US House considers two path breaking immigration bills this week

Two important immigration bills are expected to be presented in the House of Representatives by the congressional democrats this week.

The first, the American Dream and Promise Act,proposes a pathway to citizenship to 11 million undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children — otherwise known as “DREAMers.” It would also include a pathway to citizenship for people granted Temporary Protected Status, along with those who were recipients of Deferred Enforced Departure as of Jan. 20, 2021.

The House will also take into account the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would create a system in which workers in the agricultural industry could earn temporary status with an eventual option to become a permanent resident. It also would amend the existing H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program, NPR reported.

Both bills have strong support from Democrats, and passed the lower chamber in 2019, the report said.

They represent a more targeted approach at passing immigration legislation than Biden’s comprehensive immigration proposal — the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 — which could face significant opposition among Republicans in the Senate.