Washington, D.C. — The co-chairs of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) are voicing their support for the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Act, a bill reintroduced early this week by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) and Dave Min (D-California).

The bill would allow 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. A previous version of the legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 but was not acted upon in the Senate.

The proposed legislation is supported by Chief Ramon Batista (Santa Monica, California); Chief Chad Kasmar (Tucson, Arizona); and Chief Ruben Quesada (Swampscott, Massachusetts) — all co-chairs of LEITF — who have issued the following statement:

“We welcome the reintroduction of this bipartisan bill that proposes compassionate and pragmatic reform. Granting family members of officers who died in service a direct and dignified path to citizenship is an overdue recognition of their resilience and contributions.

“Family members of fallen first responders have made the ultimate sacrifice through their loved ones’ service and bravery. Their immigration status should be the least of their current concerns.”

###