H.R. 7298 – Courage to Serve Act of 2024

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:35 PM UTC

The Courage to Serve Act of 2024 creates a pilot program that lets certain non‑citizens who join the U.S. Armed Forces obtain lawful permanent residence more quickly. The program is run by the Department of Homeland Security with the Defense Department and applies to aliens without current legal status or with temporary protected status who pass a background check and are eligible to enlist.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Homeland Security, with the Defense Secretary, must set up the pilot program within 180 days of the law’s enactment.
Eligibility requires a FBI background check, an application, no existing lawful immigration status (or only TPS), admissibility, and eligibility for military enlistment.
Participants must apply for permanent‑resident status within 180 days of enlisting; the government provides technical help with the application.
If a participant serves honorably for 3 years, or 1 year on active duty, or 30 days in a combat zone, their residency application receives expedited review.
Adjusted status under the program is not subject to the usual immigration numerical caps.
While in the program, participants cannot be detained or placed in removal proceedings, though they may still seek asylum or parole.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 7, 2024

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 7, 2024

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 7, 2024

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 7298 on the floor

1 Republican

Rep. John JamesR-MI-10 · Feb 28, 2024

Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 7298.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 7, 2024

I

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7298

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 7, 2024

Mr. Ryan (for himself and Mr. James) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To provide for a pilot program to accord lawful permanent residence.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Courage to Serve Act of 2024.

2.

Pilot program

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a pilot program (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the program) to provide for an expedited process for adjustment of status for certain aliens.

(b)

Eligibility

An alien is eligible to participate in the program if the alien—

(1)

successfully completes a background investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

(2)

submits an application for participation in the program at such time, in such form, and including such information as the Secretary may by rule require; and

(3)

as of the date of application to the program—

(A)

has—

(i)

no lawful status under the immigration laws; or

(ii)

temporary protected status under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(B)

is not inadmissible to the United States; and

(C)

is otherwise eligible for enlistment in the Armed Forces.

(c)

Expedited process

In the case of a participant in the program, the following shall apply:

(1)

Not later than 180 days after the date of enlistment in the Armed Forces, the participant shall submit an application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency, at such time, in such form, and including such information as the Secretary may by rule require.

(2)

The Secretary shall provide technical assistance with the preparation of an application referred to under paragraph (1).

(3)

If the alien completes 3 years of honorable service in the Armed Forces or if the alien completes 1 year of honorable service in an active-duty status in the Armed Forces or if the alien completes 30-days of honorable service in a designated combat zone, the Secretary shall provide expedited consideration of such an application.

(d)

Not subject to numerical limitations

An alien whose status is adjusted to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency under this section is not subject to the worldwide levels or numerical limitations of section 201(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

(e)

Status during participation

A participant in the program may not be detained under the immigration laws, and no removal proceeding may be commenced or continued against such participant.

(f)

Effect on other immigration benefits

Nothing in this Act may be construed to provide that application to or participation in the program precludes an alien from applying for asylum or parole.

3.

Definitions

For purposes of this Act:

(1)

Terms used have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

(2)

The term Armed Forces means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Air Force, including the reserve components.

(3)

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.