WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act to expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt the sons and daughters of Filipino World II veterans who were naturalized from global limits. Nevada is home to one of the largest Filipino-American communities in the United States.

“Filipino soldiers served alongside U.S. servicemembers during World War II with bravery and courage, and we should be  honoring their service by reuniting them with their families,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to help introduce bipartisan legislation to do just that, and ensure these heroes can be with their loved ones. I am committed to ensuring our country looks after our veterans with respect and compassion.”

More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought under the American flag in World War II. Despite their heroic service, Congress passed the Rescission Acts of 1946, which made Filipinos ineligible for benefits granted to other World War II veterans, including the ability for their children to be granted citizenship or residency status in the United States. These children remain separated from their parents and, due to a visa backlog, some Filipino applicants have faced wait times of nearly twenty years before their applications were considered.

Senator Rosen has focused much of her work on providing veterans with the federal resources they need after years of sacrifice for our country. This week, Senator Rosen announced that she helped secure Nevada’s first-ever Veteran Business Outreach Center in Nevada to provide business resources and support to transitioning servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen successfully urged the President to include a new Reno veterans’ hospital in his budget request. Rosen also introduced bipartisan legislation to address the veteran mental health crisis, which would establish a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers across the country.