An Update from the Maine Business Immigration Coalition: U.S. House of Representatives passes landmark immigration bills

On March 18, the U.S. House of Representatives gave bipartisan approval to two bills providing more than 4 million immigrants with a path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship.

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 would legalize eligible “Dreamers” and DACA holders, (immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors), and individuals who have had Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for years. Nine Republicans voted with all House Democrats to pass the bill, which would give more than 3 million members of our country’s communities and workforce stability and the promise of a permanent future in the U.S.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 would give legal status to more than one million eligible undocumented farmworkers. It also would simplify the H-2A agricultural worker visa process for farmers, increase worker protections for H-2A farm workers, and create new year-round visas for dairy workers. Thirty Republicans joined virtually all House Democrats in support of the bill.

Both bills will now move to the U.S. Senate, where they are expected to be a priority for advancement. Polls show overwhelming public support for legalizing Dreamers and DACA holders, and TPS and undocumented immigrants.

For more information, please visit www.mainebic.org. Please also visit www.mecompact.org to learn about the Maine Compact on Immigration, an important initiative urging Maine’s congressional delegation to lead on federal immigration reform. To date, nearly 100 Maine businesses, chambers of commerce, trade associations and higher education institutions have signed the Maine Compact.