Congressman Panetta-Cosponsored American Dream and Promise Act Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the week of March 14, 2021 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and his House colleagues passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act. Congressman Panetta is a cosponsor of the legislation, which would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to continue to contribute, work, and remain legally in the United States by providing an earned pathway to citizenship. "Dreamers and TPS recipients don’t just live here, they are employees and employers, attend school, serve in our military, own homes, and have families here. Despite their devotion and dedication to our communities, these individuals remain largely unprotected and struggle to obtain the status that they need to continue contributing to our nation,” said Congressman Panetta. “The American Dream and Promise Act would provide an earned pathway to legalization to protect the future of these immigrants and their families on the Central Coast and secure their invaluable economic and cultural contributions for the future of our country.” H.R. 6 would provide an earned pathway to citizenship for eligible Dreamers who entered the U.S. under the age of 18 and who were continuously present in the United States for four years prior to the date of the bill’s enactment. Dreamers would be provided conditional permanent resident status and would need to fulfill an education, employment, or military track to adjust to permanent resident status. The Dream and Promise Act would also secure permanent residency for people with TPS and DED. After five years, those permanent residents would be eligible to apply to become citizens. On average, TPS recipients have lived in the United States for 20 years, building a new life for themselves and their families. Similarly, DED recipients have lived in the United States and contributed to their communities since 2007.