Dream and Promise Act signals a move towards humane and dignified immigration policy
SOUTHERN BORDER — Today was a momentous day in the U.S. House of Representatives, where lawmakers voted 228-197 to pass the Dream and Promise Act of 2021, protecting millions of immigrant youth and their families.
The Dream and Promise Act would protect 2.5 million people under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) — all programs that were terminated by the previous administration, making every undocumented person a priority for deportation. Specifically, it would protect the 1-in-5 Dreamers who live in the southern border region without further militarizing their communities. For immigrant youth, including the 1-in-5 Dreamers who live in the southern border, and their families, this bill is a critical step to ending the uncertainty and limbo with which they’ve lived for years.
While this is a historic victory within the House, the bill must now pass the Senate in order for President Biden — who has said he supports the Dream and Promise Act — to sign it into law.
Dulce Garcia, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, and SBCC Steering Committee member said:
“As a DACA recipient who lives in the southern border region, the importance of this historical moment is unparalleled. Over two million people are now one step closer to a path to citizenship and a path to stability as members of our nation, and our communities. In passing this historic act, the House of Representatives is signaling a positive shift toward immigration policy that is humane, dignified and fair. The Senate must continue this move towards the future and pass the Dream and Promise Act. As we’ve said countless times: we DACA recipients and our families are beloved members of our communities, and deserve protections and a path to citizenship.”
Brenda Martinez, DACA Recipient living in New Mexico and Operations & Logistics Manager of NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fé (CAFé) said:
“We DACA recipients have been vital members of our communities for most of our lives, and many of us have been on the front lines fighting COVID-19. Today’s House vote is affirming that this is our home, that we deserve protections and a pathway to citizenship, to continue to contribute to the fabric of our communities, and this nation. I hope the Senate will recognize that we are deserving of dignity and respect, and pass the Dream and Promise Act, so that we can finally put an end to the uncertainty we’ve lived through for years.”
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BORDER COMMUNITIES COALITION
The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) brings together organizations from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas, to ensure that border enforcement policies and practices are accountable and fair, respect human dignity and human rights, and prevent the loss of life in the region.
###