106-21
June 13, 2000

On May 26, 2000, the President signed into law H.R. 371 (P.L. 106-207) the "Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000."

As enacted, the law:

• Removes naturalization barriers for certain Hmong by waiving the English language requirements and providing special consideration for the civics requirement. To qualify, the Hmong must have been admitted into the United States as a refugee from Laos and served with a Laotian-based special guerilla or irregular unit in support of U.S. forces at any time from February 28, 1961 through September 18, 1978.
• Allows up to 45,000 Hmongs to apply for naturalization under these special provisions no later than 18 months after May 26, 2000.

Although the bill does not establish new SSI eligibility categories, aged, blind, and disabled Hmong who enter the United States after August 22, 1996, will find it easier to become U.S. citizens and, as such, would remain eligible for SSI.