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Protect DREAMers and TPS Holders, Support the Dream and Promise Act

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/13/19) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all Americans to contact their members of Congress and urge them to support H.R. 6, a bill that protects Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders.

Introduced by Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), the Dream and Promise Act combines the longstanding DREAM Act with the American Promise Act, which allow Dreamers and TPS holders respectively to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR). LPR would put members of both immigrant communities on a pathway to citizenship.

The bill, which also allows Dreamers to access financial aid and in-state tuition, already has 202 cosponsors, all Democrats. More information on the legislation can be found here.

“This act is an important step in combatting the divisive anti-immigrant rhetoric coming out of the White House and affirming our country’s long history of protecting immigrant communities,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “Lawmakers must now step up and protect these individuals who have contributed so much to America and yet still live in perpetual fear that the country they now call home may force them out.”

McCaw noted that the bill also allows individuals with Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status to apply for LPR.

Background on DACA

Dreamers are the more than 800,000 children who were brought to the United States by their parents. They have grown up here, attended school here, and call this country home. 46% of DACA recipients are currently in school, 70% of whom are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher. 87% are working and 6% have started their own businesses, a rate higher than that of both the American public as a whole—at 3.1%—and the entire immigrant population—at 3.6%. Many have served in the military and law enforcement.

However, in June of 2017, President Trump rescinded DACA, the Obama-era executive order allowing them to remain in the U.S. Several courts have put temporary holds on the termination of the program, but Congressional action is urgently needed to protect their futures.

Background on TPS

TPS is a protective status for foreign born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to the conditions and circumstances in their countries of origin. Currently, over 300,000 foreign nationals living in the United States possess TPS status, many of whom have lived here for more than a decade. The Department of Homeland Security currently designates ten countries for TPS: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Last year, the Department of Homeland Security said it would not extend TPS for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan, condemning some 310,000 TPS-holders to possible deportation. In February, DHS announced it would extend TPS for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, but Congressional action is urgently needed to codify this extension and protect TPS holders from other countries.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

Protect DREAMers and TPS Holders, Support the Dream and Promise Act

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/13/19) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all Americans to contact their members of Congress and urge them to support H.R. 6, a bill that protects Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders.

Introduced by Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), the Dream and Promise Act combines the longstanding DREAM Act with the American Promise Act, which allow Dreamers and TPS holders respectively to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR). LPR would put members of both immigrant communities on a pathway to citizenship.

The bill, which also allows Dreamers to access financial aid and in-state tuition, already has 202 cosponsors, all Democrats. More information on the legislation can be found here.

“This act is an important step in combatting the divisive anti-immigrant rhetoric coming out of the White House and affirming our country’s long history of protecting immigrant communities,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “Lawmakers must now step up and protect these individuals who have contributed so much to America and yet still live in perpetual fear that the country they now call home may force them out.”

McCaw noted that the bill also allows individuals with Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status to apply for LPR.

Background on DACA

Dreamers are the more than 800,000 children who were brought to the United States by their parents. They have grown up here, attended school here, and call this country home. 46% of DACA recipients are currently in school, 70% of whom are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher. 87% are working and 6% have started their own businesses, a rate higher than that of both the American public as a whole—at 3.1%—and the entire immigrant population—at 3.6%. Many have served in the military and law enforcement.

However, in June of 2017, President Trump rescinded DACA, the Obama-era executive order allowing them to remain in the U.S. Several courts have put temporary holds on the termination of the program, but Congressional action is urgently needed to protect their futures.

Background on TPS

TPS is a protective status for foreign born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to the conditions and circumstances in their countries of origin. Currently, over 300,000 foreign nationals living in the United States possess TPS status, many of whom have lived here for more than a decade. The Department of Homeland Security currently designates ten countries for TPS: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Last year, the Department of Homeland Security said it would not extend TPS for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan, condemning some 310,000 TPS-holders to possible deportation. In February, DHS announced it would extend TPS for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, but Congressional action is urgently needed to codify this extension and protect TPS holders from other countries.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

END

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com