Congresswoman Ramirez Coleads Introduction of the Bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act of 2023
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) co-led the introduction of the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act of the 118th Congress. The Dream and Promise Act provides a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
The act is co-authored by Congresswoman Velazquez (NY-7) and Congresswoman Clarke (NY-9). The bill is led by Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) and co-led by Congressman Correa (CA-46), Congresswoman Chu (CA-28), Congresswoman Lofgren (CA-18), Congresswoman Jayapal (WA-7), Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5), Congresswoman Salazar (FL-27), and Congressman Duarte (CA-13), and González Colón (PR- At Large).
“I am the only member of Congress married to a Dreamer. For me, today, this moment, as a new member of Congress, is extremely personal. [My Husband] said to me, ‘I’m hoping things will be different this time. Thank you for not giving up on the issue. Thank you for not giving up on us,” said Congresswoman Ramirez during her remarks. “I am proud today to stand here as a co-lead of the re-introduction of the Dream and Promise Act. This daughter of immigrants, this person, who grew up in a little neighborhood in Chicago, gets to stand with leaders on both sides of the aisle, saying, this time, this is it.”
“We are taking the first steps in the right direction to give DREAMers and immigrants, in America, many who are not children anymore, many of them who are 37, 38, and have lived here their entire life, the opportunity and pathway to citizenship, that reflects our values as a nation and as a multicultural democracy of diversity and inclusion. A first step in reuniting families and keeping them together. A first step in giving immigrants and Dreamers the opportunity of the American Dream they have fought for, for so long,” added the Congresswoman from Illinois.
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 aims to provide Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED recipients with a path to citizenship. It creates a permanent resident status for 10 years for Dreamers, grants individuals with TPS or DED a full lawful permanent resident status, and sets forth a number of provisions that protect Dreamers and immigrant families during their application for equal and fair citizenship.
To watch Congresswoman Ramirez’s full remarks, click here.
For photos of the event, click here.
To watch a recorded version of the press conference, click here.