Bipartisan Push in Congress aims to Protect ‘Dreamers’ Facing Age-Out of Green Card Status
WASHINGTON – A rare bipartisan coalition in Congress has come together to introduce the “America’s Children Act,” legislation designed to prevent children of long-term U.S. residents from aging out of their legal status while waiting for green cards.The bill, spearheaded by Democratic sens. Alex Padilla and Dick Durbin, has garnered support from a growing number of Republican lawmakers, signaling a potential path forward for immigration reform in a deeply divided Washington.
The legislation addresses a critical issue affecting thousands of young people, often referred to as “Dreamers,” who were brought to the U.S. as children by parents with pending green card applications. Due to lengthy processing times and bureaucratic delays, these individuals risk losing their legal status upon turning 21, potentially facing deportation despite having grown up in the United States. The America’s Children Act seeks to automatically extend the age of eligibility for these children, allowing them to continue pursuing their education and careers while their parents’ applications are processed.
“They shouldn’t be penalized by the government’s failures in addressing green card backlogs,” said Sen. John Paul (R-Utah) in a statement. “The America’s Children Act provides targeted relief for these children of merit-based immigrants who are at risk of ‘aging out’ of their lawful immigration status, and I’m pleased to join Sen. Padilla in introducing this bill.”
Beyond Paul, the bill has attracted Republican support from Rep. Don Bacon (Nebraska), Reps. Brian fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), and John rutherford (Florida), as well as Sens. John Curtis (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Susan Collins (Maine). The bipartisan backing underscores the growing concern over the impact of green card backlogs on families and the future of young people who consider the U.S. their home.
The bill’s introduction comes as the immigration system continues to grapple with important delays, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing administrative challenges. advocates say the America’s Children Act represents a pragmatic step towards providing stability and opportunity for a vulnerable population while addressing systemic issues within the legal immigration process.
