It’s a big day for landmark immigration legislation. The House Judiciary Committee has split the Dream and Promise Act into several parts for consideration and a vote, but taken together, the legislation would put millions of immigrants who have had their temporary protections under threat by the Trump administration on a path to legalization.
“Steps to pass the Dream and Promise Act,” immigrant rights advocacy group America’s Voice said, “come after President Trump made the cruel decision to strip away the legal status of Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, throwing their lives and communities into chaos.” The legislation, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard of California and Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Yvette Clarke of New York in March, currently has the support of more than 230 House sponsors.
Few things have been as popular in polling as allowing DACA recipients to stay, with some poll results nearing 90% support. In anticipation of Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing, more than 400 groups, including Daily Kos, released a letter urging House leaders to act as soon as possible: “There are many parts of the immigration system that urgently need fixing, but protecting Dreamers and beneficiaries of TPS and DED cannot wait.”
Yatta Kiazolu can’t wait. Even though the 28-year-old Liberian DED holder has lived in the U.S. since she was just 6, she could face being deported to a country she no longer recognizes or considers home. The University of California, Los Angeles Ph.D. candidate said that “this last year has been very anxiety ridden. It’s been hard to make long-term plans because this impacts every single part of your life. I’ve had to pass up job opportunities.”
This legislation is also significant in that it ties none of this legalization to increased funding for border militarization and Trump’s mass deportation force, something Republicans will no doubt try to change with poison pill amendments. Kiazolu and millions of others need your help to keep the bills as is and ensure passage through the House. Make a call today at 202-883-8577 and tell legislators to pass these permanent protections without any harmful provisions now.