{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr1468-115/featured_recognizing-america-s-children-act-1515196696.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr1468-115/featured_large_recognizing-america-s-children-act-1515196696.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hr1468-115.png"},"introduced_on":"2017-03-09","title_override":"Should Unauthorized Immigrants Brought Here Illegally as Children Have a Path to Permanent Resident Status?","summary_override":"

This bill — known as the Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act — would protect young unauthorized immigrants (including the so-called “Dreamers) from deportation and provide them with a five year “conditional permanent resident status” if they meet eligibility standards and either enlist in the military, are gainfully employed, or pursue higher education. It would also provide them with a path to become a lawful permanent resident (green-card holder) if they continue to satisfy those criteria.

To qualify, applicants would have to establish that they: 1) came to the U.S. before age 16 and have lived in the country since at least January 1, 2012; 2) pass a government background check and demonstrate “good moral character” with no felony or multiple misdemeanor convictions; 3) earn a high school diploma or an equivalent; and 4) either demonstrate an intent to join the U.S. military, be admitted to an institution of higher education, or have a valid work authorization. Applicants would also have to register with the Selective Service System, undergo a medical exam, submit biometric and biographic data, and complete security and law enforcement background checks.

The conditional permanent resident status could be extended for a second five year period if the applicant has done one of the following:

Enlisted in the military or an active-duty reserve component for at least three of the preceding five years;
Graduated from an institution of higher education;
Been employed for at least 48 months during the preceding five-year period.

Once conditional permanent resident status is extended, recipients could apply to become a lawful permanent resident (green-card holder) if they continue to meet the requirements established by this bill. If a recipient fails to meet those conditions their conditional status would be revoked. Recipients enlisted in the military could apply for naturalization (citizenship) immediately after obtaining lawful permanent resident status.

","official_title":"To authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain aliens who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Recognizing America's Children Act","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Recognizing America's Children Act\n\nThis bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional nonimmigrant for an initial five-year period the status of, an alien who:\n\n was younger than 16 years old when he or she initially entered the United States and has been physically present in the United States since January 1, 2012; is a person of good moral character; is not inadmissible or deportable on specified grounds under the Immigration and Nationality Act; has not participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; has not been convicted of certain offenses under federal or state law; is 18 years or older and has earned a high school diploma, general education development certificate, or high school equivalency diploma in the United States, has been admitted to an institution of higher education, or has a valid work authorization; ...","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"People who would be eligible for conditional permanent resident status; and DHS.","argument_for":"Young unauthorized immigrants who were brought to America illegally as children through no fault of their own deserve the chance to permanently remain in the country they grew up in and contribute to its greatness. This ensures they won’t face deportation to a country they barely know.","argument_against":"While well-intended, this bill does nothing to stem the flow of illegal immigration, and as a result the federal government will have to address the problem of children being brought here illegally again at a later date. 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Should Unauthorized Immigrants Brought Here Illegally as Children Have a Path to Permanent Resident Status?