Courtesy of Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s Office:
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) cosponsored H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. The legislation would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to continue to contribute, work, and remain legally in the United States by providing an earned pathway to citizenship.
“By working in our communities, succeeding in our schools, and serving in our military, Dreamers and TPS recipients on the central coast of California are Americans in every way but on paper. The majority is presenting the Dream and Promise Act as a comprehensive, workable solution so that these individuals are no longer stuck in limbo, and have an earned pathway to citizenship. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give our neighbors the opportunity to remain in and continue to contribute to this country,” said Congressman Panetta.
In 2017, the Administration announced its decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Although court injunctions have so far permitted current DACA recipients to renew, their status remains in limbo. 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 four 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.
