Share
Supporters of the American Dream and Promise Act in the visitor galleries roared “Yes We Can” as House Democrats muscled through legislation bestowing a chance for citizenship on an estimated 2 million-plus migrants.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a “No You Can’t” the next day.
Combined with President Donald Trump’s veto threat, it appears the “Dreamers” will have to wait for protection from deportation and a pathway toward citizenship.
Another House Measure Likely to Run Aground in Senate
“The Dreamers have a sympathetic case. There are circumstances under which I and others would be happy to support that. But we need to do more than that,” McConnell said on Fox News Radio. “You know there’s some genuine fixes on the legal immigration side and on the illegal immigration side that need to be addressed. … And that’s the context in which I would deal with that issue in the Senate.”
Thus, the act is likely fated to join a host of other House-passed measures advancing Democrats’ agenda that are running aground in the GOP-run Senate, including legislation on health care, gun control, climate change, and election security.
That moment when #HR6, the #DreamAndPromiseAct passed the House🎉🎉🎉#DreamAndPromiseNOW #ProtectTheDream #SiSePuede pic.twitter.com/xQX2VpiOrl
— Hispanic Caucus (@HispanicCaucus) June 4, 2019
Valley Democrats Jim Costa and TJ Cox represent districts with large numbers of immigrants currently safeguarded by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Only the federal courts have thwarted Trump from ending DACA.
“Dreamers want what every American wants: a better life for themselves and their families,” said Costa, whose district has 14,000 Dreamers. “Brought here by their parents at an early age, America is the only home they’ve ever known. I voted for the American Dream and Promise Act because it’s time we end the uncertainty surrounding their fate.”
Estimated 2 Million Would Get Legal Status
In Cox’s 21st District, there are an estimated 7,400 DACA recipients, and nearly 12,000 people are eligible to apply. The economic loss from deporting DACA workers in the 21st would exceed more than $400 million annually, his office said.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare voted against the bill. Their districts also include large numbers of Dreamers.
The legislation would also shield others here temporarily because their home countries — chiefly in Central America, Africa, and the Middle East — have been ravaged by wars or natural disasters.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated more than 2 million people already in the U.S. would get legal status under the House bill. The analysts also said the measure would cost more than $30 billion over the next decade, largely because many migrants attaining legal status would qualify for federal benefits like Medicaid.
Democrats said that besides humanitarian considerations, helping the migrants stay in the U.S. would benefit the economy and the many industries that employ them as workers. Among the bill’s supporters are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO labor organization, immigration, and liberal groups.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
RELATED TOPICS:
Fresno Elderly Woman Evicted, Forced to Leave Dogs Behind. One Still Needs a Home.
2 hours ago
Virginia Giuffre, Voice in Epstein Sex Trafficking Scandal, Dies at 41
12 hours ago
Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not
16 hours ago
Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft
16 hours ago
Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day
16 hours ago
Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up
18 hours ago
Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion
18 hours ago
Trump Is a Revolutionary. Will He Succeed or Fail?
14 minutes ago
Categories

Trump Is a Revolutionary. Will He Succeed or Fail?

We Need Proof of Life for the Makeup Artist Trump Sent to El Salvador

Fresno Elderly Woman Evicted, Forced to Leave Dogs Behind. One Still Needs a Home.

Virginia Giuffre, Voice in Epstein Sex Trafficking Scandal, Dies at 41

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

Wired Wednesday: What’s the Future of Fresno Unified and the Superintendent Position?

Zakaria Draws Parallels Between Trump’s Tariffs, Failed 1930s Economic Policies
