Summary

Creates a narrow naturalization exception so immediate relatives (surviving spouse, child, or parent) of a U.S. citizen who died from an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by employment as a public safety officer can apply for citizenship without meeting prior residence or physical presence requirements. Applicants still must meet all other naturalization rules, and ‘‘public safety officer’’ is defined by existing federal law.

• Creates a naturalization eligibility exception for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who died from work-related injury or disease as public safety officers.
• Waives prior residence and specified physical presence requirements for qualifying applicants.
• Applicants still must meet all other naturalization requirements (e.g., good moral character, English and civics tests).
• Surviving spouses must have been living in marital union with the decedent at the time of death.
• Defines "public safety officer" by reference to existing federal law (34 U.S.C. 10284).
• Applies only to surviving spouse, child, or parent of the deceased U.S. citizen—other relatives are not covered.
• Does not create new funding or appropriate money; it is an eligibility change within the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Administration (USCIS) will need procedures to verify work-related causation and familial status.