Tim Cook calls on Congress to pass the American Dream and Promise Act

Apple CEO and Business Roundtable Immigration Committee Chair Tim Cook on Thursday called on Congress to pass legislation allowing young people brought to the U.S. as children to apply for citizenship.

“As we work to reinvigorate the U.S. economy, we need their continued contributions as equal partners in the American story, and we urge Members on both sides of the aisle to vote in support of the American Dream and Promise Act to help make that possible,” Cook wrote in a statement.

Democratic lawmakers introduced the American Dream and Promise Act on March 3.

The bill would give undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. when they were young a chance to apply for citizenship. 

“Dreamers—who came to America as children and who know it as their only home—make invaluable contributions to America and certainly to companies like ours,” Cook said on behalf of The Business Roundtable. 

“Dreamers have been on the frontlines of fighting the pandemic as healthcare workers, of caring for our communities, and of working in the disciplines and industries that will help America emerge stronger on the other side of COVID-19,” he added.

The legislation would give 2.5 million undocumented immigrants the chance to apply for citizenship.

The bill passed the Democratic-led House during the previous Congress but stalled in the GOP led Senate.

President Biden has been facing scrutiny for his policies at the border after he reopened a facility to hold undocumented minors. 

“The vast majority of Americans believe that standing up for Dreamers should be a priority. Once the American Dream and Promise Act moves forward, the Business Roundtable urges policymakers to prioritize bipartisan and practical solutions to fix our broken immigration system, enforce the rule of law and respond to the pressing challenges we face,” Cook said.