U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Lisa Murkowski, alongside Representatives Ed Case and Jennifer Kiggans, have reintroduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill aims to expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans.
Senator Hirono stated, “Despite the service and sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who bravely fought on behalf of our country during World War II, many of these veterans still haven’t been able to reunite permanently with their loved ones in the U.S.” The proposed legislation seeks to address this issue by facilitating family reunifications.
Senator Murkowski highlighted the importance of honoring these veterans: “Helping to ensure these proud veterans are able to reunite with their family members while they are still here is the right thing to do in order to honor their service.”
Representative Ed Case emphasized the urgency due to dwindling numbers: “As these veterans near the end of their lives, they deserve the certainty of a non-revocable permanent solution.”
The bill proposes exempting from existing visa caps the applications for green cards by children of these veterans. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans expressed her support: “We owe these veterans an immense debt of gratitude, and it is our responsibility to honor their sacrifice.”
More than 260,000 Filipino servicemembers served during WWII under American command. However, following Congress's Rescission Acts of 1946, they were denied benefits afforded to other WWII veterans. President George H.W. Bush granted citizenship in 1990 but did not extend this benefit to their children.
In 2016, Senator Hirono's efforts led U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to implement a program aiding reunification with adult children and relatives. The new act aims for a permanent solution by amending immigration laws.
The Senate co-sponsors include Senators Dan Sullivan, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Maria Cantwell, Catherine Cortez Masto, Tammy Duckworth, Jacky Rosen, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, and Elizabeth Warren. In the House, Representatives Judy Chu, Raúl Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, and Jill Tokuda also back it.
Support comes from various organizations such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta and Los Angeles among others.
Since 2013 Senator Hirono has led efforts for this legislation which aligns with past recognitions like awarding Congressional Gold Medals in 2017.