How the Dream and Promise Act Would Help Legal Dreamers 

On March 3, 2021, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6) was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill would offer a pathway to citizenship not only to the undocumented, but also to thousands of children of parents who came to the U.S. with certain types of temporary working visas, many of whom “aged-out” before they could get green cards.

In the past, only persons who were inadmissible or deportable, or those with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure, could benefit under the Dream Act. Children who came lawfully to the U.S. with a parent or parents with working visas were not qualified even though their parents followed all the rules and waited in line for years to get green cards.

Thousands of these children have turned 21 years of age while waiting  for their priority dates to become current. Some changed their status to F-1 student. Others dropped out of legal status while waiting in line or have left the country.

The Dream and Promise Act would create a pathway to citizenship for these persons. Included would be sons and daughters of H-1B professionals, L-1 executives, managers and those with specialized knowledge, E-1 treaty traders and E-2 treaty investors.

Unfortunately, the Dream and Promise Act does not create a path to citizenship for children of parents with other types of temporary working visas, but the bill could be amended in order to do so.

Children of parents with the temporary work visas listed above can qualify for a path to citizenship under the Dream and Promise Act if they meet the following requirements:

Disclaimer: This newsletter is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. All information contained in this newsletter is generalized. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.