Filipino veterans must be receiving SSI benefits as of the date of enactment of this legislation. and must have served in the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerilla units during World War II before December 31. 1946. Under current law. individuals who receive SSI benefits must relinquish those benefits should they choose to reside outside the United States. There are approximately 25.000 Filipino veterans who became naturalized citizens under the Immigration Act of 1990. Due to their age. the 1990 Act was subsequently amended to allow these veterans to be naturalized in the Philippines. It is unclear how many Filipino veterans reside in the United States as a result of the 1990 Act. However. some veterans came with the expectation of receiving pension benefits and a recognition of their military service. Instead. many are on welfare. living in povertystricken areas. and financially unable to petition their families to immigrate to the United States. Passage of this measure would help provide for these veterans upon return to their families in the Philippines. As some of my colleagues know.
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naturalized immigrate Immigration