House Approves Velazquez Immigration Bill

Dream & Promise Act Would Aid Dreamers, TPS & DED Beneficiaries

Washington, D.C.­­ – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation authored by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) that would protect recipients of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure from deportation and provide those communities with a path to citizenship. Velázquez's bill, the "American Promise Act" passed as part of H.R. 6, House Democrats' flagship immigration bill, which also protects Dreamers.

"Donald Trump's hateful policies are creating a climate of fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities," said Velázquez. "Holders of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure are some of our most vulnerable neighbors who have fled natural disasters and political violence. It would be inhumane and economically disruptive to force these immigrants who have built lives in the U.S. to abruptly leave. I'm proud my legislation, the Promise Act, is included in H.R. 6 as it will provide these individuals with protection from deportation and a path to citizenship."

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has acted to terminate TPS and DED for most populations. Fortunately, so far, court injunctions have permitted TPS holders, and DED holders to continue renewing their status, yet this could change at any time. As a result, TPS holders, and DED holders now live with significant uncertainty, under the threat of possible deportation. There are an estimated 325,000 migrants from 13 TPS-designated countries residing in the United States and as many as 3,600 holders of DED status residing in the U.S. It has been estimated that at least 17,000 TPS recipients reside in New York State.

Velázquez's bill would grant green cards to immigrants with TPS or DED green cards and cancel removal proceedings if they: have been in the United States for a period of 3 years before the Act's enactment; and were eligible or had TPS on January 1, 2017 or had DED status as of January 1, 2017.

H.R. 6, including the Promise Act, now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

"I'd like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, Chairman Nadler and Congresswoman Clarke for working with me to move these provisions through the House," Velázquez concluded. "Now, we must all work together to build pressure for Senate action."

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