On Thursday, the House approved two significant bills that provide a path to citizenship for millions of people living in the United States.
The American Dream and Promise Act, which passed with a 228-197 vote, grants lawful permanent residency for millions of Dreamers if they pass background checks and meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, some people with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure may be eligible. Green card holders would eventually be eligible for citizenship.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed with a 247-174 vote, provides undocumented agricultural workers with temporary legal status if they pass the required background checks. The temporary legal status is indefinitely renewable with continued agricultural employment. The bill also provides a pathway for lawful permanent residency for veteran farmworkers.
Within the FWMA bill are changes to the H-2A visa for employers related to wage requirements and for employees related to visa eligibility. Under the bill, E-Verify would be required for agricultural jobs.
The majority of House Republicans did not support either bill, comparing both to offering amnesty. It is unlikely the bills will pass in the Senate, where at least 10 Republican senators are needed to move the bills past a filibuster.