Judiciary Committee, Education and Workforce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 is comprehensive legislation designed to provide a pathway to permanent legal status for two significant groups of immigrants residing in the United States. This bill aims to offer stability and integration for long-term residents who have established lives in the country, addressing both individuals who arrived as children and those who have lived under humanitarian protections for many years. Title I, known as the Dream Act of 2025 , authorizes conditional permanent resident status for eligible "Dreamers." To qualify, individuals must demonstrate continuous physical presence in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, and have entered the country when they were 18 years of age or younger, maintaining continuous residence since their entry. Applicants must also meet specific educational criteria, such as obtaining a high school diploma or GED, enrolling in higher education, or pursuing vocational training. This initial conditional status is granted for a period of 10 years. To remove the conditional basis and achieve full lawful permanent resident status, Dreamers must fulfill additional requirements. These include earning a higher education degree, completing two years of higher education, serving honorably in the Uniformed Services for at least two years, or demonstrating three years of earned income. The bill includes hardship exceptions for those unable to meet these criteria due to disability, caregiving responsibilities, or other significant challenges, and allows for waivers of certain inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian reasons, family unity, or public interest. Title II, the American Promise Act of 2025 , provides a pathway to permanent residency for certain individuals who have held or were eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Eligible applicants must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least three years and apply within three years of the bill's enactment. This includes nationals of countries designated for TPS on January 1, 2017, or individuals eligible for DED as of January 20, 2021, who have not engaged in disqualifying conduct. The bill includes several general provisions to support applicants, such as requiring biometric and biographic data for background checks and exempting certain applicants from fees, including minors, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities. It protects eligible individuals from removal proceedings while their applications are pending and grants them eligibility for advance parole and employment authorization. Importantly, the legislation ensures that information provided in applications remains confidential and cannot be used for immigration enforcement, with limited exceptions for national security or felony investigations. The Act establishes administrative and judicial review processes for application denials and revocations, ensuring due process for applicants. It explicitly states that no numerical limitations will apply to the number of individuals who can receive permanent resident status under its provisions. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a grant program to assist eligible applicants with legal aid, civics education, and application preparation, funded in part by a supplementary surcharge on application fees to provide appointed counsel for judicial review.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H884)
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H884)
Immigration
American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-1589| House
| Updated: 2/27/2025
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 is comprehensive legislation designed to provide a pathway to permanent legal status for two significant groups of immigrants residing in the United States. This bill aims to offer stability and integration for long-term residents who have established lives in the country, addressing both individuals who arrived as children and those who have lived under humanitarian protections for many years. Title I, known as the Dream Act of 2025 , authorizes conditional permanent resident status for eligible "Dreamers." To qualify, individuals must demonstrate continuous physical presence in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, and have entered the country when they were 18 years of age or younger, maintaining continuous residence since their entry. Applicants must also meet specific educational criteria, such as obtaining a high school diploma or GED, enrolling in higher education, or pursuing vocational training. This initial conditional status is granted for a period of 10 years. To remove the conditional basis and achieve full lawful permanent resident status, Dreamers must fulfill additional requirements. These include earning a higher education degree, completing two years of higher education, serving honorably in the Uniformed Services for at least two years, or demonstrating three years of earned income. The bill includes hardship exceptions for those unable to meet these criteria due to disability, caregiving responsibilities, or other significant challenges, and allows for waivers of certain inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian reasons, family unity, or public interest. Title II, the American Promise Act of 2025 , provides a pathway to permanent residency for certain individuals who have held or were eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Eligible applicants must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least three years and apply within three years of the bill's enactment. This includes nationals of countries designated for TPS on January 1, 2017, or individuals eligible for DED as of January 20, 2021, who have not engaged in disqualifying conduct. The bill includes several general provisions to support applicants, such as requiring biometric and biographic data for background checks and exempting certain applicants from fees, including minors, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities. It protects eligible individuals from removal proceedings while their applications are pending and grants them eligibility for advance parole and employment authorization. Importantly, the legislation ensures that information provided in applications remains confidential and cannot be used for immigration enforcement, with limited exceptions for national security or felony investigations. The Act establishes administrative and judicial review processes for application denials and revocations, ensuring due process for applicants. It explicitly states that no numerical limitations will apply to the number of individuals who can receive permanent resident status under its provisions. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a grant program to assist eligible applicants with legal aid, civics education, and application preparation, funded in part by a supplementary surcharge on application fees to provide appointed counsel for judicial review.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H884)
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H884)