Preparation
This policy brief is to educate readers about the facts regarding the Dream Act of 2017 and how it pertains to current immigration in the United States (U.S.). The Dream Act of 2017 has been viewed as a compromise to previous bills so that it can receive bipartisan support. This bill potentially will have difficulty passing, as the Trump administration has not wanted to provide amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Previous versions of this bill have been in circulation in Congress since 2001, but have repeatedly failed to pass.
Executive Summary
The Dream Act of 2017 has received bipartisan support and allows a route to citizenship for those who have entered the United States illegally.
Introduction
Understanding the Dream Act of 2017 is important because it will affect a significant amount of people in our country. There are currently approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, so it is evident that this bill has a major impact (Forenza, Mendonca, 2016). The Dream Act of 2017 will allow a route to citizenship because it will apply to those who are undocumented or have DACA status. These people can continue to contribute to our economy, as they will also be able to attend college, join the military, and enter the workforce. This bill has had bipartisan support from the public and our congressional leaders.
Approach and Results
The Dream Act of 2017 is the result of multiple revisions of bills introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate with the intent to address the barriers which prevented young undocumented immigrants from an education; undocumented immigrants have been unable to attend college due to some states not accepting undocumented students. The Dream Act of 2017 provides benefits of legal immigration status, as well as an opportunity for young immigrants to eventually become US citizens. This bipartisan approach has been in response to the over 800,000 individuals utilizing DACA. Earlier versions of the Dream Act required applicants to complete at least two years of higher education or join the military to be granted legal status; the Dream Act of 2017 includes an employment option and also provides a hardship exemption for those who are unable to attend school, military, or work (Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, 2017).
Several versions of the Dream Act have been in Congress since 2001. The Immigrant Children’s Educational Advancement and Dropout Prevention Act and the Student Adjustment Act were first introduced to eliminate the barriers that prevented undocumented immigrants from getting an education. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah then introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) on August 1, 2001, which was based on these two previous attempts. This first attempt of the Dream Act had bipartisan support but still failed to pass in Congress (Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, 2017). The Dream Act continued to get shut down.
President Barack Obama issued an executive order that prevent further deportation of undocumented immigrants in June 2012, which is known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). These undocumented immigrants had to be under 30 years old but had arrived in the US prior to turning 16 years old, have lived in the US for five years or more, did not pose a security threat, nor have been convicted of a felony or more than three misdemeanors (Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, 2017). Those who have utilized DACA are called Dreamers because this action is based on the Dream Act, however DACA and the Dream Act are two separate entities.
President Donald Trump, who had vowed to eliminate the country of undocumented immigrants, issued an executive order to repeal the protections for those without permanent residency. This executive order, which was called Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, was issued January 2017. President Trump also announced the end to the DACA program, despite the fact that 800,000 applicants had been approved by Immigration Services (Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, 2017).
As a result of President Trump’s repeal, the Dream Act of 2017, or S.1615, was a bipartisan effort and was introduced on July 20, 2017 by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (NILC, 2018). Because of public outcry, over 200 legislators signed on to support the Dream Act of 2017. As of March 2018, The Dream Act of 2017 had been read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Dream Act of 2017 allows the Department of Homeland Security to grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis. Per the Congressional website, someone who qualifies “(1) has been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding this bill's enactment; (2) was younger than 18 years of age on the initial date of U.S. entry; (3) is not inadmissible on criminal, security, terrorism, or other grounds; (4) has not participated in persecution; (5) has not been convicted of specified federal or state offenses; and (6) has fulfilled specified educational requirements” (115th Congress, 2018). Republicans have called for immigration policies to include an increase in border patrol however, indicated by the 2019 budget that includes $18 billion to fund a wall between the United States and Mexico (White House, 2018).
Proponents of the Dream Act of 2017 have called this the “strongest Dream Act” so far, as it has expanded the age of arrival to 18 years old instead of 16 years old, as well as provides hardship exemptions for those who cannot work, go to school, or attend the military due to being a full-time caregiver. DACA recipients would then have Conditional Permanent Residency and new approved applicants would also receive this status. Those with Conditional Permanent Residency will have that status for eight years before applying for Legal Permanent Residency; to apply for Legal Permanent Residency, one must demonstrate employment for a total of 3 years, complete 2 years of higher education, complete 2 years of military service or receive an honorable discharge, or receive a hardship waiver (Medium, 2018).
Conclusion
Policies allowing undocumented individuals the ability to stay without fear of deportation reduce the rate of high school dropout rate, as well as increases the enrollment rate in college for this population (Forenza, Mendonca, 2016). They are able to accomplish what their families intended for them to do: better their lives. Our country has boasted its ability to provide better opportunities; undocumented families have arrived to this country to accomplish just that.
Implications and recommendations
Voters in our country need to encourage their representatives to pass the Dream Act of 2017-2018. This Act will allow undocumented immigrants the path to a legal status so that they can contribute to our economy. There is no evidence that they are arriving in our country to take advantage of social welfare, as some opponent have stated. The Dream Act of 2017-2018 requires that applicants participate in the workforce, therefore it will not drain our resources. It is a lengthy process that provides people with the opportunity to prove that they want to be a part of our country.
Executive Summary
The USA Act of 2018 provides a permanent residency status for alien’s meeting specific requirements. The bill provides Dreamers with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status if they pursue higher education, enlist in the military or are gainfully employed, and meet other requirements. The USA Act 2018 provides a solution for Dreamers. The USA Act works because it is a bipartisan, legislative solution, supports our country’s values, and makes our country safer.
Introduction
The USA Act of 2018 is a bill that provides conditional permanent resident status for an alien meeting specific requirements, including having entered the United States when younger than 18 years old and residing in the United States since December 31, 2013 (115th Congress, 2018). The Department of Homeland Security will cancel the removal of, and adjust the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on a conditional basis. An individual who is granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status, unless the individual has engaged in disqualifying conduct (115th Congress, 2018).
Approach and Results
On January 16, 2018 with 48 bipartisan original cosponsors Representatives Will Hurd (R-Texas) and Pete Aguilar (D-California) introduce the Uniting and Securing American Act (USA) Act H.R. 4796. The bill provides Dreamers who have lived in the U.S. for at least four years, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status if they pursue higher education, enlist in the military or are gainfully employed, and meet other requirements (Penichet-Paul, 2018). The bill will also strength America’s border security using technology, investments in ports of entry, and development of a comprehensive southern border strategy, among other effective border security measures (Penichet-Paul, 2018).
The USA Act 2018 provides a solution for Dreamers. The bill will create a renewable eight-year conditional permanent resident status that would allow Dreamers to earn the ability to be protected from deportation, work legally in the U.S., travel outside the country and apply to be a lawful permanent resident if they meet certain requirements (Penichet-Paul, 2018). The USA Act 2018 will implement an expanded version of Representative Hurd’s (R-Texas) Secure Miles with All Resources and Technology (SMART) Act to strengthen border security through the following measures: Deploy Technology at the Border, Invest in Ports of Entry Infrastructure, Develop a Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy, Eradicate Carrizo Cane and Salt Cedar Along the Rio Grande, Authorize Operation Stonegarden, and Improve Conditions in Central America (Penichet-Paul, 2018).
Conclusion
The USA Act provides Dreamers who have lived in the U.S. for at least four years, including DACA recipients, with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status if they pursue higher education, enlist in the military or are gainfully employed, and meet other requirements. The USA Act will also strength America’s border security using technology, investments in ports of entry, and development of a comprehensive southern border strategy, among other effective border security measures. The USA Act works because it is a bipartisan, legislative solution, supports our country’s values, and makes our country safer (Penichet-Paul, 2018).
Implications and Recommendations
The USA Act will protect Dreamers from deportation if they pursue higher education, military service or are gainfully employed, allowing them to reach their full potential and the opportunity to become American in the eyes of the law, contributing to a brighter future for all Americans and our communities. The USA Act will reduce the immigration system backlog that keeps families in limbo for years. The USA Act will achieve operational control of the border with enhanced technology, manpower and physical barriers when deemed necessary. The USA Act offers permanent legislative solution for young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. The USA Act should work with other bills addressing immigration such as the Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).