House Approves Two Immigration-Related Bills

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the House approved the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Overview

The American Dream and Promise Act would provide a pathway for over 2.3 million individuals who were brought to the country as minors to gain legal status and ultimately become U.S. citizens.

If the American Dream and Promise Act becomes law, it would allow recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and other undocumented foreign nationals, the opportunity to apply for a 10-year permanent residence status, provided they meet several requirements. To be eligible, recipients must have meet certain educational, military service, or employment thresholds.

The Act would also create a pathway to permanent residence for as many as 300,000 individuals holding Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. Along with the provisions above, it would allow certain children of U.S. work visa holders who are awaiting their green cards to gain permanent resident status.

The Act’s passage follows an executive order signed by President Biden on Jan. 20, 2021 that would afford greater legal protection to DACA program recipients.

Along with the American Dream and Promise Act, the House also passed H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would allow certain agricultural workers and their dependents to earn permanent resident status through long-term employment in the agricultural sector. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would also change the H-2A guest worker program by allowing many seasonal workers to stay in the U.S. year-round rather than requiring them to leave when their seasonal employment ends, and it would reduce administrative burdens that can prevent U.S. agricultural employers from hiring foreign workers in a timely manner.

Collectively, both pieces of legislation could provide a pathway to citizenship for more than 11 million individuals.

Looking Ahead

Both bills must be passed by the Senate and signed by the President before they become law.

Envoy Global and Global Immigration Associates (GIA) will provide more information as it becomes available.


Envoy is pleased to provide you this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Ian Love, who is a Partner at Global Immigration Associates, P.C. (www.giafirm.com), Envoy’s affiliated law firm.

Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an Envoy-affiliated attorney or another qualified professional.