WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced her co-sponsorship of the American Dream Employment Act, which would change the law to make Dreamers – immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and lack documentation – eligible candidates for jobs on Capitol Hill. Currently, eligibility for employment in the federal government, including the House and Senate, is restricted by a provision that is included yearly in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill.
“Our nation’s Dreamers are some of the hardest working young people in our country. They serve in the military, study at our universities, and contribute to our economy on a daily basis by paying taxes and some even starting businesses that create jobs in their communities,” said Senator Rosen. “This legislation would change a little-known provision that has essentially barred Dreamers from being able to work on Capitol Hill. If our Dreamers can honorably defend our freedoms by serving in our military, then they should be able to work in Congress too.”
BACKGROUND: This legislation was introduced by Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and is supported by over a dozen other Democrats in the Senate. Earlier this year, Rosen co-sponsored the Protect Dreamer Confidentiality Act of 2019 (S. 197), which would safeguard the private information — such as addresses and telephone numbers — of DACA applicants to ensure that they are not targeted for deportation. In the House, Rosen was an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan United and Securing America (USA) Act and the bipartisan Dream Act, both of which would provide a path to permanent legal residency and eventual citizenship for Dreamers. Nevada is home to an estimated 13,000 DACA recipients.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is still accepting renewal applications. Right now, DACA recipients who are eligible to apply for renewal can submit their DACA applications, and are encouraged to do so immediately. USCIS recommends 90 to 120 days to process renewal applications. Applicants are encouraged to visit USCIS’ website here to apply. Senator Rosen encourages those who are having issues with paperwork to contact her Nevada offices for assistance.
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