Durbin Statement on the Fourth Anniversary of the Implementation of DACA
CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement marking the fourth anniversary of the implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which grants temporary reprieve from deportation to certain young undocumented immigrants.
“Four years ago today, I was honored to address thousands of DREAMers who lined up to attend a DACA application workshop at Navy Pier in Chicago. The enthusiasm and determination of these young people was a sign of things to come. We’ve since witnessed DREAMers graduate college, start businesses, and give back to their communities in myriad ways. I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished.
“DREAMers still have so much more to contribute to our country. That’s why we cannot allow Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric to become the basis for our nation’s immigration policy. As I join DREAMers in celebrating this important day, I recommit myself to continue defending DACA from Republican attacks and fighting to pass comprehensive immigration reform once and for all.”
In April 2010, Senator Durbin was the first member of Congress to call for the establishment of DACA. Durbin has shared the stories of more than 75 DREAMers on the Senate floor since he introduced the original DREAM Act fifteen years ago. He was a member of the “Gang of 8” Republicans and Democrats that authored comprehensive immigration legislation that passed the Senate in 2013.