The American Dream and Promise Act provides an earned pathway for Dreamers who were brought to the U.S. as children to adjust to legal permanent resident (LPR) status, commonly known as a green card, if they have completed requirements for education, employment, or military service. It would also allow eligible Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a pathway to obtain a green card. Many of these individuals are longtime residents and play active roles in American communities and the economy. This legislation would offer them permanent status and stability, as well as relieve pressure from an overburdened immigration system.

The bill was first introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in early 2025 by Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) but was stalled in committee and has not been considered on the House floor. We need your help to make this proposal a reality.

Why This Matters

President Trump’s mass deportation campaign is harming our communities. Despite the majority of Americans supporting citizenship for Dreamers and DACA holders who came to the U.S. as children, the Department of Homeland Security has recently jailed or deported over 260 DACA recipients. Over 1 million individuals in the United States lost their protection in the last two years alone because the second Trump Administration terminated TPS for 13 countries. These individuals now face return to countries marked by conflict, violence, and political instability.

In their document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) notes that “Comprehensive reform is urgently necessary to fix a broken immigration system and should include a broad and fair legalization program with a path to citizenship.” The American Dream and Promise Act would keep eligible individuals from entering an overburdened immigration court pipeline, allowing resources to focus on high-priority cases and clearing backlogs.

The Impact

Many Dreamers and TPS recipients have been in the United States for decades, started families, and have U.S. citizen children. They work, own businesses, and are integral parts of our communities. Without this bill, families will be separated, our communities will suffer, and critical industries will experience labor shortages.

In 2023, DACA-eligible people and TPS holders together contributed more than $16.7 billion in taxes. In 2021, the Center for American Progress estimated that the national GDP could grow by $799 billion over the next decade if Dreamers were provided a pathway to citizenship. States like Florida are most likely to feel the impact of this Administration’s harsh policies, with 31 percent of TPS holders residing in the state; Haitian TPS holders alone contribute approximately $2.6 billion to its economy. In New York, thousands of TPS holders help fill staff shortages, providing critical care as nurses, nursing assistants, home health aides, and long-term care facility aides. The American Dream and Promise Act would offer stability to thousands of vulnerable people, as well as the communities they contribute to.

Take Action

Join the Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology and JRS/USA in asking your elected representatives to support the American Dream and Promise Act. Encourage the House and Senate to bring the bill forward for a vote. Together we can achieve sensible immigration reform.