to family members of those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Military Families Act would allow the spouses, parents, or children of any active service member or service member who has served at some point since October, 7, 2001 to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

“If you wear the uniform of the United States, risk your life, serve honorably, your country should return the favor and make sure you are not separated from a loved one while you are fighting for your country,” said Menendez.

The legislation will likely be viewed as an attempt by Menendez to save face with Hispanic voters, who have been frustrated over Congress’ failure in recent years to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Menendez also called today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of Arizona’s Legal Workers Act, “a further example of Congress’s failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform that is leading to a patchwork of immigration laws.”

In a 5-3 ruling, the Court upheld a provision within the four-year-old law that allows the state to revoke business licenses if employers are found to have knowingly hired an illegal immigrant.