Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson voted to pass H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, and H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, two landmark pieces of legislation to modernize and reform our immigration system and secure permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been, and will continue to be, key to the economic recovery of our nation. The American Dream and Promise Act provides relief to our nation's Dreamers, as well as to many Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act provides stability, predictability and fairness to the workers who feed America.

"In Florida and across the country, our immigrant communities make America more American," said Rep. Wilson. "My district is home to one of the nation's largest Haitian communities. Rather than hide in the shadows, they went through a lengthy process to receive permission to live and work legally in the United States. Many are students, while others have chosen to serve in the military to help keep our nation safe. They are also health-care workers, who have made enormous contributions and sacrifices to care for and protect our community during the coronavirus pandemic. In Florida, Dreamers represent tens of thousands of workers who have a major positive impact on the state's economy. I have for years arduously fought to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in my state and across the nation and am delighted that the American Dream and Promise Act will provide them the opportunity to apply for citizenship."

The American Dream and Promise Act – establishes a path to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status for Dreamers and for certain individuals who either held or were eligible for TPS or DED. The majority of these individuals have been in the United States for much of their lives, often with work authorization and temporary protections against deportation. Five years after attaining full LPR status, individuals are then eligible to apply for citizenship, a path that is supported by nearly 75 percent of the American public. H.R. 6 promotes justice and fairness for our nation's Dreamers, and for the TPS and DED holders who fled ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary conditions to come to this country and who have been contributing to our economy and our communities for years and are employed at high rates in industries that often struggle to find sufficient U.S. workers.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act – stabilizes the agricultural sector and preserves our rural heritage by ensuring that farmers can meet their labor needs by establishing a program for agricultural workers, their spouses and minor children can earn legal Certified Agricultural Worker (CAW) status through continued agricultural employment. H.R. 1603 also reforms the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. And to ensure a legal workforce for the agriculture sector, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act establishes a mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system to ensure compliance with the reformed H-2A visa program while also protecting workers' due process rights.

"Today, Congress took critical action to honor the dignity and humanity of all those who come to our country to build a brighter future for themselves and their families, in the process, reinvigorating our communities and our democracy," continued Congresswoman Wilson. "Now, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Biden-Harris Administration to build on this momentum with additional action to make our immigration system more fair, orderly and humane and our nation safer, stronger and more prosperous. Democrats will never stop fighting to uphold our nation's proud heritage as a beacon of hope and opportunity for all."