Rep. Chu Joins Bipartisan Group to Introduce Bill to Protect Dreamers from Deportation

Washington, D.C. – This week, Reps. Mike Coffman (CO-06) and Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) introduced legislation to protect undocumented young people brought over to the United States as children should the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program be discontinued under the next Administration. The House version is the companion bill to one introduced by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). The Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, which was first introduced in the Senate late last year, would provide temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to undocumented youth. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), an original cosponsor of the BRIDGE Act, released the following statement:

"I'm proud to help introduce the BRIDGE Act, which will give temporary protection to Dreamers, those who were brought to the U.S. as children, grew up here, went to school here, and laid down roots here, but have had to live their lives under the constant threat of deportation. Even the President-elect himself has said that something has to be done to help Dreamers, and I agree, because their fear should not overshadow their contributions. And that is what this bill will do. Young immigrants that are already here and contributing deserve the chance to see and prove that hard work can make a difference."

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) are original cosponsors of the Senate version of the BRIDGE Act. U.S. Representatives Jeff Denham (R-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Carlos L. Curbelo (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Judy Chu (D-CA) are original cosponsors of the House version of the BRIDGE Act.

The BRIDGE Act has broad support from the faith, business, higher-education, civil rights, and immigrant communities. This week, 88 business leaders from around the country sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump and House and Senate leadership asking them to support the BRIDGE Act.

The text of the BRIDGE Act can be found here.