Visa Lawyer Blog
Flickr: mollyktadams
House Democrats are making a move to help Dreamers achieve permanent residence. A new bill dubbed HR 6, the Dream and Promise Act, seeks to provide undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, the opportunity to obtain permanent residence. In addition, the bill includes a proposal that would allow certain types of immigrants fleeing war or natural disasters the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
The Dream and Promise Act would cancel the removal (also known as “deportation”) of and grant conditional permanent resident (CPR) status to a person who is inadmissible or deportable from the U.S. if the person:
- has been continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least four years before the date of the bill’s enactment;
- entered the U.S. before turning 18;
- (a) has been admitted to a college, university or other higher educational institution; or (b) has earned a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent post-secondary education credential; or (c) is enrolled in a secondary school or education program that assists students in obtaining a high school diploma, GED or similar state-authorized exam, certificate or credential from a career or technical school providing education at the secondary level,or in obtaining a recognized post-secondary credential;
- provides biometric and biographic data, with alternative procedures available for those with physical impairments;
- passes a background check;
- registered for military selective service if required to;
- pays a fee no greater than $495, though fee exemptions may apply;