Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that she is cosponsoring a bipartisan amendment, offered by Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Chris Coons (D-Conn.), to the immigration reform bill (S. 744) to recognize the service of those legal United States residents who have risked their lives and won awards serving in combat on behalf of the United States. The amendment would expedite the legalization process for these service men and women.

“This important amendment recognizes the extraordinary contribution of thousands of men and women who entered our Nation legally and then won awards for their service in combat. War heroes have earned a place at the front of the line. Their courage and character represent the very highest of our Nation’s ideals,” said Senator Fischer.

For a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he or she must first be a legal immigrant. The amendment cosponsored by Senator Fischer would waive certain naturalization requirements for members of the military who have earned their service branch’s combat recognition award. According to the Center for Naval Analysis, 70,000 legal residents who are non-citizens enlisted in the active duty military between 1999 and 2008.

Qualifying awards under this legislation include:

The Army’s Combat Infantryman, Combat Medical, and Combat Action Badges;

The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard's Combat Action Ribbon;

The Air Force's Combat Action Medal; and

Any other award that the Secretary of Defense deems to be an equivalent for participation in combat.