The U.S. House of Representatives has passed two immigration bills to protect the rights of immigrants. Both Dreamer and farmworker immigration bills have been sent to the Senate for vote.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed an immigration bill that creates a pathway to citizenship for ‘Dreamers.’ On March 18, millions of undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children voted to approve the American Dream and Promise Act by 228-197. The bill would grant conditional permanent resident status for 10 years and cancel removal proceedings if people meet certain requirements:
• physically present in the U.S. on or before Jan. 1, 2021
• 18 years old or younger on the initial date of entry into the U.S.
• not convicted of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was first instituted during the Obama administration in 2012, and was part of President Bident’s 2020 campaign. DACA recipients are often called ‘Dreamers’ after the DREAM Act, the bill that to grant legal status to young immigrants residing in the U.S. unlawfully after being brought in by their parents. On January 20, 2021, the Biden administration ordered the Department of Homeland Security to preserve and fortify the DACA program.
Under the new bill Dreamers can become lawful permanent residents by either:
• earning a college degree
• serving 2 years in the military or
• being legally employed for at least 3 years
Although nine Republicans voted for the bill, it is expected to face more obstacles in the Senate. Republican House leaders urged other GOP lawmakers to vote against the bill.
An immigration bill creating a process for undocumented farmworkers to become Green Card holders passed the House on March 17. With 30 Republicans voting to pass the bill, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act had a bipartisan 247-174 vote.
Under the act,
• workers could earn temporary status as Certified Agricultural Workers if they have worked at least 180 days in agriculture over the past 2 years
• undocumented workers who have been working without documentation could qualify for a Green Card by paying a $1,000 fine
• spouses and children could also apply for temporary status under the act
If you have questions about your eligibility to remain in the United States, please contact our office. We can schedule an evaluation or attorney consultation to answer your immigration questions. Contact Godoy Law Office at 630-912-0322, our skilled immigration lawyers in Chicago, Lombard and Oak Brook can answer any questions about immigration and guide you through every step of the process.
Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties.
Se Habla Español
Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
