WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) joined fellow Members of Congress to introduce H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. This bill protects from deportation and provides legal permanent residence for people in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA or “Dreamers”) and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) humanitarian programs.

“I am proud to co-sponsor the Dream and Promise Act of 2019,” said Houlahan. “Dreamers are essential members of our communities who were brought here through no fault of their own and know no other home. Many of them contribute to our local economy as teachers, medical professionals, business owners, members of the military, and taxpayers. This bill will allow them and recipients of TPS and DED to stay in our country with permanent legal status. It is time for us to act and strengthen our country by fixing our broken immigration system.” 

This bill would provide a pathway to citizenship for eligible Dreamers who entered the U.S. under the age of 18 and who were continuously present in the U.S. for 4 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.

In addition, this bill would secure permanent residency for people with TPS and DED. 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.

Representative Houlahan supports comprehensive immigration reform that would strengthen our national security by investing in border security technology and personnel, that helps our economy, and that is consistent with our American values. Granting legal status to Dreamers and TPS and DED holders is a step towards that goal.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Small Business Committee.

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