Washington, D.C. – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today re-introduced H.R. 5636, the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Act, which allows the immediate relatives of first responders who die in the line of duty to continue to process their immigration application in a timely manner despite the death of their loved one. Under current law, the surviving family members of first responders who have pending immigration applications face delays in the naturalization process. 

The legislation, named after Omaha Police Officer and mother Kerrie Orozco who was slain by a gang member in the line of duty on May 20, 2015 passed the House on September 25, 2018, with a voice vote. However, it was not introduced in the Senate. 

“I am not going to lose sight of the loss suffered by Officer Orozco’s husband Hector and their daughter, and the fact that as a single parent he has an enormous responsibility,” said Bacon. “Every day, our first responders put their personal lives and safety at risk while protecting our communities. This legislation honors those first responders.”

“I want to thank Orozco family attorney Kristin Fearnow for her diligent work, as well as former Congressman Brad Ashford who introduced similar legislation in 2016 named after Officer Orozco,”added Bacon. “I introduced this in 2018 and 2019 and believe we can hit a home run with it this session.”

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