With cheers of “Sí se puede!” and “Yes we can!” echoing in the gallery, the U.S. House of Representatives last week passed the Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6), legislation that—if enacted—would provide about 2.5 million immigrants with a path to citizenship.
The bipartisan bill extends necessary protections to certain immigrant youth brought to the U.S. as children, known as Dreamers, as well as current or potential holders of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), which is granted to immigrants whose countries are experiencing armed conflicts, environmental disasters or other extraordinarily unsafe conditions. For the roughly half a million U.S-born children whose parents would be affected, the bill would mean stability and relief.
At a time when the Trump administration has unleashed a barrage of attacks against immigrant families, the bill sends a message of commitment and opportunity. It reflects years of hard work, grassroots organizing, negotiations and compromise.
There’s still more work to do, but the Dream and Promise Act is a critical first step in the march toward justice for immigrants.
Click here to read a summary of the Dream and Promise Act provided by United We Dream, National Immigration Law Center and UnDocuBlack Network.