WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation to protect Dreamers and other immigrants has passed committee votes, clearing the first hurdle on the path to becoming law.
Two bills, the Dream Act of 2019 and the American Promise Act of 2019, passed the House Judiciary Committee late Wednesday and will likely be rejoined as a single bill, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, before heading to the House floor for a vote in early June.
The bill would give Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other Dreamers, as well as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients, the opportunity to earn eventual citizenship if they meet certain requirements. It would provide an estimated 2.7 million Dreamers and other immigrants with certainty instead of leaving them at the mercy of court decisions.
“Americans across the political spectrum recognize the value of Dreamers to their communities and support a permanent solution that allows them to live without fear of deportation,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “This issue goes beyond partisan politics — Democrats and Republicans alike should do what they can to support efforts like the Dream and Promise Act, regardless of who proposes them.
“Practical, bipartisan immigration solutions are in the best interest of American workers and their families. Congress needs to put politics aside and get this done.”