Immigrants Rising Endorses American Dream and Promise Act, Citing Economic and Moral Imperatives
Legislation Seeks to Unlock $799 Billion Economic Potential by Granting Citizenship to DACA Recipients and TPS Holders
For Immediate Release
Contact: Beleza Chan at [email protected]
Washington, D.C. (February 26, 2025) — Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) reintroduced the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, alongside co-authors Representatives Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), and co-leads Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03). As an organization that believes everyone deserves to reach their full potential, pursue an education, advance their career, and achieve economic mobility with confidence and without constraint, Immigrants Rising proudly endorses the American Dream and Promise Act. This visionary bill aims to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people who moved to the United States as children, as well as recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) beneficiaries.
“The Dream and Promise Act is a moral imperative and an economic necessity. Moreover, this bill is a powerful assertion of our shared humanity. With more than 5 million DACA recipients, DACA-eligible youth, TPS recipients, and DED recipients contributing billions of dollars to our economy, the Dream and Promise Act is an investment in our nation’s future and a commitment to prosperity for all. The numbers aside, this is about upholding the dignity and respect of those who have made the U.S. their home for decades: the students, entrepreneurs, and workers who already make our communities more vibrant. We call on Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act, not just for the economy, but for every family to have a fair and stable future,” said Iliana Perez, Executive Director of Immigrants Rising.
Millions of people in the U.S. are undocumented and face significant academic, economic, professional, and social barriers. These barriers are further exacerbated by the Trump administration’s mass detention and deportation policy agenda, which will harm the economy and tear families apart. By spreading fear and division, these policies intend to strip legal protections from thousands, detain and deport long-standing, hardworking community members, and disrupt those who are socially and economically invested in the United States. The Dream and Promise Act stands to protect our communities, prevent family separation, and ensure economic opportunity for all through access to the benefits of citizenship.
Moreover, the Dream and Promise Act makes economic sense. Individuals and children with DACA and TPS recipients make substantial economic contributions each year. DACA recipients alone pay approximately $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in state and local taxes annually. The Center for American Progress estimates that the national GDP could grow by $799 billion over the next decade if undocumented immigrants eligible for the Dream and Promise Act are granted a pathway to citizenship. Economic models indicate that this pathway would not only increase wages for all U.S. workers but also create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. In 2022, DACA recipients collectively earned nearly $27.9 billion and contributed nearly $2.1 billion to Social Security and Medicare, despite being ineligible for these benefits under current law.
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Founded in 2006, Immigrants Rising transforms individuals and fuels broader changes. With resources and support, undocumented young people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community. Our collective power is helping our nation edge closer to fulfilling its ideal as a land of opportunity and access for all.
