The US House of Representatives has approved two separate immigration bills, clearing an initial hurdle for two groups seeking a path toward citizenship: younger unauthorised immigrants called “Dreamers” and migrant farmworkers.
Both measures passed in the House along party lines, for the most part, with but will face greater opposition in the US Senate.
The US bishops were among those from various faith-based organisations, including Catholic groups such as the Franciscan Action Network and the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, voicing support for the bills: the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Modernization Workforce Act.
They are aimed at helping “many hardworking immigrants reach their God-given potential, not only for their benefit but for that of the entire country,” said the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and the bishops’ migration committee chair in a joint statement.
“Inspired by the life of Christ, the Catholic Church remains committed to ensuring that all persons within our society are given the opportunity to flourish, especially those so often relegated to the margins,” the prelates said, calling on the Senate to “pass these measures swiftly”.
Issuing the statement were Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, USCCB president, and Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration. Bishop Dorsonville had also written a letter to all House members urging passage of the bills.
“We once again call on legislators from both chambers of Congress to work together to enact broader, vitally needed reforms to address our broken immigration system,” the prelates said in their statement. “We pledge to work with Congress and the administration on this effort, which we believe is an urgent issue to uphold life and human dignity.”
While neither bill is expected to become law, they serve more as bellwethers of what the battle for immigration reform could look like under President Joe Biden.
Earlier in the year, the Biden administration rolled out a road map toward that goal under the name of the US Citizenship Act of 2021, introduced in Congress on 18th February. It seeks to legalise some 11 million unauthorised immigrants currently in the US, with a special focus on reunification of families.
It would offer immediate permanent resident status to some groups, such as young adults brought into the US illegally as children, farmworkers and those under a programme known as Temporary Protected Status, while also providing an eight-year path to citizenship for others.
The American Dream and Promise Act for unauthorised immigrants has enjoyed strong backing in the past as it seeks to provide young adults brought to the country illegally as children a path toward citizenship.
All House Democrats voted for it, and nine Republicans voted with them. It passed 228-197.
Currently, young people known as “Dreamers” are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.
The House measure would similarly benefit immigrants in the country under the TPS program, which grants a work permit and reprieve from deportation to certain people whose countries have experienced natural disasters, armed conflicts or exceptional situations so they can remain temporarily in the United States.
Seven Republicans broke ranks and voted for the bill in 2019 in the House, but the proposed legislation didn’t have the votes to pass in the Senate.
Early signs show a tough road ahead. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., urged Republicans against voting for the Dream Act, instead steering the conversation toward the border.
“The bill would only worsen the flow of illegal immigrants to the US,” Scalise said to colleagues in a statement.
The Farm Modernization Workforce Act passed 247-174; 30 Republicans voted for it and two Democrats opposed it. It would allow farmworkers to earn legal status and later they also can apply for permanent residency by showing prior employment and continued work in agriculture.
Picture: Demonstrators attend a rally near the US Capitol in Washington on 26th September 2017, calling for passage DREAM Act. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, which would provide a pathway to US citizenship for unauthorised immigrant youth, has never passed Congress. It was reintroduced in the Senate and House on 2nd February 2021, and 3rd March 2021, respectively. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn).
