American Dream and Promise Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Speaker, I am so very proud to rise in strong support of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act.

At the heart and the core of this bill are 2.5 million people who are American in every single way but paper. Dreamers, and those with temporary protective status and DED, are integral parts of our communities and families; a community of strivers who have given and will continue to contribute to America in the finest of our traditions as a Nation.

Over 400,000 U.S. citizens live in a household with TPS holders. They own homes in our communities and fill critical workforce gaps central to our economic and community development, including in construction, food service and landscaping.

And Dreamers, too, have long-called the United States their home. One of those Dreamers is Esther, who interned in my office last year.

Esther came to the United States on a visa when she was 3 years old from South Korea. Her parents sought to obtain more permanent legal status. They gave an immigration lawyer most of their money, and he ran away with all of it. Esther's parents' visas expired.

They pushed their kids around in a shopping cart because a stroller was too expensive. But they started over and they built their lives here, raising a smart, passionate daughter who went to Harvard.

The DACA status that Esther obtained in 2013 helped her to pursue her own American dream. And this bill would give her, and so many millions more, true freedom.

At the core of this bill, Madam Speaker, is the dignity and respect that we accord to human beings, the way in which we see people and exercise our own compassion.

We have a rare opportunity today to provide permanent protections for Dreamers and TPS and DED holders, not just for them, but also for the approximately 1 million U.S.-born children whose parents would get permanent protection.

This is a first step, not a last. We must stop criminalizing immigrants at every turn, even as we willingly accept their labor and contributions.

We cannot allow xenophobia and racism to permeate our country from its top ranks. We must continue the work to pass germane and just, comprehensive immigration reform that provides a roadmap to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, strengthens family-based immigration, and protects workers' rights on the job.

But today, Madam Speaker, we have a chance to right real wrongs for these young people and TPS and DED holders. And I thank Chairman Nadler, the incredible Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chairwoman, Zoe Lofgren, and my colleagues, Representatives Roybal- Allard, Velazquez, and Clarke for their hard work to bring this forward.

I also thank our staffers--including mine--Jennifer Chan in my office, but most of all, Madam Speaker, I thank the Dreamers, TPS and DED holders, families, friends, and advocates, many of whom are here in this Chamber.

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Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Speaker, I thank the Dreamers, TPS and DED holders, the families, friends and advocates, many of whom are right here in this Chamber with us.

Thank you for your courage in speaking out.

Thank you for demanding a different and more just future for our country.

Thank you for knowing that we always make the road by walking and for never giving up.

Madam Speaker, we have a chance to affirm the hope and promise of America. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

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