The house passed the American Dream and Promise Act with 237 to 187 votes on June 4, 2019.
232 Democrats co-sponsored the bill which provides Green card and protections from trump’s executive orders even when there are zero(0) republican sponsors for HR. 6 in house at this time.
The American dream act will create a pathway to citizenship for DACA dreamers who are basically undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as minors.
The law was initiated by Democratic Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard of California and claims to provide relief to more than two million immigrants.
This article will discuss:
Chances of American Dream Act Approval
The chances of American Dream Act for DACA passing are very good in house with democrats majority. But, the bill will face strong opposition in republican majority Senate.
The bill is making news headlines at this time but may not finally be signed by president Trump as he is more in favor of merit based US immigration. The bill would need to be passed by Senate and then Trump to make it a law.
American Dreamers Act Green Card Conditions
You are eligible for getting a US green card if you
- You have been continuously physically present in the United States for at-least 4 years before the date of the final president approval of American Dream Act.
- You were younger than 18 years of age at the time of initially entering the United States
- You have no committed any state or federal crime including domestic violence in USA.
You will get US green card for 10 years with no restrictions on what kind of work you can do. You will be eligible to get professional, commercial, and business licenses to make a living.
DACA Dreamers
The DACA removal order will be cancelled and permanent residence (green card) will be given on conditions:
- You were granted DACA unless you became ineligible for DACA renewal; or
- You were never granted DACA but you would have been eligible for it as per Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012, in place before it was taken away on Sept. 5, 2017.
Employment Based H1B, H4 Dreamer Protection
There are no clauses in American Dream and Promise Act to help H4 and L2 dependent kids, who are commonly known as H4 Dreamers. Democrats always have an inclination to protect the rights on un-documented immigrants than the legal immigrants.
As a matter of fact, Democrats Eshoo and Lofgren have introduced the H4 EAD protection Act twice in house but have done nothing more to make it move forward.
House Democrats voted against an amendment that would have included children H1B and other work based visas that are waiting in line for decades.
3 Republicans said Yes with 8 Democrats opting for NO to add H4 dependents to American Dream Act along with DACA dreamers as shared by Aspiring Dreamer on twitter:
.@HouseDemocrats voted against an amendment that would have included children of long term visa holders who have grown up in the USA on E2, H1b, and other visas. These kids are in the same situation as DACA kids.
3 Republican Yeas, 8 Democratic Nays. Absolutely hypocritical. pic.twitter.com/4MwaUofOoA
— Dip Patel (@TheDipPatel) June 4, 2019
TPS and DED Immigrants
There are clauses in the bill to protect people living in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs.
TPS is a temporary status given to people whose home countries have armed conflicts, natural disaster or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. They are allowed to stay and work in the U.S. until it is safe to return back.
DED status helps people from countries to stay in USA if their country is affected by Ebola crisis. USCIS currently has this program for Liberian nationals.
Trump administration has planned to end both TPS and DED programs satrting March 30, 2020.
This H.R.6 Act will protect the rights of living on US permanently by giving them options of getting legal permanent residency (Green card) and an option to apply for US citizenship. The higher education benefits that are currently blocked for undocumented immigrants will also be removed.
DACA Dreamers Green Card Biometric
You will have to give your Biometric data which includes a photo and fingerprints taken at USCIS ASC center.
Your background checks will be conducted using your bio-metric, biographic and other data to FBI and state police reports before a green card is issued.
Dreamers Already Removed or Deported from US?
If you have already been deported from US or departed voluntarily from the US on or after January 20, 2017, you can apply for relief from outside USA if you meet the conditions for DACA Green card.
You can also apply for DACA legal status if you were enrolled in elementary school or secondary school in the United States during the 60-day period before your removal or voluntary departure.