Rep. Deutch Co-Introduces Bill to Protect Immigrant Youth

American Hope Act will protect DACA recipients and DREAMers from deportation

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) joined with Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL-4) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to introduce the "American Hope Act of 2017," a bill to provide a permanent legislative solution to the immigrant status of more than 800,000 young people enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).

"The foundation of the relationship between DREAMers and the U.S. government has been built on trust. These children placed their trust in us when they came forward to register under DACA. They, and their families, are vital parts of our communities. They do not deserve to have their trust betrayed and the roots that they have grown here to be pulled out from under them," said Congressman Deutch. "The President's callous treatment of immigrant youth demands a strong response from Congress. I'm proud to stand up for DACA and all of the DREAMers in South Florida by cosponsoring the American Hope Act."

The American Hope Act would:

• Allow DACA beneficiaries and other immigrant youth to apply for conditional permanent resident status;
• Allow those granted CPR status to obtain full lawful permanent resident status after 3 years if they have no arrest record;
• Provide a 5-year path to U.S. citizenship;
• Allow minors to apply for conditional permanent resident status through a legal guardian or counsel; and
• Improve college affordability for undocumented youth and other immigrants by repealing rules that limit their access to in-state tuition and college loans.

Deutch supported passage of the DREAM Act in the House of Representatives in December 2010.