WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today during debate on the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R.6), legislation that protects Dreamers from deportation and offers them a path to citizenship.

A video of Cicilline’s remarks can be viewed by clicking the image below. A transcript is embedded at the end of this email.

David N. Cicilline
American Dream and Promise Act
March 18, 2021
Remarks As Delivered

Mr. Speaker, Dreamers are American citizens in every sense of the word. For most, America is the only home that have ever known.

Despite what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle argue, Dreamers are not a drain on the economy.

Dreamers contribute to our economy by adding an estimated $42 billion to the GDP every year…That’s six times more than the cost of DACA.

They participate in our workforce, own small businesses, create jobs, pay taxes, and spend billions of dollars every year on goods and services, and most importantly, they enrich our lives and our valued members of our communities.

And when the pandemic hit, over 62,000 Dreamers stepped up and provided lifesaving healthcare to all of us. 

Now it is our turn to look out for neighbors, our co-workers, and friends.

They have earned the right to call America home.

H.R. 6 provides a path to citizenship for Dreamers, as well as Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure recipients.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes.

There's nothing more American than the Dream Act.

I yield back.