EBSC urges Congress to act quickly to pass legislation to ensure a path to permanent residency for holders of TPS, DACA, and DED.

It is of utmost urgency to protect law-abiding and hardworking individuals who have lived lawfully in the U.S. for more than two decades and prevent hundreds of thousands of American families from being tragically ripped apart from our communities.

As such, the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant wholeheartedly stands behind the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, the SECURE Act, and the Dream Act of 2019. EBSC urges all lawmakers to support these bills and help to make them into law.

What bills were proposed in Congress?

The Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6). Introduced March 12 by Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard, Nydia Velázquez, and Yvette Clarke. This is the most comprehensive bill; it provides protection and a path to permanent residency to qualified Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED individuals.

SECURE Act (S. 2144) Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency). Introduced March 26, 2019 by Senators Ben Cardin, Dianne Feinstein, Tim Kaine, and Chris Van Hollen. It offers qualified holders of TPS the chance to apply for permanent residency.

Dream Act of 2019 (S.874).  Introduced March 26, 2019 by Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durban. Bipartisan bill provides Dreamers with protection from deportation and an opportunity to obtain legal status if they meet certain requirements.

What are TPS, DACA and DED?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian legal designation granted to immigrants in the U.S. who cannot return to their home countries due to violence, natural disasters, or epidemics. Since the early 1990s, TPS has allowed holders to live and work in the U.S. legally. Many TPS holders have been in the U.S. for decades, working and paying taxes; they are raising over 273,000 U.S. citizen children.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration option for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16. DACA has provided temporary protection from deportation, work authorization, and the ability to apply for a social security number.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) allows certain individuals from designated countries and regions facing political or civic conflict or natural disaster to stay in the U.S.

EBSC supports all three legislative acts currently under discussion in Congress that offer qualified holders of TPS, DACA, and/or DED status a chance to apply for permanent residency.

TAKE ACTION (click here)

#DreamTPS

#PermanentResidencyNow

#KeepFamiliesTogether