Reps. Ross, Bera Introduce the SERVICE for America Act to Provide Pathway to Permanent Residency for Dreamers + Documented Dreamers in Public Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) introduced the SERVICE for America Act, which creates a pathway to lawful permanent residency for Dreamers and Documented Dreamers who work in public service. For many Dreamers and Documented Dreamers, the United States is the only home they have ever known. They went to school here, built careers here, and contribute to our communities, but despite putting down roots, they continue to face uncertainty about whether they will be able to remain in the country they call home. The SERVICE for America Act would give eligible Dreamers and Documented Dreamers who work in public service a pathway to lawful permanent residency. Qualifying public service includes careers in healthcare, education, public safety, military service, social work, early childhood education, government, and nonprofits. It would also expand opportunities for eligible young immigrants to serve through AmeriCorps. “Those who dedicate themselves to serving our communities and the country they call home deserve the opportunity to build their futures here,” said Representative Ross. “Our country needs more social workers, teachers, servicemembers, and caretakers. Dreamers and Documented Dreamers are stepping up to fill these roles. It’s past time to fix our broken immigration system and give these young people a pathway to lawful permanent residency. I’m proud to introduce legislation to ensure Dreamers and Documented Dreamers can remain in this country and continue using their talents to make our communities stronger.” “Dreamers and Documented Dreamers are already giving back to our country as teachers, healthcare workers, servicemembers, and public servants,” said Representative Bera. “They are stepping up, serving their communities, and doing their part to make our country stronger. The SERVICE for America Act creates an earned pathway to permanent residency and gives these young people the certainty and peace of mind they deserve as they continue to build their futures in America.” “We appreciate the introduction of the Service for America Act, which will allow many long term immigrants who grew up here and are fully contributing to our country, to receive a sense of permanency. Many children of long term visa holders who grew up here lawfully, but age out of their pending green card applications due to backlogs, would be afforded a pathway to stay and contribute in the only country they’ve called home,” said Dip Patel, Founder of Improve The Dream. The full text of the SERVICE for America Act can be found HERE. ###