Bacon’s bill continues immigration process for families of first responders who die in line of duty

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) recently sponsored bipartisan legislation that would permit the naturalization process to continue for the immediate relatives of public safety officers who die as a result of their employment.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every time they go to work ensuring our families and communities are safe,” said Rep. Bacon. “If they are killed in the line of duty, we owe them peace of mind knowing their families will be taken care of and not forgotten.”

Rep. Bacon on April 29 introduced the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act, H.R. 2378, which has five cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA).

If enacted, H.R. 2378 would extend the privilege to first responders that current law affords to spouses of U.S. military service members, Rep. Bacon said.

The congressman explained that four years ago, when Officer Kerrie Orozco was killed, her husband Hector was involved in the immigration process.

“His immigration status should not be put in jeopardy because his wife made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community,” Rep. Bacon said. “Hector has the responsibility of raising their daughter Olivia and the right thing to do would be to ease the immigration process for him so he can move forward in caring for her.”

Rep. Bacon originally sponsored the same-named H.R. 6580 during the 115th congressional session. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill in September 2018, but it languished in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

“It passed unanimously last Congress and we should do so again and this time we need Senate support,” said Rep. Bacon.

The newly reintroduced H.R. 2378 is under consideration by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.