Jayapal criticized the current administration’s immigration policies, arguing that "under President Trump’s cruel immigration policies, many are terrified that DACA could be struck down. / X/@PramilaJayapal

Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Sylvia Garcia have reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act, a bipartisan bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ or undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. It would also include Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) beneficiaries. The bill has garnered the support of 201 members of Congress and nearly 120 organizations.

“As an immigrant who came to this country at 16 years old and founded the largest immigrant rights organization in Washington State before coming to Congress, I’m proud to stand with Dreamers as they pursue a roadmap to citizenship,” Jayapal said in an official statement. “For far too long, Dreamers have had to live in the shadows as they do essential work in communities across the country.”

Today, I was proud to stand with my colleagues to reintroduce the American Dream and Promise Act to give Dreamers a roadmap to citizenship.

Dreamers do essential work across our nation — let’s finally pass this bipartisan bill to give them the security & protection they deserve. pic.twitter.com/xBxQaxkN0h

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 27, 2025

The bill was introduced alongside co-authors Nydia Velázquez and Yvette Clarke and co-leads Maria Elvira Salazar, Zoe Lofgren , Lou Correa , Judy Chu, and Delia Ramirez.

Today, I joined @RepSylviaGarcia to reintroduce The American Dream and Promise Act.

My work with Dreamers began long before coming to Congress, and even as the Trump administration puts in place cruel and extreme immigration policies, I will continue to stand with Dreamers. pic.twitter.com/8G5j1S65As

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 26, 2025

Push for permanent protections

If passed, the American Dream and Promise Act would provide long-term protections to millions of Dreamers and TPS holders who have lived, studied, and worked in the U.S. for decades, according to the statement. According to estimates, the average DACA recipient arrived in the U.S. at age six and has lived in the country for about 20 years.

"Dreamers are American in every way but on paper," Garcia said. "Our nation cannot afford to lose the small business owners, the talent, the artists, the aspiring public servants, and the drive that Dreamers bring. If that’s not American, I don’t know what is."

The bill arrives at a time of heightened uncertainty for Dreamers, with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) facing legal challenges. Jayapal criticized the current administration’s immigration policies, arguing that "under President Trump’s cruel immigration policies, many are terrified that DACA could be struck down, Dreamers could be deported, and their families could be torn apart. But Dreamers are Americans and Dreamers are home. It’s past time that we give them citizenship."

Call for action

Advocates of the bill emphasize the economic impact of Dreamers and TPS holders, who collectively contribute billions to the U.S. economy. DACA recipients alone pay $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in state and local taxes annually. A study by the Center for American Progress estimates that providing Dreamers with a pathway to citizenship could boost the U.S. GDP by $799 billion over the next decade.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke underscored the importance of ensuring that Dreamers have a place in America’s future. "This bipartisan legislation is a step forward in addressing commonsense immigration reform, strengthening protections for TPS recipients and defending Dreamers from deportation. As long as good people and their families continue to be denied the freedoms and liberties necessary to live that dream, our work must persist."

Republican co-lead Maria Elvira Salazar echoed this sentiment, stating, "This country has no better opportunity than now to give the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who have lived among us the dignity they were promised many years ago."

With bipartisan backing, the bill faces the challenge of securing sufficient support in Congress. Advocates, including Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, stress the urgency of passing it: “At a time when Dreamers are under attack, it is more imperative than ever that Congress finally act.”

The bill also received support from Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), who emphasized the urgency of passing the legislation. “Passing this bill is long overdue,” Bera said. “Dreamers contribute to our communities, economy, and future—let’s give them the certainty they deserve.”

Proud to join @RepSylviaGarcia in reintroducing the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act to protect Dreamers and provide a pathway to citizenship.

Passing this bill is long overdue.

Dreamers contribute to our communities, economy and future— let's give them the certainty… pic.twitter.com/mvdvs5jDUa

— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) February 26, 2025