This bill would make it easier for the non-U.S. citizen spouses of active-duty or honorably discharged U.S. military members to get permanent legal residency (green cards) in the United States. It would waive certain requirements that would normally make them ineligible, like entering the country without being admitted.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would make it easier for the non-U.S. citizen spouses of active-duty or honorably discharged U.S. military members to get permanent legal residency (green cards) in the United States. It would waive certain requirements that would normally make them ineligible, like entering the country without being admitted.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Protect Patriot Spouses Act</b></p> <p>This bill makes certain military spouses who are non-U.S. nationals (<i>aliens </i>under federal law) eligible for lawful permanent resident status (also known as a <i>green card</i>).</p> <p>To be eligible for a green card under this bill, an individual must be the current or former spouse of a U.S. citizen who serves or served in the Armed Forces, either on active duty or in a reserve component. If the U.S. citizen has been discharged from the Armed Forces, such discharge must be under honorable conditions.</p> <p>Certain factors that would otherwise make an individual inadmissible, such as having entered the United States without being admitted, shall not apply to a spouse seeking a green card under the bill. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may also waive certain factors that would otherwise make an individual inadmissible, such as having misrepresented a material fact to secure a visa, if the individual does not pose a threat to the public and has not committed any crimes that are unrelated to immigration status. </p> <p>The bill also requires DHS and the Department of State to allow a qualifying non-U.S. national spouse to (1) apply for an immigrant visa to enter the United States under this bill; and (2) enter and stay in the United States to reunite with their U.S. citizen spouse while the application is pending, if the non-U.S. national spouse does not pose a threat to the public or national security.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows non-U.S. citizen spouses of active-duty or honorably discharged U.S. military members to apply for permanent legal residency (green cards)
Waives certain requirements that would normally make them ineligible, like entering the country without being admitted
Allows non-U.S. citizen spouses to enter and stay in the U.S. while their green card application is pending, as long as they don't pose a threat
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would positively impact the non-U.S. citizen spouses of U.S. military members, making it easier for them to live permanently in the U.S. and reunite with their spouses. It could help reduce family separations and provide more stability for military families.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Immigration
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
4722, 119th Congress (2025). "Urban Indian Health Parity Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-4722
