Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement announcing the introduction of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2021. The bill, coauthored by Representatives Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) will enable U.S.-raised immigrant youth known as “Dreamers” to earn lawful permanent residence and American citizenship. In addition to Dreamers, the Dream and Promise Act also includes protections and a path to citizenship for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) beneficiaries.

H.R 6, The Dream and Promise Act, provides a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers, those individuals who entered the U.S under the age of 18. The bill also provides DREAMers with access to equitable higher education. For TPS and DED holders, H.R. 6, will secure permanent residency and allow them to apply for citizenship after five years. This legislation goes even further to prevent immediate deportations, establish the right to judicial review, and impose penalties on those who use application data for immigration enforcement purposes. 

“I am proud to co-lead H.R.6, the Dream and Promise Act, which provides 2.5 Million DREAMers, Temporary Protected Status, and Deferred Enforcement Departure Recipients with a pathway to citizenship. 2.5 million people who already call America home and are contributing to our society. As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Immigration Task Force, it is my passion and my duty to STAND UP for immigrants,” said Clarke. “H.R. 6, is the right thing to do for DREAMers and TPS and DED holders. Immigrants greatly contribute to our economy, our community, and our culture. Reversing the policies of the last four years is not enough. We must reimagine the immigration system in a manner that is humane, just, and fair. The time has come for the values of our nation to be reflected in our immigration policies.”

In 2001, the first DREAM Act was passed to provide DREAMers with a path to citizenship. Similarly, the American Promise Act was passed to provide TPS and DED recipients with a path to legal status. However, neither of these acts became law. This year Congresswoman Clarke, along with Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and Congresswoman Velasquez, introduced the Dream and Promise Act, which seeks a path to legal status for all of these groups. 

In 2012, President Barack Obama enacted a temporary program called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provided temporary protection from deportation and work permits for eligible DREAMers. However, in 2017, the Trump administration rescinded the program, taking DACA protections away from its 800,000 recipients. This unlawful act by the Trump administration was part of a larger effort to advance their anti-immigrant agenda. The Dream and Promise Act seeks to remedy these actions and do right by the immigrants in our country.

In 2019, H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act passed the House; however, it was not signed into law. 

In 2021, This legislation is co-sponsored by 134 members of Congress, including co-leads Clarke, Roybal-Allard, and Velasquez. The reintroduction of H.R. 6 comes as momentum continues to build for long-overdue immigration reform. Earlier this year, Representative Clarke, co-led the house version of President Joe Biden’s U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, along with six of her colleagues known as the “Closers”. This comprehensive legislation would restore humanity and American values to our immigration system. Among its many provisions, it would allow qualified, hardworking immigrants who contribute to our country and enrich their communities with a pathway to citizenship. The reintroduction of H.R. 6 is part of the strategy to further prioritize efforts to secure permanent citizenship for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and DED beneficiaries alongside the larger immigration bill.

The full bill text can be found here. 

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration, a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a Senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Media contact: Remmington Belford Remmington.belford@mail.house.gov c: 202.480.5737