Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, on Tuesday announced his support for the DREAM Act, becoming the 200th House member to endorse the legislation, The Hill reported.

"The president, rightfully so, reversed or rescinded President [Barack] Obama's executive order, because he didn't think it was constitutional and I agree with that. But the underlying issue I think still deserves to be dealt with," said Barton, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus.

The bill, first proposed by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., would protect people brought to the U.S. illegally as children from deportation. The dreamers would also receive work permits and be granted permanent legal status.

President Donald Trump's cancellation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program earlier this month gave supporters of the DREAM Act an increased sense of urgency. Trump asked Congress to act quickly to resolve the issue, a major reason Barton is supporting the bill.

"The president asked Congress to act within six months so I felt it was appropriate to get on a bill or two, that's what I did," he said.