WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sixty-seven local law enforcement leaders sent a letter to Senate leadership today voicing support for a bill that would help the families of first responders who die in the line of duty.

The Kerrie Orozco Act, which passed the House in September, would permit a surviving spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen first responder who died in service to be eligible to obtain U.S. citizenship through an expedited process.

The following is a joint statement from Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force Co-chairs Chief J. Thomas Manger, Montgomery County, Maryland; Chief Art Acevedo, Houston; and Sheriff Margaret Mims, Fresno County, California:

“When first responders make the ultimate sacrifice, we can honor their memory by enabling close family members and dependents to naturalize quickly. This bill would allow these families to find stability at an incredibly difficult time.

“Losing a loved one in the line of duty is difficult enough without the additional burdens of a long immigration process. We urge senators to support this act and pass the bill before the end of the year.”

The full letter with signatories is available here.

###