Previously, H.R. 6 had only allowed someone who was “inadmissible or deportable” to qualify unless they were in Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a temporary status mostly for immigrants without any other legal status. But the new American Dream and Promise Act greatly reduces this unfair discrimination against
legal residents. The new language will allow anyone who “is the son or daughter of an alien admitted as a nonimmigrant” under the E-1, E-2, H-1B, and L-1 temporary work visa programs.
The H-1B program is for skilled employees of U.S. businesses working in specialty occupations. They must have college degrees. Their children are eligible to come with them and grow up in the United States in H-4 dependent status. Their employers can sponsor them for green cards. On their 21st birthday, however, they lose H-4 status and their place in the green card line and the have to self-deport or find another status such as a student visa.