WASHINGTON: US House passes key bills providing citizenship to dreamers, farmworker immigrants

WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives
has passed two key bills that would create a pathway to citizenship for
millions of undocumented immigrants, some migrant farmworkers and children
whose parents immigrated legally to the country, like those under the H-1B visa
programme.

The passage of the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, by the House on
Thursday by 228-197 votes, was welcomed by the President Joe Biden, who
described it as a critical first step in reforming the country’s immigration
system.

It will provide much-needed relief to temporary protected status (TPS) holders
and dreamers, young people who came here as children and know no other country,
Biden said.

“I support this bill, and commend the House of Representatives for passing
this important legislation,” Biden said in a statement.

Dreamers are basically undocumented immigrants who enter the US as children
with parents. There are nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants, including over
500,000 from India, according to a policy document issued by the Biden campaign
in November last.

Among others, the bill also provide relief for “legal dreamers,” the
foreign-born children of many non-immigrant workers, including those on H-1B,
who lose their legal status once they reach 21 years of age, which would allow
many other promising young people to pursue their version of the “American
Dream.”

The H-1B visa, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals, is a
non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in
specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees
each year from countries such as India and China.

The bill now moves to the Senate, which needs to pass the legislation before it
can be signed into law by Biden.

“My administration looks forward to working together with Congress to do the
right thing for Dreamers and TPS holders who contribute so much to our country,
and to building a 21st century immigration system that is grounded in dignity,
safety, and fairness… to create a path to citizenship for the undocumented
population in the United States,” Biden said.

The American Dream and Promise Act establishes a path to lawful permanent
resident (LPR) status for DACA recipients and for certain individuals who
either held or were eligible for TPS or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

The majority of these individuals have been in the United States for much of
their lives, often with work authorisation and temporary protections against
deportation.

“Five years after attaining full LPR status, individuals are then eligible to
apply for citizenship, a path that is supported by nearly 75 per cent of the
American public…,” Indian American Congressman Ami Bera said.

This legislation is protecting Dreamers and TPS and DED recipients, honours the
truth that immigrants are the constant reinvigoration of our country, when they
come here with their hopes and dreams and aspirations, House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi said.

“These parents bring their children, their hopes and dreams and aspirations for
a better future for their children. That courage, that determination, those
aspirations are American traits, and they all make America more American with
all of that. Indeed, they are true and legitimate heirs, these Dreamers are, of
our Founders,” Pelosi said.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and
the original sponsor of the Dream Act, said that the a legislative solution is
long overdue for Dreamers who have devoted their lives to our country,
undocumented migrant farmworkers doing backbreaking agricultural work during
this pandemic to keep food on our tables.

“If the Senate is able to join
the House in passing these bipartisan bills, we would be able to enact the most
significant immigration legislation in more than 30 years. I hope we seize this
moment,” he said.

According to FWD.US, undocumented immigrants are one of the largest groups
among the immigrant essential workforce, making up 5.2 million essential
workers, of which nearly one million are Dreamers part of the 2019 American
Dream and Promise Act who entered the US as children.

The American Dream and Promise Act also provides relief for “legal
dreamers,” the foreign-born children of many nonimmigrant workers,
including those on H-1B, who unfortunately lose their legal status when they
turn 21.

The Farm Workforce Modernisation Act will allow unauthorised farmworkers to
earn legal status in the US and update temporary agricultural worker programs
to meet our economy’s needs.
Most notably, it will provide H-2A eligibility to employers who have year-round
labour needs, which is critical for dairy and livestock, it said.
According to New American Economy, more than 500,000 DACA-eligible immigrants
are essential workers, including 62,000 in the healthcare industry alone.

Senator Dianne Feinstein said that since Obama created DACA in 2012 to
temporarily protect Dreamers, more than 800,000 individuals have registered for
the programme. California is home to the most DACA recipients, more than one in
four live in our state.

“These young people didn’t break the law, many were brought here as babies or
small children by their parents. They now go to school, work and pay taxes here
in the United States. They are US citizens in all but name,” she said.