Immigrant rights advocates burst into cheers and applause after the House Judiciary Committee this week approved legislation that would put millions of immigrants on a path to legalization and citizenship. It was a moment a decade in the making: “The bill is one of the most significant pieces of pro-immigrant legislation to be voted on—and passed—in years,” America’s Voice noted.
Legislators split the Dream And Promise Act of 2019—which would create permanent protections for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status, and Deferred Enforced Departure holders—into parts for consideration. Both, along with TPS protections for Venezuelans, passed the committee for consideration on the House floor, but not before Republicans repeatedly tried to insert poison pill amendments to derail it.
One poison pill amendment cruelly attempted to “block parents from being able to adjust to legal status through their Dreamer children,” which Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren slammed as creating a form of second-class citizenship. “All those ... who go on to become citizens must have the same rights and privileges as any others,” she said. “The bill,” the UndocuBlack Network said, “offers due process for immigrants and ensures that vacated convictions and marijuana possession do not preclude people from eligibility.”
The bill is expected to get a floor vote by next month. It stands to be a historic moment, due to past Republican House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan having blockaded any pro-immigrant legislation in favor of giving floor votes to Iowa’s foremost white supremacist, Steve King. In fact, the last time the Dream Act saw the House floor was in 2010, during Nancy Pelosi’s first term as speaker. The bill’s future in the Senate will be a different story, but advocates are eager to bring it on.
“Well, you know, Mitch McConnell, unfortunately likes to call himself the Grim Reaper,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who was seen high-fiving a colleague following the Dream Act’s passage this week. “He presides over the graveyard of all good things that help American people. So it's up to Mitch McConnell, whether he's up to the challenge of leadership or whether he just wants to preside over death.” Those most affected by the administration’s policies are also celebrating this victory.
“Last night’s passage of the Dream and Promise Act out of committee is the result of a hard-fought battle won because of the might of our people, members and allies,” said UndocuBlack’s Patrice Lawrence. “While the bill is not everything we asked for and pushed for, we are celebrating the historic wins we achieved. We remain watchful through this process and look forward to getting this bill passed through the House in early June.”