10.02.17

Durbin Calls On Trump Administration To Extend DACA Deadline

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend the October 5th Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal deadline and encouraged eligible DACA recipients to file their renewal applications as soon as possible to make the deadline. Under the arbitrary deadline set by the Trump Administration, current DACA recipients whose status expires between Sept. 5, 2017, and March 5, 2018 must apply to renew their DACA status by Thursday to receive another two-year permit. An estimated 150,000 Dreamers around the country are eligible to renew their DACA by this Thursday.

“Four weeks ago today, the Trump Administration announced that it is repealing the DACA program, and now the deportation clock is ticking on hundreds of thousands of young people who know no other country,” Durbin said. “Organizations like Erie Neighborhood House are doing their best to assist Dreamers with the renewal process, but they have been strained to their limits by this arbitrary deadline.  We will continue to press DHS to extend this deadline. But in the meantime, I strongly urge any Dreamers who are eligible to renew to do so by this Thursday.”

Last week, Durbin and 37 other Democratic Senators sent a letter to DHS asking for an extension of the October 5th deadline, noting that tens of thousands of current DACA holders are likely to miss the deadline due to lack of information or resources.  Many DACA recipients may still be unaware of the deadline and many have not saved for the unexpected $495 expense. The letter also noted that tens of thousands of DACA recipients live in areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria that are still struggling to recover.

Since it was established five years ago, approximately 800,000 immigrant students have come forward and received DACA, allowing them to contribute more fully to their country as teachers, nurses, engineers, and small business owners. 

In July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship.