Capitol Correspondence - 05.28.19

House Advances 3 Immigration Bills, Creating Bandwidth for ANCOR DSP Visa Proposal

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ANCOR is sharing this article by The Hill so our members stay informed of the political climate in which ANCOR is circulating a proposal to create a short-term employment visa for frontline staff who assist people with intellectual / developmental disabilities (I/DD). These staff are known as Direct Support Professionals and the field is encountering a severe workforce crisis which is affecting the stability of supports. On June 11, ANCOR will be holding a Hill Day focused on our proposal.

As written by The Hill:

“Three major immigration bills cleared the House Judiciary Committee this week, flying under the radar amid increasing political discord in Washington.

The Dream Act and American Promise Act passed separately on Wednesday and the Venezuela TPS Act cleared the panel Thursday, in what amounted to the biggest legislative success for immigration activists in years.

The Dream Act would grant a path to citizenship to undocumented immigrants, commonly known as ‘Dreamers,’ who arrived in the United States as minors. The Promise Act would provide permanent immigration benefits to certain longtime holders of programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure.

Combined, the bills could grant permanent residency with a path to citizenship to nearly 2.1 million people.

[…]

With a Democratic majority in the House, the bills are expected to easily pass the chamber, but they are unlikely to move forward in the GOP-controlled Senate.

[…]

It’s unclear whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will allow a vote on House-passed immigration bills.”