Overview
- The leaked November 15 memo directs the VA’s Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness to compile a report for Secretary Doug Collins by December 30.
- The order covers full- and part-time employees, contractors, health professional trainees and volunteers across the VA’s national system.
- A VA spokesperson confirmed the department will share adverse findings with other federal agencies for enforcement, when appropriate.
- The memo focuses only on noncitizens and does not describe a parallel review for U.S. citizens, drawing objections from lawmakers and immigration advocates.
- Critics warn the effort could demoralize a workforce of more than 450,000 and harm patient care, while the VA defends the review as legally required continuous vetting.