Reps. Garcia and Escobar Push for DACA

Texas Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D) and Veronica Escobar (D) are continuing to push for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and The American Dream and Promise Act.

“Today I stood with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle by introducing The Bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act. I’m proud to lead this pivotal legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS, and DED holders. #Dreamers," said Rep. Sylvia Garcia.

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel removal and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis to certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who initially entered the United States as minors (younger than 18 years of age).

“The past 11 years of #DACA protections have provided safety and security for millions of Dreamers. This #DACADay, I’m continuing to fight for permanent protections, starting with the Dream and Promise Act, a bipartisan bill that provides a pathway to citizenship,” stated Rep. Veronica Escobar.

The bill’s summary also states that it must provide protection for an individual who is inadmissible, is deportable, or has temporary protected status; has been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding this bill's enactment; is not inadmissible on various grounds such as those related to crime or security; and has fulfilled specified educational requirements.

Moreover, DHS must also do so for an individual who was granted DACA status unless the individual has engaged in conduct that would make the individual ineligible for DACA.”

Furthermore, “DHS shall remove the conditional basis of the lawful permanent resident status granted under this bill if the individual meets various requirements, such as maintaining residence in the United States, and acquiring a degree from an institution of higher education or serving in the uniformed services.”

DHS may not disclose or use information provided in applications filed under this bill or in DACA requests for immigration enforcement purposes.

By repealing a previous restriction, the bill also makes sure that undocumented aliens are able to receive higher education.

In other news, Texas Representative Pete Sessions (R) questioned Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Michael Barr on what he perceived to be a lack of responsibility from the Federal Reserve.

“.@FinancialCmte warned about the effects of trillions in new spending and full-speed quantitative easing,” stated Rep. Sessions. 

The Texas lawmaker continued by criticizing “aggressive supervision” and the current administration’s actions.

“The correct answer isn’t aggressive bank supervision — this Admin and its sluggish financial regulators must take responsibility for their reckless policy and spending.”