A bill from Democratic lawmakers would provide a long-awaited path to citizenship for children protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The American Dream and Promise Act from Reps. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) provides citizenship opportunities to the nearly 500,000 people in the U.S. protected by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. It also provides citizenship pathways for people with Temporary Protected Status, and Deferred Enforced Departure recipients.

“Dreamers are an integral part of our communities, yet their futures remain uncertain because Congress has failed to deliver lasting protections. President Trump says he wants to protect Dreamers — now is his chance to prove it,” Costa said in a statement. “If he’s serious, he should come to the table, work with Democrats, and help pass this critical legislation. I’m ready to work with anyone committed to real solutions for Dreamers and those who have lived in the shadows for far too long.”

As the Republicans hold a 218-215 edge over the Democrats in the House, with two previously held GOP seats vacant, the bill’s backers would need support from across the aisle to move the DACA fix ahead.

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Permanent Residency While Dreamers Pursue Citizenship

The act gives a 10-year period of permanent resident status to DACA recipients. In that time, people can pursue citizenship. Those with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure get full lawful permanent resident status.

Permanent status allows recipients to petition to have some close family members come to the U.S., according to Alllaw.com.

The act limits citizenship eligibility to Dreamers who have gotten high school diplomas or equivalents and are pursuing higher education — whether it’s technical training or college. It also allows veterans with honorable discharges to obtain citizenship. It bars anyone with criminal backgrounds.

Applicants also must have been in the country continuously for at least three years, according to the bill text.

Congress Has Left DACA Recipients in Limbo

The 2012 Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act gave immigrants who came to the U.S. as children temporary protections. For the roughly 2.3 million people the law protected, it meant they could work, go to school, and qualify for student loans without fear of deportation.

However, court actions kept Dreamers in a kind of limbo. Recipients had to renew their DACA status every two years. They also could not return to the U.S. if they left.

A 2024 court decision ended the program while keeping protections for existing recipients. During President Donald Trump’s first term, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to end the program if Congress didn’t act.

The 2019 DREAM Act passed in the House of Representatives but did not get Senate approval.

Garcia introduced the American Dream and Promise Act in 2023, but the legislation did not make it out of committee.