Recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and temporary protected status holders gathered in front of the JFK Building at Boston City Hall Plaza on Monday to advocate for new immigration legislation.

The rally was organized by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, or MIRA, in support of H.R. 6, which was introduced on Capitol Hill on March 12.

Also known as the Dream and Promise Act, the law would provide permanent protection and a path to citizenship for "Dreamers," those with temporary protected status, or TPS, and covered by deferred enforced departure, or DED. Massachusetts has over 12,000 TPS holders and about 5,900 active DACA beneficiaries, according to MIRA.

DACA recipients are commonly referred to as "Dreamers," based on never-passed proposals in Congress called the DREAM Act, which would have provided similar protections for young immigrants.

“The Dream and Promise Act is a breath of fresh air,” said MIRA Executive Director Eva A. Millona. “It sends a strong message to 'Dreamers' and TPS and DED holders: We know this is your home. We know how much you contribute to this nation -- and we stand behind you.”

Four Massachusetts Democrats -- Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Jim McGovern, Sen. Ed Markey and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh -- attended the 4 p.m. rally.

"We are going to fight for you," McGovern said. "For that, we are going to support legislation in Washington to give you a pathway to citizenship because to do anything less would betray our values."

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Original story here.