Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced that the House of Representatives would vote the week of June 18 on a broad immigration package and a more conservative proposal from House Judiciary Chair Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.). The announcement scuttles a discharge petition that garnered 216 of the 218 signatures necessary to force a House vote on a series of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) legislation, including the AAMC-endorsed DREAM Act [see Washington Highlights, Sept. 15, 2017].
Both bills address border security, diversity visas, family-based visas, and DACA – echoing President Trump’s “four pillars” of immigration reform. The draft Republican bill, “Border Security and Immigration Reform Act,” would provide DREAMers a pathway to citizenship after five years. Chairman Goodlatte’s “Securing American Future Act” (H.R. 4760), would grant a three-year renewable temporary legal status, but relies on existing pathways to citizenship.
The AAMC Feb. 15 criticized the Senate’s failure to pass DACA legislation and has advocated for a permanent pathway for undocumented medical students and eligibility for federal student aid [see Washington Highlights, Feb. 16].