A Rare Bipartisan Bill to Help Migrants
Democrats and Republicans team up to protect “Documented Dreamers” — kids of visa holders who grew up in the U.S. but face deportation at 21.
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers today reintroduced the America’s CHILDREN Act of 2025, legislation that would provide permanent protections for so-called “Documented Dreamers” — the children of long-term employment visa holders who risk self-deportation when they turn 21.
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Reps. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), María Salazar (R-Fla.), Ami Bera (D-Calif.), and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) unveiled the House version, while Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) led the Senate companion bill. The measure already has more than a dozen bipartisan cosponsors in both chambers and backing from advocacy groups ranging from Improve the Dream to the National Immigration Forum.
The legislation would give lawful permanent residency to young people who entered the U.S. as dependents of nonimmigrant workers, have lived in the country for at least 10 years, and graduated from an American college. It also locks in children’s ages when parents apply for green cards, prevents them from aging out of dependent status at 21, and grants work authorization while their cases are pending.
“Documented Dreamers are members of our communities — they study at our schools, learn alongside our children, and attend our houses of worship,” Ross said, warning that without congressional action, more than 250,000 young people could face deportation.
Padilla called the bill “a long overdue change” that corrects a flaw in the immigration system: “This is about righting a wrong that’s a byproduct of red tape.” Paul, often a critic of immigration reforms, said the proposal is “targeted relief” for families caught in green card backlogs.
The proposal marks at least the third time Ross and Padilla have introduced the bill since 2021, but supporters argue momentum is growing. A wide coalition — from libertarian-leaning groups like Americans for Prosperity to immigrant advocates like Improve the Dream — has endorsed the measure.
Dip Patel, founder of Improve the Dream, said the bill addresses a gap most Americans assume doesn’t exist: “Fixing this loophole ensures America reaps the benefits of the contributions from the children it raised and educated.”
The reintroduction comes as immigration battles dominate Washington. Just last month, Congress clashed over whether to limit data-sharing with ICE, while debates rage over mass deportations and the use of AI to unmask immigration agents. Supporters of the America’s CHILDREN Act hope its bipartisan pedigree can set it apart.
The full bill text, filed by Ross earlier this week, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend green card eligibility, age-out protections, and priority date retention to these young immigrants.
The measure now heads to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Whether it advances in a Congress riven by immigration fights remains to be seen.
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Why has it taken so long
A rarity that gives a chance for a show of humanity? Courage?Character?
All sorely lacking but greatly needed. 🙏