Congresswoman Caraveo Unveils Bipartisan Immigration Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08) today announced a bipartisan immigration package that aims to address issues stemming from the influx of migrants to interior cities such as Denver and those in the Front Range and Northern Colorado. The bipartisan immigration package consists of five bills:
The Humanitarian Emergency Localized Partnerships (HELP) for Interior Cities Act
The Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking Offices in Interdicting (ANTI) Drugs Act
The Humane Accountability Act
The Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act
The American Dream and Promise Act
“I’m proud to unveil this bipartisan immigration package in response to the needs of Colorado communities in the wake of a recent increase in migrant arrivals,” said Congresswoman Caraveo. “This comprehensive plan would deliver funding to interior cities like Denver that are in need of support, reduce the financial burden placed on local governments, and stem the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. It would also deliver much-needed funding to law enforcement both at the border and here in Colorado.
“As we address the need to secure the border, we must also take steps toward reform by providing legal status or work authorization for some who are already here,” added Congresswoman Caraveo. “An important aspect of this package is that it would clear the backlog of asylum applications by reducing the waiting period for work authorization and creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status. As we look to solve the immigration challenges ahead, I remain committed to working in a bipartisan fashion to deliver solutions that work not only for border communities, but also for Colorado.”
Congresswoman Caraveo is introducing the Humanitarian Emergency Localized Partnerships (HELP) for Interior Cities Act, which will take the burden off local governments by allocating $1.4 billion — the same amount included in the bipartisan immigration bill — to FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP) grant program. The SSP is the primary program that localities have requested funding from to reimburse the cost of providing services to migrants. Congresswoman Caraveo said that her proposal will prioritize consideration for interior cities such as Denver, which have received minimal funding in comparison to border cities. She added that the bill stipulates that FEMA needs to prioritize at least 20% of the funding for healthcare reimbursements for hospitals and community health clinics, addressing one of the top costs to impacted cities.
The Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking Offices in Interdicting (ANTI) Drugs Act is a bipartisan bill Rep. Caraveo is leading that would increase funding for three programs that law enforcement rely on to keep communities safe: High Intensity Drug Task Areas (HIDTA), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and Operation Stonegarden. This bill is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, Western States Sheriffs’ Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the National Narcotic Officers Associations’ Coalition.
Rep. Caraveo also emphasized the need to ensure that migrants are treated humanely amid concerns about poor treatment of detainees at the Aurora ICE facility. She is the co-sponsor of H.R. 6282, the Humane Accountability Act, which aims to hold ICE detention centers accountable to protect detainees who experience injuries, sexual assault, or die in detention facilities, as well as ensure detainees have access to legal resources. This would be done through a report submitted by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Government Accountability Office would then issue recommendations based on that report.
Congresswoman Caraveo is also a cosponsor of HR. 1325, the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, another bipartisan bill included in the immigration package. Supported by the City of Thornton and the City of Northglenn, this legislation would reduce the current 180-day waiting period for work authorization eligibility to 30 days, allowing an asylum seeker to apply for authorization as soon as the asylum claim is filed. This legislation would also eliminate the cumbersome 2-year renewal schedule, allowing more migrants to enter the workforce and contribute to the economy.
The final piece of Rep. Caraveo’s bipartisan immigration package is H.R. 16, the American Dream and Promise Act, a bipartisan bill on which she is a cosponsor. This legislation would provide Dreamers the opportunity to apply for permanent legal status and eventually become eligible for U.S. citizenship. Additionally, this bill would cancel the removal of undocumented immigrants who have been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding the bill's enactment, were younger than 18 when they were first brought to the United States, and have no criminal record. Eligible undocumented immigrants must also be in school (or have graduated), or be serving in the military (or have received an honorable discharge). After maintaining lawful permanent resident status for five years, eligible Dreamers would then be able to apply to become U.S. citizens. The bill also contains protections for recipients of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure.