California Senator Alex Padilla reintroduced a bill on Wednesday that, if passed, would protect the more than 250,000 non-DACA Dreamers living in the country.
These Dreamers can be deported as early as age 21, even if they came to the United States legally as children.
The America’s Children Act seeks to protect these youth, although they have legal status due to their parents’ visas, not citizenship or residency.
“They will basically be new protections for children who came with their parents, entered the United States on the basis of employment visas,” explained Cesar Bautista, an immigration attorney.
The bill also promises to create additional citizenship opportunities.
“These documented DREAMers are American in all respects except one: their parents’ permanent residency is tied to the country’s bureaucracy. This law is much more than just immigration reform, it’s about righting a moral wrong.” which is a product of our antiquated migration system,” Padilla said.
Andrea Solis is a dreamer who says that even though she grew up in America, she feels her future is uncertain.
“I have 2 years before I graduate and after that I don’t know what my reality will be. I feel like I don’t have a guaranteed future in this country even though I grew up here, I graduated high school here graduated from school, ”said Andrea.
The only hope of the girl is that Congress will give green signal to this bill so that she and her family can live peacefully.
“I hope Congress and the Senate can pass this legislation that is extremely important to me and my family. My sister will have to self-deport in two months when she turns 21,” Andrea said. .
Lawmakers are introducing this bipartisan legislation amid growing calls from Congress to promote common sense immigration reform.
