2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Create A Fast-Track Residency Application
Process For Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals Program Recipients.
In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the American Dream and Promise Act
of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require DHS
to establish a streamlined residency application process for individuals
enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 228-197. The
Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 91,
3/18/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/18/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Providing Parole Status To Individuals
Who Entered The U.S. Before January 1, 2011, Which Would Allow Them To
Remain In The U.S. For A Five Year Period. In November 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the Build Back Better act which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "allow individuals who entered the
United States prior to Jan. 1, 2011, to receive a grant of parole
allowing them to remain temporarily in the country for a period of five
years, but no later than Sept. 30, 2021." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 220-213. [House Vote 385,
11/19/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/19/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5376]
The Build Back Better Act Would Grant Work Authorization For Up To
10 Years To Undocumented Immigrants Living In The U.S., Which Would
Be An Attempt To Comply With Senate Rules On Reconciliation.
According to The Hill, "The latest version of the House's $1.75
trillion social spending package includes immigration provisions
that would give up to 10 years of work authorization for
undocumented people living in the U.S. --- an effort to comply with
Senate rules that have killed two previous plans." [The Hill,
11/3/21]
The Build Back Better Act Would Grant Parole To Undocumented
Immigrants Living In The U.S. Prior To 2011, Which Would Allow Them
To Reside In The Country For A Five Year Period Until Late 2031, In
Lieu Of Providing A Pathway To Citizenship. According to The Hill,
"The Build Back Better package released by the House on Wednesday
does not provide a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11
million undocumented people already living in the U.S. It instead
relies on a process known as parole to waive immigration
requirements for five years for those who have been living in the
U.S. prior to 2011. Once approved, beneficiaries could apply for a
five-year extension, allowing them to stay in the country until the
end of 2031." [The Hill,
11/3/21]
The Senate Parliamentarian Previously Ruled Twice That Expansive
Immigration Provisions, Including Pathway To Citizenship, Violated
Budgetary Rules That Would Permit Passage Without A Republican
Filibuster. According to The Hill, "It's a bid to appeal to the
Senate parliamentarian, who twice has batted down more expansive
immigration proposals, arguing they did not meet the budgetary rules
that allow the measure to get around a GOP filibuster." [The Hill,
11/3/21]
The Build Back Better Act Would Include Visas Recapturing, Which
Would Preserve Approximately 222,000 Of Unused Family-Based Visas
And About 157,000 Employment-Based Visas Susceptible To Lapse
Otherwise. According to The Hill, "The bill does include visa
recapture, preserving some 222,000 unused family-based visas and
roughly 157,000 employment-based visas that would otherwise lapse."
[The Hill,
11/3/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide Legal Status To Undocumented
Immigrants Who Entered The U.S. As Children Or From Countries With
Temporary Protected Status Classification And To Protect Them From
Deportation. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the American Dream
and Promise Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "provide legal residency status for certain undocumented
immigrants who entered the United States as children or from nations
with Temporary Protected Status designation and would prohibit the
Homeland Security and Justice Departments from initiating or continuing
the removal of such individuals." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 228-197. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 91,
3/18/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/18/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6]
H.R. 6 Would Provide A Pathway To Citizenship For 2.5 Million
Undocumented Immigrants, Including Those Who Arrived As Children.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The measure (HR 6) would open
a gateway to citizenship for 2.5 million undocumented immigrants,
including those often referred to as Dreamers, according to the
bill's sponsors." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
Republicans Opposed The Measure Citing Concerns Over A Potential
Increase In Border Crossings. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "In the days leading up to its passage, House GOP leaders
encouraged members to vote against the measure. Many congressional
Republicans took to the floor to argue about the bill's impact on
the increasing numbers of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. They
said passing legislation that opens a path to citizenship for
undocumented workers would encourage more migration."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
Some Republicans Claimed The Bill Would Incentivize Illegal
Immigration And Encourage An Infinite Influx Of Foreigners Into The
U.S. According to Vox, "Some Republicans have already warned the
bill would 'return to the radical left-wing policies that will
incentivize illegal immigration and promote an unending flood of
foreign nationals into the United States.'" [Vox,
3/18/21]
The Bill Would Provide Applications For Ten-Year Conditional
Permanent Residency Status To Undocumented Immigrants That Entered
The Country As Children Before January 2021, Who Resided
Continuously In The U.S., And Graduated Or Are Enrolled In School,
And Exclude Those With A Criminal Record Or Gang History.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "Title I of the bill would
require DHS and DOJ to grant applications for ten-year conditional
permanent residency status to undocumented immigrants who entered
the U.S. at age 18 or younger prior to Jan. 1, 2021, have lived
continuously in the U.S. since that time, and have earned or are
enrolled in a program to earn a technical, high school, or
postsecondary degree. It would disqualify certain individuals from
receiving such a status based on factors including criminal record,
gang participation, or other threats to public safety."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
The Bill Would Grant Permanent Residency To Conditional Residents
If They Maintain Eligibility For Conditional Residency Status And
Meet Education, Military Service Or Employment Qualifications.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would require DHS to grant
permanent resident status to conditional residents if they maintain
eligibility for conditional residency and meet certain
qualifications related to postsecondary education, military service,
or employment." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
Undocumented Immigrants Brought Into The Country As Children Would
Undergo A Longer Process To Acquire Citizenship Compared To
Individuals Under Humanitarian Protections. According to Vox,
"DREAMers --- undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children
--- would face a longer path to eventual citizenship." [Vox,
3/18/21]
The Conditional Permanent Residency, Which Would Grant Work
Authorization, Would Last For A Decade Before The Individual May
Apply For Citizenship. According to Vox, "This 'conditional
status' designation would last for 10 years before they could apply
for citizenship, but they would be allowed to work in the meantime."
[Vox,
3/18/21]
DREAMers May Qualify For Permanent Residency If They Serve In The
Military For Two Years, Work For Three Years, Or Graduate From A
Higher Education Institution. According to Vox, "There would be
other ways for DREAMers to be able to apply for a green card at any
time, including serving in the military for two years, working for
three years, or getting a degree from a higher education institution
(or be at least two years through a bachelor's or technical
program)." [Vox,
3/18/21]
The Bill Would Establish A Grant Program For Non-Profits To Help
Those Eligible With Their Applications. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "require DHS to establish a grant program for nonprofit
organizations to assist eligible individuals in the application
process." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
The Bill Would Provide For Administrative And Judicial Review For
Individuals Whose Application May Be Denied Or Status Revoked.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "provide for judicial and
administrative review for individuals whose residency status is
denied or revoked." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
The Bill Barred The Department Of Homeland Security From Deporting
Individuals Who May Qualify For Residency Status Under The Bill.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit DHS from removing
individuals who appear eligible for residency status under the
bill's provisions before providing them an opportunity to apply for
residency." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
The Bill Provided Applications For Permanent Residency To
Immigrants Who Entered The U.S. From Nations Classified Under
Temporary Protected Status As Of January 1, 2017 Or Deferred
Enforced Departure As Of January 20, 2021. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "require DHS and DOJ to grant applications
for permanent residency status to foreign nationals from countries
designated for Temporary Protected Status as of Jan. 1, 2017, or
Deferred Enforced Departure as of Jan. 20, 2021, who have lived
continuously in the U.S. for at least three years and are not
ineligible for admission under current immigration law."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/18/21]
The Measure Expanded On The DREAM Act By Including Immigrants
Under Temporary Protected Status And Deferred Enforced Departure,
Which Grant Humanitarian Protections To Individuals From Countries
Suffering War, Natural Disasters And Other Extraordinary
Conditions. According to Vox, "The Dream and Promise Act is a more
expansive version of the mainstay Democratic immigration bill, the
DREAM Act. While that bill covered mostly DREAMers, it did not
address immigrants covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or
Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) --- types of humanitarian
protection that allow citizens of countries suffering from natural
disaster, armed conflict, or other extraordinary circumstances to
live and work in the US free of fear of deportation." [Vox,
3/18/21]
Individuals Covered Under The Temporary Protected Status And
Deferred Enforced Departure Would Face A Shorter Route To Gain Legal
Status Versus DREAMers. According to Vox, "Humanitarian protectees
would face a shorter route." [Vox,
3/18/21]
Humanitarian Protectees Would Be Able To Apply For Permanent
Residency If They Have Resided In The U.S. For More Than Three Years
And Were Eligible For Temporary Protected Status On September 17,
2017 Or Deferred Enforced Departure Status As Of January 20, 2021,
And Would Be Able To Apply For Citizenship After Five Years Of Being
Permanent Residents. According to Vox, "These protectees would be
allowed to apply for green cards immediately if they have resided in
the US for at least three years and were eligible for TPS on
September 17, 2017, or had deferred enforced departure status as of
January 20, 2021. After five years of holding a green card, they
would be able to apply for citizenship." [Vox,
3/18/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Immigration Reform To
Provide Legal Status To Undocumented Immigrants. In March 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, voted for the "Jordan, R-Ohio,
motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee." The vote
was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of
203-216. [House Vote 90,
3/18/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/18/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The American Dream And
Promise Act. In March 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the rule that would provide
for House floor consideration of a joint resolution removing the
deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment (H J Res
17), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (HR 1620), the
American Dream and Promise Act (HR 6) [...] The rule would provide for
up to one hour of debate on each of the five measures." The vote was on
the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of
216-204. [House Vote 79,
3/16/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/16/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The American Dream And
Promise Act. In March 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order the previous question
(thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res
233) that would provide for House floor consideration of a joint
resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal
rights amendment (H J Res 17), the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act (HR 1620), the American Dream and Promise Act (HR 6)
[...] The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on each of
the five measures." The vote was on a motion to order the previous
question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 212-200. [House
Vote 78, 3/16/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/16/21; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
6;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]