Senate Bill continues on path to protect legal dreamers- with green card and work eligibility

A bi-partisan bill – ‘The America’s Children Act’ introduced in the Senate by Alex Padilla (Democratic party) and Rand Paul (Republican party) seeks to protect documented dreamers from aging out of their legal immigration status when they turn 21.

Documented (or legal) dreamers are those children who were brought to the US when they were kids. Their parents entered the US legally on non-immigrant visas such as H-1B.

When these children age out (turn 21), they can no longer continue with their H-4 dependent visas. This often results in families splitting up. Aged out children either have to opt for an international student visa (which has its limitations such as higher fees and restricted work opportunities) or self-deport to their home country, such as India.