Controversy in Congress regarding immigration

There is growing controversy within Congress over the immigration sector and President Biden’s immigration bill, who plans to promote the first comprehensive immigration reform in decades (since the 80s).

The current debate is not only about immigration proposals that are under congressional review, but also about a substantial increase in the number of undocumented immigrants apprehended at the US borders, which threatens the Biden administration’s immigration plan.

Currently, Congress must decide on multiple immigration projects other than Biden’s bill. This is because several members of the US House of Representatives have also introduced or reintroduced different immigration proposals. By this, we are referring to Democratic members who support Biden’s immigration bill and propose expanding alternatives available to the most vulnerable immigrant communities and Republican members who propose to intercept and disrupt Biden’s immigration plan.

Let’s look at the top immigration proposals, aside from Biden’s immigration bill, that are currently under congressional review:

1. DREAM Act

Before explaining what this proposal is about, it is important to clarify that the term “Dreamers” refers to young immigrants who were brought to the US as minors, who do not have legal documentation and could be subject to deportation.

On February 4, 2021, two bipartisan senators reintroduced the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Immigrant Minors Act), which would initially offer temporary residence to “Dreamers”. If they meet eligibility requirements, this Act would also allow them to apply for permanent legal residence in the future and eventually American citizenship.

This Act was first introduced in 2001 and has been rejected multiple times by Congress. However, senators who reintroduced it hope that Congress will review it again under the Biden administration.

2. The American Dream and Promise Act

On March 3, 2021, three Democratic members reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act, which would offer 10-year conditional permanent residence for Dreamers, suspend deportation orders for TPS (Temporary Protected Status) or DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) beneficiaries and would allow them to apply for lawful permanent residence.

It is important to clarify that both TPS and DED are deportation relief programs, which are granted by DHS (Department of Homeland Security) or the US President respectively to nationals of certain countries that are going through risky situations such as armed conflict, natural disasters, epidemics, inter alia.

3. Protect America First Act

On March 12, a Republican member introduced the Protect America First Act, which proposes, among many other things, to pause immigration during Joe Biden’s term, expedite deportation processes, resume the construction of Trump’s border wall, end certain deportation relief programs, inter alia.

4. Farm Workforce Modernization Act

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act was initially introduced in 2019 and aims to protect undocumented farmworkers. This Act proposes to initially offer them the opportunity to apply for CAW (Certified Agricultural Worker) status and, so long as they meet eligibility requirements, they could become LPRs (Lawful Permanent Residents).

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