Episode 7
Exploring the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
The focal point of our discussion today is the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, a legislative initiative aimed at establishing a pathway to citizenship for various groups, including dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). This act is not merely a renewal of previous proposals; it garners bipartisan support, reflecting a significant effort to address the complexities surrounding immigration and the contributions of these individuals to American society. Throughout our dialogue, we will delve into the implications of this legislation, examining the profound impact it could have on the lives of those who have become integral members of their communities. We also highlight the moral and economic arguments underpinning the necessity for such a measure, emphasizing the extensive contributions made by these populations. As we navigate through the specifics of the act, it becomes evident that understanding its ramifications is crucial for advocacy attorneys working in this vital area of law.
The discourse surrounding the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 elucidates a profound legislative initiative aimed at offering a pathway to citizenship for three pivotal groups: the Dreamers—individuals who arrived in the United States as children—those holding Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and recipients of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The presenters emphasize that this act is not merely a legislative formality; it represents a concerted effort to rectify the legal status of individuals who have significantly contributed to American society yet remain in a precarious position due to their undocumented status. This discussion is underscored by a robust bipartisan backing, signifying a rare convergence of interests in a typically divisive arena. At the heart of this legislative endeavor lies the recognition of the deep-rooted connections these individuals have fostered within their communities, coupled with compelling economic arguments that highlight their contributions to the U.S. economy.
Engaging with the statistics presented, the podcast elaborates on the economic ramifications that could ensue should this act be enacted. The Dreamers alone contribute an estimated $6.2 billion in federal taxes annually, alongside an additional $3.3 billion in state and local taxes. Such figures not only underscore their economic viability but also present a compelling case for the potential economic uplift that a pathway to citizenship could engender, with projections suggesting an increase in GDP of nearly $800 billion over the next decade. This perspective invites listeners to reconsider the narrative surrounding immigration, framing it not solely as a legal issue but as a matter of economic and social justice that could yield dividends for the entire nation.
Moreover, the podcast delves into the human element of this legislation, articulating the fears and anxieties that loom over the lives of Dreamers and TPS beneficiaries. The presenters poignantly highlight the psychological toll of uncertainty faced by individuals who, despite their long-standing commitment to their communities, find themselves at risk of deportation. By weaving personal narratives with statistical evidence, the discussion reinforces the moral imperative to support the American Dream and Promise Act, urging advocacy attorneys and listeners alike to engage actively in the legislative discourse surrounding this transformative act. The episode ultimately serves as a call to action, urging stakeholders to advocate for a just resolution that recognizes the intrinsic value of these individuals to the social fabric of the United States.
Takeaways:
- The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 seeks to create a pathway to citizenship for individuals who have long been integrated into American society.
- This legislation is particularly significant for dreamers, TPS holders, and DED beneficiaries who have established lives and contributed to the economy over many years.
- Bipartisan support for this act reflects a growing recognition of the importance of these communities in the fabric of the United States.
- The economic implications of granting citizenship include potential increases in GDP and contributions to public welfare through taxes.
- The act also addresses the needs of individuals who have left the US under various circumstances, providing them with a chance for legal status.
- Understanding the nuances of the American Dream and Promise Act is essential for advocacy attorneys to effectively support their clients and communities.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- American Dream and Promise Act
- Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia
- Pramila Jayapal
- Maria Elvira Salazar
- Center for American Progress
- DACA
Transcript
Welcome back to the Justice Pro podcast.
Speaker A:We've got some really fascinating stuff to cover today.
Speaker B:Yeah, looking forward to it.
Speaker A: ican Dream and Promise act of: Speaker A:It really, you know, when you think about it, it's about people, right?
Speaker A:It's about the dreamers, the folks with PPS DD beneficiaries.
Speaker A:It's about people who built lives here so much to their communities, to our economy.
Speaker A:I think that's what makes this deep dive so important, to really untack what this legislation is all about, what it means for these individuals and why it's sparking so much discussion, particularly for those of you in the Justice Pro network who work directly with these communities every day.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:You've provided us with the press release announcing the reintroduction of this act.
Speaker B:And I think our goal today is to dig a little deeper, you know, go beyond just the headlines and try to understand the key provisions, the real rationale behind bringing this bill back into the spotlight and what the potential impact could be on, frankly, a pretty sizable population here in the US for advocacy attorneys listening.
Speaker B:This is definitely something to pay close attention to for sure.
Speaker A:So let's jump right in.
Speaker A: ican Dream and promise act of: Speaker A:What's the goal here?
Speaker B:Okay, so first it's important to remember that this isn't a brand new idea.
Speaker B:It's actually a reintroduced bill and it's got bipartisan support, which is pretty significant these days.
Speaker B:At its core, the act is aiming to create a pathway to citizenship for three main groups.
Speaker B:You've got individuals who came to the US as children, the dreamers, as they're often called.
Speaker B:Then you have people who are recipients of Temporary Protected Status, or tps, and then those who are under deferred enforced departure.
Speaker A:D E D you mentioned the bipartisan support in the press release actually names some of the key players.
Speaker A:Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
Speaker B:Yeah, definitely.
Speaker B:So the press release specifically points to Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat from Texas, and Pramila Jayapal, another Democrat from Washington State, as really spearheading this effort.
Speaker B:But what's interesting is you've also got Republican Representative Maria Elvira Salazar from Florida as a co lead on this.
Speaker B:And that right there tells you there's a real effort to find some common ground on what's typically been a really divisive issue.
Speaker B:You have to wonder if there's some shared economic interests at play here, or maybe a recognition that these communities are so deeply woven into the fabric of the US that, you know, finding a solution just makes sense.
Speaker A:It's interesting.
Speaker A:And it's not just a few lawmakers here and there.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:The press release actually lists quite a few people and organizations that are backing this bill.
Speaker B:The numbers are pretty striking to have 201 co sponsors in Congress already, and that's Democrats and Republicans.
Speaker B:It shows you that there's pretty broad support for this within the legislature.
Speaker B:And then You've got almost 120 organizations, and they're from all different sectors endorsing this act.
Speaker B:It tells you that there's a pretty widespread sense that this kind of legislation is needed.
Speaker A:So let's talk specifically about dreamers for a minute.
Speaker A:We know that these are individuals who've lived in the US for, in many cases, most of their lives.
Speaker A:The press release really highlights how integrated they are into American society.
Speaker B:Yeah, that's a key point.
Speaker B:It's not just about how long they've been here, but the extent to which they've really become part of the American landscape.
Speaker B:The data shows that the average DACA recipient arrived in the US when they were about six years old, and they've been living here for about 20 years now.
Speaker B:Think about that.
Speaker B:That's basically their entire childhood, their young adulthood spent in this country.
Speaker A:And it's not just about time.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:They're not just here.
Speaker A:They're really active participants in their communities.
Speaker B:Exactly.
Speaker B:I mean, they've gone through our schools, they've earned degrees from American universities.
Speaker B:They've built careers in all kinds of different industries.
Speaker B:Many of them have started families and their children are US Citizens.
Speaker B:They're contributing in countless ways.
Speaker A:You know, the press release lays out some pretty compelling economic arguments, too, focusing on the contributions of dreamers.
Speaker A:Can you break some of that down for us?
Speaker B:Sure.
Speaker B:What really stands out is just how much dreamers are already contributing to the economy.
Speaker B:We're talking about an estimated $6.2 billion in federal taxes annually and another $3.3 billion to state and local taxes.
Speaker B:Those aren't small numbers.
Speaker A:And it sounds like the potential for economic growth if we provide a pathway to citizenship is even more significant based on what we're seeing here.
Speaker B:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker B:The center for American Progress has projected that if dreamers were granted a path to citizenship, we could potentially see an increase in GD almost $800 billion over the next 10 years.
Speaker B:Now, that's huge.
Speaker A:It really drives home the point that this isn't just about doing what's right, but it actually makes economic sense for everyone.
Speaker B:Right, Exactly.
Speaker B:Economic models are suggesting that a pathway to citizenship wouldn't just benefit the dreamers, but it could actually lead to higher wages for all US Workers and we could potentially see hundreds of thousands of new jobs created across a bunch of different sectors.
Speaker B:It's kind of a win win situation economically.
Speaker A:So we've got this picture of individuals who are deeply rooted in the US who are contributing in very real ways.
Speaker A:But then you have Congresswoman Jayapal's statement about the fear of DACA being overturned.
Speaker A:Seems like there's still a lot of uncertainty hanging over their heads.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:And that really gets at the human cost of all this.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:The fear, the anxiety, not knowing what the future holds, even though they're working, paying taxes, raising families.
Speaker B:I think for advocacy attorneys, you see this firsthand, the toll it takes on individuals and families, despite everything they're doing.
Speaker A:To contribute right now.
Speaker A:It's important to remember that the American Dream and Promise act isn't just about dreamers.
Speaker A:It also addresses the needs of individuals with TPS and ded.
Speaker B:You're absolutely right.
Speaker B:This bill wants to create a pathway to citizenship for people under temporary protected status and deferred and forced departure as well.
Speaker B:These are folks who've been allowed to stay in the US because it's not safe for them to return to their home countries.
Speaker B:Maybe there's an ongoing armed conflict, a natural disaster, something like that.
Speaker A:And just like dreamers, many of these individuals have been here for a long time and have built lives here.
Speaker B:Definitely.
Speaker B:The press release points out that TPS and DED beneficiaries have often been living and working in the US for decades.
Speaker B:They've put down roots, they've got families, they contribute to the economy.
Speaker B:So this bill recognizes that and tries to create a path forward for them as well.
Speaker A:So how would the American Dream and Promise act actually provide a pathway to citizenship?
Speaker A:What are the specific steps involved?
Speaker B:Well, the act has a different process for each group.
Speaker B:For Dreamers, it proposes a 10 year period of conditional permanent residence.
Speaker B:So during that time they'd be protected from deportation.
Speaker B:Any removal proceedings that are already happening would be stopped.
Speaker B:And then after they meet certain requirements, they would be able to adjust their status to full lawful permanent resident or LPR status.
Speaker B:And that's a big step toward becoming a US Citizen.
Speaker A:So what about those who have TPS or DED status?
Speaker A:How does the bill address their path to legal status?
Speaker B:For floods with TPS or ded, the bill suggests a more direct route to LPR status, probably because many of them have already been in the US for such a long time under these temporary protections.
Speaker B:The idea is to make the process more straightforward, acknowledging that they've already put down roots and are contributing members of society.
Speaker A:Okay, so that makes sense.
Speaker A:The press release also mentions some additional provisions that are part of the act, along with some important protection.
Speaker B:Yeah, there are a few things to highlight here.
Speaker B:First, the bill would offer some safeguards for both dreamers and those with TPS or DD during the application process.
Speaker B:That's crucial.
Speaker B:It means they're not going to be put at greater risk while they're trying to get legal status.
Speaker B:There's also a provision that would give eligible dreamers access to federal financial aid for college.
Speaker B:That could be huge.
Speaker B:You know, it could open up so many doors for them in terms of education and career opportunities, which ultimately benefits the whole country.
Speaker A:I noticed there's a part of the act that deals with individuals who may have left the US either voluntarily or because they were deported.
Speaker A:Can you talk a bit about that?
Speaker B:Yeah, that's a really important point.
Speaker B:The act includes a provision that would allow certain dreamers who are currently outside the US to apply for relief under this new law.
Speaker B:That's really significant for folks who might have been deported or felt like they had no choice but to leave because of their legal status.
Speaker A:And finally, there's a section that touches on in state tuition for undocumented students.
Speaker A:Can you explain how that fits in?
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:This part of the bill basically protects states that have already passed laws offering in state tuition rates to undocumented students based on where they live.
Speaker B:So it prevents the federal government from coming in and penalizing these states.
Speaker B:It's about supporting the education of these young people.
Speaker A:So we've talked a lot about the specifics of the act, but the press release also makes a pretty powerful moral and societal case for this kind of legislation.
Speaker A:And we hear from a lot of dissent lawmakers who express their support.
Speaker A:What are some of the key arguments they're making?
Speaker B:Well, it's interesting how they frame the issue.
Speaker B:Congressman Garcia's statement that dreamers are American in every way but on paper is really at the heart of it.
Speaker B:These are folks who are part of our society.
Speaker B:They contribute, they belong, but they don't have the legal recognition to show.
Speaker B:That's a pretty strong argument for fairness and justice.
Speaker A:I agree.
Speaker A:And then you have Congresswoman Jayapal's statement.
Speaker A:She says dreamers are Americans and dreamers are home.
Speaker A:It's so powerful and so human.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:It's about acknowledging that these are people who feel a deep connection to the U.S.
Speaker B:despite their legal status.
Speaker B:And Congresswoman Velazquez reminds us that DACA was always meant to be a temporary solution.
Speaker B:There's still so much uncertainty for these individuals.
Speaker A:And it's not just Democrats who are speaking out.
Speaker A:Republican Congressman Salazar talks about the need to give dreamers the dignity they were promised many years ago.
Speaker A:It really frames this as a moral obligation.
Speaker B:I think that's a really important point.
Speaker A:Point.
Speaker B:And then you have Congressman Correa, who calls dreamers our nurses, police officers, and soldiers.
Speaker B:You know, the people we rely on every day.
Speaker B:They are deeply embedded in the fabric of our communities.
Speaker B:I mean, it really paints a picture of just how integrated they are.
Speaker A:So there's definitely a moral argument here.
Speaker A:But the press release also emphasizes the bipartisan support for this act and makes a direct call to action.
Speaker A:Can you elaborate on that a bit?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:The fact that there's support from both sides of the aisle is huge.
Speaker B:It shows that there's a genuine interest in finding a solution that works for everyone.
Speaker B:And then calling on President Trump to back the bill, that's a pretty bold move.
Speaker B:But, you know, he's spoken out in the past about wanting to protect dreamers, and the public has consistently shown they support this kind of legislation.
Speaker B:It seems like there's a real opportunity to make some progress here.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:So if you're an advocacy attorney listening to this, what are the key takeaways from our deep dive into the American Dream and Promise Act?
Speaker B:The main takeaway is that this is a serious bipartisan effort to create a pathway to citizenship for folks who have been living and working in the US For a long time.
Speaker B:That includes the dreamers, people with TPS and DED beneficiaries.
Speaker B:We've seen that they contribute significantly to the economy.
Speaker B:They're deeply rooted in their communities, and there's a strong moral and economic argument for giving them a chance to become citizens.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker A:As advocacy attorneys, your work is so vital.
Speaker A:You're on the front lines fighting for justice for the rights of these communities.
Speaker A:Understanding the details of legislation like the American Dream and Promise act and the very real impact it could have on people's lives is essential to what you do.
Speaker B:Definitely.
Speaker B:You're providing legal guidance, raising awareness, advocating for policy changes that are fair, and just.
Speaker B:Staying informed about what's happening with legislation like this is key to helping your clients and pushing for real, systemic change.
Speaker A:So our message to all of you out there is this, keep fighting the good fight.
Speaker A:Stay informed.
Speaker A:Stay engaged in the discussions that are happening around this legislation and be a voice for the individuals and families who are counting on you as this bill moves forward.
Speaker A:Think about what it means for the future, not just for those directly impacted, but for our society as a whole.
Speaker A:What kind of country do we want to be?
Speaker A:How do we uphold the principles of justice that we believe in?
Speaker A:These are the questions we all need to be asking.
Speaker B:Couldn't agree more.
Speaker A:That's all the time we have for today.
Speaker A:Thanks for joining us on the Justice Pro podcast and we'll see you next time.
Speaker A:RA.
