North Miami-Dade News

This week, Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), along with several other co-sponsors, reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 1589). The bipartisan legislation aims to provide permanent legal status to Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children—as well as recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

The bill is particularly significant for communities like Miami, home to many Dreamers who have grown up in the U.S., built families, and contributed to local economies. "This country has no better opportunity than now to give the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who have lived among us as friends, family, and members of our communities the dignity they were promised many years ago," stated Rep. Salazar. She expressed pride in co-leading the act, emphasizing it is time for Dreamers and their families to be recognized as Americans.

Rep. Garcia added that Dreamers are "American in every way but on paper" and stressed their vital contributions to society. "Our nation cannot afford to lose the small business owners, the talent, the artists, the aspiring public servants, and the drive that Dreamers bring," she said.

Key provisions of the American Dream and Promise Act include granting eligible Dreamers conditional permanent residence for ten years while providing a pathway to citizenship through full Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status. It also offers LPR status to TPS or DED beneficiaries and ensures protections during application processes under this act.

Furthermore, eligible Dreamers will gain access to federal financial aid and can apply for relief from abroad. The act also prevents penalties on states offering in-state tuition based on residency criteria.

The 2025 version mirrors previous iterations passed by Congress in earlier sessions. Rep. Salazar has consistently supported practical immigration reform since her tenure began at the House of Representatives.

Dreamers contribute significantly both economically and fiscally; DACA recipients alone pay approximately $6.2 billion in federal taxes annually alongside $3.3 billion towards state/local taxes according to estimates from The Center for American Progress which suggests potential GDP growth by $799 billion over ten years if citizenship pathways become available.

Economic models predict such pathways could increase wages nationwide while creating new jobs across sectors with DACA recipients having earned nearly $27.9 billion collectively last year despite current restrictions barring them from certain benefits like Social Security or Medicare.