Policy Update on DACA June 18, 2018 Ashley Feasley, USCCB/MRS Director of Policy Melissa Hastings, USCCB/MRS Policy Advisor June 18, 2018

Photo Credit: Yahoo News Agenda Welcome State of Play – Legislative Solution This Week in Congress The Two Proposals Goodlatte Bill Compromise Bill Impact on Family Separation What You Can Do Q&A Photo Credit: Yahoo News

State of Play – Legislative Solution Timeline of Key Events June 6th – Rep. Vela and Rep. Gonzalez sign the discharge petition June 12th – Rep. Cuellar signs the discharge petition 216 out of 218 signatures needed Last day to get votes to move discharge petition in June June 12th – Speaker Ryan announces that the House will consider two bills next week Goodlatte bill & Compromise bill June 14th – Text of Compromise bill is released June 15th – President Trump announces that he will not sign the Compromise bill if passed; Administration then walks back this claim.

Photo Credit: Brookings This Week in Congress Tuesday – the House will hold a meeting to discuss and whip on the bills. Thursday - then they will put the two bills, HR 4760 and the “Compromise” Bill on the floor for a vote. IF HR 4760 IS BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR, IT NEGATES THE DISCHARGE PETITION- KILLING IT. Photo Credit: Brookings

The Two Proposals Goodlatte “Securing America’s Future Act of 2018” Rep. Goodlatte H.R. 4760 Introduced January 10, 2018 Analysis: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/2016site/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DACA-comparison-chart.pdf Compromise “Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018” Speaker Ryan No Bill Number or introduction as of this morning Has a path to citizenship for DACA recipients; authorizes $25 billion for the Wall; changes asylum standards

Goodlatte’s Bill Only Protects a Small Subset of Dreamers Only covers qualifying DACA recipients with valid employment authorization documents as of the date of the bill’s enactment. Fails to Provide a Path to Citizenship. Only provides qualifying youth with temporary, albeit renewable, protection. Threatens Family Unity. Seeks to modify and narrow the existing family-based immigration system and reduce the overall number of visas allocated for family-based immigration. Undermines Protections for Children and Asylum Seekers. Creates a more stringent credible fear standard for asylum seekers. Drastically alters current protections provided for in the Trafficking Victims Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2008.

“Compromise” Bill Offers a Path to Citizenship for DACA Recipients Covers qualifying DACA eligible with contingent nonimmigrant visas; the renewal period is 6 years. Applicants will have to pay a processing fee and a $1000 Border Security Tax. Those who have contingent nonimmigrant visas would be allowed to renew their visa if they do not have the ability to adjust status. Threatens Family Unity. Seeks to modify and narrow the existing family-based immigration system and reduce the overall number of visas allocated for family-based immigration. Will cut Diversity Visa (55,000 visas), F-3—Married Children of US Citizens (23,400 visas); F-4-- Siblings of Adult US Citizens (65,000 visas) and will use them for DACA population and other small legal population. Undermines Protections for Children and Asylum Seekers. Creates a more stringent credible fear standard for asylum seekers. Drastically alters current protections provided for in the Trafficking Victims Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2008. Will lead to increases in child and family detention through the proposed changes to the Flores Settlement.

Impact on Family Separation Neither bill provides an acceptable solution to family separation. There is no law that requires family separation – this is a discretionary decision. The bills seek to make it easier to detain families. Current protections limit the ability and time in which accompanied children can be held in non-licensed facilities. Do not address more appropriate Alternatives to Detention. Family Case Management Program

What You Can Do Learn More. Sign up for Justice for Immigrants: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/join-us/ DACA Resources Page: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/daca-resource-page/ Read Our Materials on the “Compromise” Bill and H.R. 4760 Contact Your Lawmakers. Urge your Representative to reject the Goodlatte and “Compromise” bills and instead pass bipartisan legislation to protect Dreamers. Look Out for Our Action Alert That Will Be Live After Tuesday Voting.

Questions? Please type your questions in the Chat area of your webinar screen Send any follow-up questions to acube@usccb.org To view this and other webinars, visit the JFI Website: http://justiceforimmigrants.org/ .