Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill To Grant Pathway To Citizenship for Dreamers: 'They're American in Every Way but on Paper'

A mostly-Democratic coalition of lawmakers reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 on Wednesday, aiming to establish a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, commonly known as Dreamers. The bill would also provide permanent legal status for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

"For decades, they have contributed to and shaped the fabric of America. Yet, they are currently denied their place in the American story," said Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), a sponsors of the bill in a statement accompanying the bill's reintroduction. "Dreamers are American in every way but on paper."

Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), another of the bill's sponsors, echoed García's sentiments through a post on X:

The bill was introduced by Garcia and Jayapal, alongside Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL). The legislation has been cosponsored by 201 members of Congress and endorsed by nearly 120 organizations.

If passed, the bill would grant eligible Dreamers conditional permanent residence for ten years, cancel removal proceedings, and provide a pathway to full lawful permanent resident status. TPS and DED holders would also be eligible for permanent residency under the measure. Dreamers would also gain access to federal financial aid and could apply for relief even if residing outside the U.S.

The economic impact of the legislation would be substantial, as Spectrum News explains. According to the Center for American Progress, the national GDP could increase by $799 billion over the next decade if Dreamers were granted citizenship. DACA recipients alone contribute nearly $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in state and local taxes each year despite being ineligible for federal benefits such as Social Security and Medicare.

"Standing up for the opportunities and futures of Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and families is essential and a rare point of consensus on immigration among the American majority," said Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America's Voice, an immigrant advocacy organization, in a statement. Cardenas also emphasized that the legislation provides critical protections at a time when "the Trump Administration is seeking to enact an indiscriminate mass purge of immigrants."

While previous versions of the Dream and Promise Act have failed to pass in Congress, lawmakers behind the latest effort stress the current urgency of action. "Dreamers are an essential part of our communities," said Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA). "They're deeply embedded in the fabric of our communities. They deserve the opportunity to be Americans."