Cheers and chants of ¡sí, se puede! broke out in the chamber as the House of Representatives passed the Dream and Promise Act on Tuesday, by a vote of 237 to 187. All Democrats present voted yes, and were joined by seven Republicans.
The legislation, introduced in March by Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Nydia Velázquez, and Yvette Clarke, puts about 1 million Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Temporary Protected Status, and Deferred Enforced Departure eligible individuals onto a path to legal status and citizenship.
Today’s vote is also historic: the Dream and Promise Act’s passage by the House marks the first time in a decade that the chamber has passed permanent protections for undocumented immigrant communities.
“Today on the floor of this House, we have the opportunity to be part of history,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before today’s vote. “To be on the right side of history. But more importantly, to be on the right side of the future by voting and recognizing the value of Dreamers to that future.”