Duncan Hunter was the only member of the San Diego Congressional delegation to oppose a bill Tuesday creating a path to citizenship for an estimated 2 million “Dreamers” and other immigrants.

The House of Representatives passed the Dream and Promise Act by a 237-187 margin largely along party lines. Seven Republicans crossed party lines to vote for the measure.

Cheers and chants of “Yes we can!” erupted in the House chamber when the number of votes reached the threshold necessary for passage.

The bill would protect as many as 50,000 immigrants in the San Diego area, though it’s unlikely to get to a vote in the Senate due to strong opposition from the Trump administration, which ended protection from deportation for immigrants brought to America as children.

“These immigrants are American in every way except on paper,” said Rep. Susan Davis, an original co-sponsor of the legislation. “Many of them have only known America as their home and make incredible contributions to our businesses and economy, technology and research, and our security and society. It’s time we lift the uncertainty of deportation hanging over them.”

In addition to Davis, Reps. Mike Levin, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas voted for the bill, parts of which immigration advocates have sought for decades.

The legislation would grant permanent residency with a path to citizenship for immigrants covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — the Dreamers — as well as those covered by Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure, programs for immigrants from countries that have undergone natural or man-made disasters.

“It has been 14 months since President Trump ended DACA without any legislative substitute over the cries of millions of Americans who know Dreamers as our friends, neighbors, and coworkers,” said Peters. “The president has also ripped protections from those who fled unspeakable violence and devastation in their home countries and found a safe haven in the U.S.”

While the bill is unlikely to move forward in the Senate, the margin of passage is an indication of what would happen if Democrats win the Senate in 2020.

>> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here