Honor Our Commitment Act

Summary#

This bill bars the detention or removal of certain nationals of Vietnam. It applies to people who entered the United States on or before July 12, 1995, have lived continuously in the United States since that entry, and are subject to a final order of removal. The bar does not apply if the Secretary of Homeland Security finds credible facts that the person directly harmed U.S. security or if the person is subject to extradition. The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to authorize employment for covered persons and provide appropriate work authorization. It also requires DHS to notify covered individuals within 60 days and provide instructions on how to file a motion to reopen removal proceedings. The bill allows an individual or entity harmed by a violation of the law to sue in federal district court for declaratory or injunctive relief and allows such suits to proceed as class actions.

What it means for you#

• If you are a national of Vietnam who entered the U.S. on or before July 12, 1995, have continuously lived in the U.S. since then, and have a final order of removal, this bill would stop your detention or deportation except in the two listed exceptions.
• Covered individuals would be eligible for work authorization and receive notice from DHS within 60 days explaining how to ask a court to reopen their removal case.
• If the bill is violated, an affected person or entity may file a lawsuit in federal district court and such lawsuits may be brought as class actions.
• If you are not a person described above, the bill does not change removal rules for you.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

Sponsors listed in the bill metadata: J. Correa; Derek Tran; Henry Johnson; Dave Min.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.