Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Rep. Dave Min (D-CA-47) have reintroduced the “Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Act” in Washington, aiming to assist families of first responders who die in the line of duty. The bill, designated as H.R. 3832, is designed to ensure that immediate relatives can continue processing their immigration applications without delay after losing a loved one.
The legislation honors Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was killed while serving a felony arrest warrant ten years ago. At the time of her death, Officer Orozco’s husband Hector was navigating the immigration process. “His immigration status should not have been put in jeopardy because his wife made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community,” said Rep. Bacon.
Under current law, surviving family members face delays in their naturalization process if they have pending immigration applications when a first responder relative dies in service. The new act extends privileges similar to those provided to spouses of U.S. military personnel.
Rep. Min highlighted the daily risks law enforcement officers face and emphasized that grieving families should not be burdened with additional bureaucratic hurdles: “I’m proud to support this common-sense legislation.”
Support for the legislation comes from several organizations including the American Business Immigration Coalition (AIBC), FWD.us, National Immigration Forum, Police Officers’ Defense Coalition, and U.S. Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi commented on the bill’s importance: “This bill is a compassionate, commonsense step toward honoring those who make the ultimate sacrifice.”
Patrick Yoe of the Fraternal Order of Police praised the bill as well: “Modeled on the Gold Star Families program…the FOP is proud to support the bill.”
Jennie Murray from the National Immigration Forum described it as “a commonsense, bipartisan immigration reform,” emphasizing its role in providing stability for surviving family members.
Bert Eyler from the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition noted that it affirms a moral truth by honoring and supporting families left behind by fallen officers.
This legislative effort is part of Rep. Bacon’s broader strategy on immigration reform which seeks to secure borders and address systemic issues within U.S. immigration policies.
