Washington, D.C. — This week, the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary will markup H.R. 2820 and H.R. 2821, provisions of the American Dream and Promise Act that together offer a path to citizenship to Dreamers and beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Tom Jawetz, vice president for Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement in response:
It has been a long road since 2010, when the U.S. House of Representatives last passed the Dream Act, and longer still since such legislation was first introduced nearly 20 years ago. We are thrilled to see the House Judiciary Committee this week move toward a markup of the Dream and Promise Act, which would put 2.5 million Dreamers and TPS and DED beneficiaries on a pathway to citizenship. Where the Trump administration has created chaos and spewed vitriol, this legislation offers hope, protection, and stability that families, communities, and businesses around the country desperately need. We urge the House Judiciary Committee to move this legislation out of committee and bring it to the floor without delay.
The average Dreamer arrived in the United States at age 8, while the average TPS beneficiary has been in the country for 22 years. Together they contribute $27.1 billion annually in federal, state, and local taxes, helping to fuel both the American economy and culture. Passing legislation would send one of the clearest signals that Dreamers and TPS and DED beneficiaries are vital not only to the fabric of our families and communities, but also to the nation as a whole.
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For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Kyle Epstein at [email protected] or 202.481.8137.