Some Immigrant Youth and TPS Holders Continue to be Excluded from Relief in American Dream and Promise Act

 (WASHINGTON)—While the reintroduction today of the American Dream and Promise Act provides some hope for relief for many of our community members under threat of losing their immigration status, its proposals unfortunately disqualify certain 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) believes strongly that eligibility for immigration relief should not be tied to contact with the criminal legal system,” said Policy Attorney and Strategist Nithya Nathan-Pineau. “We support legislative solutions that are inclusive of all, not legislation based on the belief that individuals who are often overpoliced and racially profiled should be left out. We will continue to educate members of Congress on why rejecting systems that disproportionately target Black and Brown immigrants is important in creating policies that include everyone.” 

The ILRC urges lawmakers to support the New Way Forward Act, a crucial piece of legislation that takes major policy steps toward removing racism entrenched in U.S. immigration laws. 

The New Way Forward Act legislation is a critical reimagining of our immigration system rooted in compassion, fairness, and humanity. The legislation takes key steps to separate U.S. immigration laws from the excesses and racist outcomes of the criminal legal system by repealing harsh and outdated 1996 immigration laws and disentangling local police from federal immigration.

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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.