March 12, 2019

Hispanic Caucus Chairman Castro, Authors of the Dream and Promise Act Celebrate Landmark Bill’s Introduction

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, marked the introduction of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which is a landmark piece of legislation to reform our immigration policies and protect our nation’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, as well as our Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, allowing them to contribute fully to our country while providing a pathway to citizenship.

The bill was authored by Hispanic Caucus members Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-7), along with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-9). The bill was introduced with over 200 original cosponsors, including all 36 members of the Hispanic Caucus in the House.

“As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to continue building out the Infrastructure of Opportunity so that our next generation has an equal chance to succeed. That includes changing our immigration policies and creating a legal path forward for millions of Dreamers, TPS recipients and DED holders,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “The Dream and Promise Act, which I’m a proud original co-sponsor, does just that by providing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants that have lived in the United States for decades, if not their entire lives. This landmark piece of legislation is a top priority for the Democratic Caucus and reaffirms that we are a nation built on our immigrant heritage, and the diversity of our communities only strengthen our national fabric and economy. In the 116th Congress, the Hispanic Caucus will keep fighting to create equal opportunities for all Americans, protecting immigrant families, and making sure our nation stands by our values.”

“As a co-author of the original Dream Act, and as the congresswoman for the district with the nation's largest Dreamer population, it is a privilege to lead today’s introduction of the Dream and Promise Act,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), lead author of the Dream and Promise Act.  “I have seen firsthand the love that our Dreamers have for our country.  They are our neighbors and colleagues who help strengthen our communities.  They are students, scientists, researchers, and small business owners.  Our Dream and Promise Act recognizes the contributions and patriotism of Dreamers, TPS recipients, and DED beneficiaries by helping them stay in America, pursue a path to citizenship, and keep strengthening our great country.  I look forward to fighting for the passage of this pivotal legislation in the House, and making it the law of the land.”

“For two years, the Trump Administration has viciously targeted some of our most vulnerable immigrant communities creating a climate of uncertainty and fear. Whether it is Dreamers who arrived here as children or TPS or DED recipients who came here fleeing desperate conditions, we need to make clear to these immigrants – our friends and neighbors – that we stand with them and they are here to stay,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-7), co-author of the Dream and Promise Act. “I’m proud to join with my colleagues, Congresswomen Roybal-Allard and Yvette Clarke, in introducing this legislation, which would provide these communities with protections under the law and a path toward citizenship.”

“I’m proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my colleagues of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to boldly declare that now is the time for legislation that protects Dreamers, TPS holders and DED beneficiaries,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-9), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Immigration Task Force. “I am proud to be a co-lead, along with Representatives Roybal-Allard and Velazquez, of H.R. 6 the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. This bill provides a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and those covered by Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure and builds upon the Dream Act, the American Promise Act, and the bi-partisan ASPIRE TPS Act, which I introduced last Congress. As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I am proud to see this bill come to life. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill and hope the President will sign it into law.”

In 2017, the Trump Administration rescinded the DACA program which eviscerated protections for Dreamers. Although court injunctions have so far permitted Dreamers to renew, they are currently forced to live in legal limbo with uncertain futures ahead. This bill would provide a pathway to citizenship for eligible Dreamers who entered the U.S. under the age of 18 and who were continuously present in the U.S. for 4 years prior to the date of the bill’s enactment.  Dreamers would be provided conditional permanent resident status and would need to fulfill an education, employment, or military track to adjust to permanent resident status.

In addition, the Dream and Promise Act would secure permanent residency for people with TPS and DED. After five years, those permanent residents would be eligible to apply to become citizens. On average, TPS recipients have lived in the United States for 20 years, building a new life for themselves and their families. Similarly, DED recipients have lived in the United States and contributed to their communities since 2007.  People with TPS and DED are just as American as Dreamers, working hard every day to pursue their American Dream.

This bill is designed to promote justice and fairness for Dreamers, and for the TPS and DED holders who had fled brutality, violence and natural disasters many years ago to come to this country. 

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.