WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bipartisan legislation introduced in both the Senate and House today would provide temporary protection for undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children.
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) reintroduced the BRIDGE Act, which would protect young immigrants from deportation and provide work authorization for those who have received or are eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Kamala Harris (D-California).
In the House of Representatives, Reps. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) and Luis Gutiérrez (D-Illinois) introduced a companion bill to the BRIDGE Act. Original co-sponsors include Reps. Jeff Denham (R-California), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-California), Carlos L. Curbelo (R-Florida), Zoe Lofgren (D-California), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida) and Judy Chu (D-California).
These bipartisan bills would allow DACA recipients to continue to work and contribute to our country in ways that benefit all Americans without fear of deportation should the incoming administration end DACA.
“Members of Congress should pass the BRIDGE Act, which is an essential first step to protect young immigrants who contribute to America’s economy,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “A clean BRIDGE Act would give legislators the time to craft effective, long-lasting solutions.”