Protect Patriot Spouses Act

This bill makes it easier for certain spouses of U.S. service members to get a green card from inside the United States. It would treat them as if they entered the country legally, even if they didn’t, and it would set aside some immigration problems like entering without a visa, missing documents, or past unlawful presence bars. In some cases, the government could also forgive other issues (like past misrepresentation or a prior removal) if the person isn’t a threat and hasn’t committed crimes unrelated to immigration status.

It covers people who are or were married to a U.S. citizen who is or was serving on active duty or in the reserves, with an honorable discharge if no longer serving, and who have a family visa petition based on that marriage. It also helps eligible spouses who were removed from the U.S. or left voluntarily before this becomes law: they could apply from abroad, and may be allowed to come back temporarily to reunite with their spouse while their case is being decided, if they pass security checks. Some immigration bars could be waived to allow this temporary return .

Key points

• Who is affected: Current or former spouses of U.S. citizens who serve or served in the Armed Forces (including reserves), with an honorable discharge if no longer serving, and who have a marriage-based petition on file.
• What changes: Treated as if they entered legally; certain immigration bars don’t apply; other bars may be waived if they’re not a threat and have no unrelated crimes.
• When: After enactment; also applies to eligible spouses removed or who left before enactment, who can apply from abroad and may get temporary entry during processing if they pass security checks.