(WASHINGTON)—Today, the American Dream and Promise Act (HR6) was passed by the House of Representatives as a result of years of leadership and tireless advocacy by immigrant youth and TPS holders seeking dignity for their families and communities. Unfortunately this bill disqualifies certain immigrant youth and TPS holders who have had contact with the criminal legal system or criminal convictions from eligibility for relief.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) supports legislative solutions that are broad and inclusive. Legislation premised on the notion that individuals subject to overpolicing, racial profiling or otherwise impacted by a criminal legal system infected by racism should be treated as disposable falls short of ILRC’s vision for immigrant justice. The ILRC, along with our partners directly impacted by the criminal and immigration systems, will continue to educate members of Congress on why it is important to seek bold solutions that reject relying on systems that disproportionately target Black and Brown immigrants.
“We believe strongly that eligibility for immigration relief should not be linked to an individual’s contact with the criminal legal system,” said ILRC Policy Director Sameera Hafiz. “The ILRC will continue advocating for the New Way Forward Act that would decriminalize immigration and address injustices and systemic racism in the U.S. immigration system. As the American Dream and Promise Act makes its way through Congress we urge the Biden Harris administration to act immediately to end its immigration enforcement activities, immigration detention and the deportation of our immigrant community members.”
For more information on DACA, go to our website link here.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities.