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Rep. Soto Co-Sponsors Dream and Promise Act of 2019

March 12, 2019

Washington, DCToday, Rep. Soto joined fellow Members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 to protect our nation's Dreamers, as well as our Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, allowing them to contribute fully to Florida's communities and our country while providing a pathway to citizenship.

Stated Rep. Soto: "DREAMers, TPS and DED holders are Americans in every sense of the word, in every way that counts. There's an estimated 100,000 DREAMers in Florida alone. I've had the honor of meeting with numerous DREAMers throughout Central Florida who are contributing tremendously to our community. With them in mind, I am proud to join my colleagues as an original co-sponsor of the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. Democrats are taking decisive action to protect these proud Americans from the Trump Administration's callous attempts to strip away their critical status, so they can continue strengthening our nation."

Background:

In 2017, the Trump Administration eviscerated protections for Dreamers when the decision was made to rescind the DACA program. Although court injunctions have so far permitted Dreamers to renew, their status remains in limbo. HR6 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 5 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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House Democrats introducing H.R.6 at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol on March 12, 2019

Issues:Immigration