The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a critical piece of legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients, DACA-eligible individuals, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, among other immigrants with temporary status.

The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, with a vote of 228-197. This is reflective of the nearly 80% of Americans across the political spectrum who support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Passage of this legislation was supported by nine Republican members of Congress, including Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Rep. David Valadao of California, Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan, Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Rep. Christopher H. Smith of New Jersey and Florida Reps. Carlos Gimenez, Mario Diaz-Balart and Maria Elvira Salazar.

Statements from Republican House Members in Support of the Dream and Promise Act

Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) expressed gratitude for Dreamers and how they support our country, saying, “I am proud to protect our Dreamers. My Congressional District is home to more than 7,000 DACA recipients. These young people go to work, attend school, pay taxes, and are actively involved in our communities. We must ensure that people who were brought here as children through no fault their own, and call the United States home, are welcome here.” [Press Release]

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) declared that the H.R. 6 bill is “a step forward in hope that we can work together to make improvements.” “My vote is a signal that I am willing to work with my colleagues across the aisle and in both chambers – just as I have always done – to provide a permanent solution for DACA recipients in Central Washington and across the country. Congress cannot keep kicking this can down the road, and until we have a comprehensive solution signed into law, these young people – who were brought to this country at no fault of their own – will continue to suffer.” [Press Release]

Rep. Fred Upton (R-FL) spoke on his support of this bill as a first step towards his goal of fixing the broken immigration system. “America has long been the land of opportunity for millions of immigrants who have enriched our communities and contributed to our economy. But, for far too long, Congress has failed to offer a real solution to fix our clearly broken system,” he said. “It’s past time that we work together on a bipartisan framework that enforces our laws, supports our agricultural community and farm laborers, and lives up to the American dream.” [Press Release]

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) explained that she wanted to “send the right message” about her willingness to work with Democrats on immigration reform by supporting the bill. [Roll Call]

After Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL) voted in support for H.R. 6, he claimed that “these protections are long overdue” and that he hopes the Senate provides opportunity for input and Republican feedback to eventually “get a bill to President Biden’s desk that will give DREAMers the protections they need once and for all.” [Press Release]