Durbin Statement On Path Forward For Bipartisan Immigration Bill
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) agreed to a path forward for the Dream Act and bipartisan immigration measures, and the Senate voted to advance a funding bill to re-open the federal government:
“We have gathered the largest bipartisan group of Senators to ever commit to moving forward on the Dream Act and immigration. We have a process. I believe that that sets the stage for us to work together. For the first time in five years, we will have a debate on the floor of the Senate on the Dream Act and immigration,” said Durbin. “To all the Dreamers who are watching today: don’t give up. I know that your lives are hanging in the balance on what we do here on Capitol Hill and with the White House. Three weeks from now, I hope to be joining you in celebrating the passage, with you and your families and your communities, of a measure which will strengthen America and give you an opportunity to be part of our future.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
It has been more than four months since the Trump Administration terminated the DACA program and called for Congress to come up with a legislative solution. Beginning on March 5, 2018, 1,000 young people will lose their DACA protection each day, and the Trump Administration itself has acknowledged that it will take six months to implement legislation.
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. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.