Rep. Ruiz Stands with Dreamers in Roundtable Discussion

Press Release

Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) hosted a press conference with local DACA recipients and advocates on the need for the House to pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act. Ruiz is the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). The House will vote next week on H.R. 6, which would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to contribute fully in the country they love and know to be their home by providing a pathway to citizenship.

"We are at our strongest when we embrace our immigrant communities," said Dr. Ruiz. "As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am working with leaders in the House and Senate to protect our Dreamers, bring humanity back to our immigration system, and restore our American values. Dreamers are professionals, entrepreneurs, doctors, nurses, essential workers--they create jobs, contribute to our economy, protect our public health, and so much more. The House must pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, to provide Dreamers protections and a pathway to citizenship."

"As we pull through this health and economic crisis, our nation must value and understand the essential role immigrants continue to play in keeping the country afloat," said Luz Gallegos, Executive Director of TODEC Legal Center. "It is our moral responsibility to support a sensible immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship to ensure the contributions of farmworkers and all immigrants are supported and honored since they remain at risk of family separation and job displacement. We our proud of the leadership and commitment of Congressman Raul Ruiz to protect and defend our most vulnerable populations."

"DACA has provided me relief, but it is not permanent," said Monse Gomez, a Dreamer on the call. "It is time to bring our dreams into reality and strive for immigration reform."

"I am missing out on contributing to the growth of the US economy, and yes, I live in fear of being deported and leaving behind my two young sons," said Sandra Villa, a local Dreamer. "A path to citizenship will change not only my life for the better, but my young sons'. I will be able to come out of the shadows and provide for my family without the daily worry and uncertainty of being separated from them. I will be completely free and able to contribute to my community, my state, and my country."

"I came to the U.S. at seven months old through no choice of mine," said Jim Rodriguez, another local Dreamer. "A pathway to citizenship means my patience and hard work in America is finally being rewarded. I have been here my whole life, followed all the rules, and excelled. A pathway to citizenship, put simply, gives people like myself hope. Hope that we can stay in a country that we have always called home. Hope that we will no longer be called illegal despite committing no crime. I hope this bill goes into effect because we really need it."

You can watch the full roundtable here.

BACKGROUND

The Dream and Promise Act would grant Dreamers conditional permanent resident status for 10 years, and cancel removal proceedings if they:

Have been continuously physically present in the U.S. on or before January 1, 2021;
Were 18 years old or younger on the initial date of entry into the U.S.;
Are not inadmissible on the following grounds: criminal, security and terrorism, smuggling, student visa abuse, ineligibility for citizenship, polygamy, international child abduction, unlawful voting, or former citizens who renounced citizenship to avoid taxation; and have not participated in persecution;
Other than a state offense for which an essential element is the person's immigration status or a minor traffic violation, have not been convicted of:
any federal or state offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than 1 year;
3 or more federal or state offenses for which the person was convicted on different dates and imprisoned for an aggregate of 90 days or more;
a crime of domestic violence (unless the applicant is a victim themselves of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse or neglect, elder abuse or neglect, or human trafficking, having been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, or having been a victim of criminal activity); and
Graduate from high school, obtain a GED or industry recognized credential, or are in a program assisting students in obtaining a high school diploma, GED or equivalent exam, or in an apprenticeship program.
Pass security and law enforcement background checks pay a reasonable application fee and register for the Selective Service if required.
The Dream and Promise Act would grant individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) LPR status and cancel removal proceedings if they:

Have been in the United States for a period of 3 years before the Act's enactment; and
Were eligible or had TPS on September 17, 2017 or had DED status as of January 20, 2021.

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