Durbin Joins In Introduction Of Bipartisan Bill Protecting Documented Dreamers

Durbin Joins In Introduction Of Bipartisan Bill Protecting Documented Dreamers

The America's CHILDREN Act protect 250,000+ documented Dreamers from deportation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) and U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (D-NC-02) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01) to reintroduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for long-term residents who were brought legally to the United States as children as dependents on their parents' work visas.

The America's CHILDREN Act would allow 250,000+ documented Dreamers living in the United States to stay and contribute to the country and protect them from deportation or other hardships they unfairly face as a direct result of our outdated immigration system.

"Dreamers are some of the hardest working people I've met-and as American as all of us. Their patriotism and dedication to our country inspires me, fuels our economy, and makes our nation stronger. Documented Dreamers are young people brought to the United States lawfully, but they face the risk of losing their status due to backlogs in our outdated immigration system. As the Trump Administration makes legal immigration all but impossible, this bill would help them stay in the only home they have ever known. It's a bipartisan step and part of the immigration reform that the American people are demanding," said Durbin.

"These Documented Dreamers are Americans in every way except one: their parent's green card is tied up in red tape. This long overdue change is about more than just immigration reform - it's about righting a wrong that's a byproduct of our outdated immigration system. Our bipartisan bill would prevent these hardworking young members of our communities and economy from 'aging out' of their parents' visa status when they turn 21, and create additional green card opportunities for Documented Dreamers. I appreciate the partnership of my colleagues across the aisle and urge others to stand up and do the right thing for these young Americans," said Padilla.

"These children who have legally called the United States home for many years and even decades, are contributing members in our communities and to our economy. They shouldn't be penalized by the government's failures in addressing green card backlogs. The America's Children Act provides targeted relief for these children of merit-based immigrants who are at risk of 'aging out' of their lawful immigration status, and I'm pleased to join Sen. Padilla in introducing this bill," said Paul.

"Documented Dreamers are members of our communities -- they study at our schools, learn alongside our children, and attend our houses of worship in North Carolina and nationwide. Despite these deep ties, many of them are at risk of deportation from the country they love and call home. It's time to finally fix our broken immigration system and give these inspiring young people a chance to pursue their dreams and give back to their communities. I'm proud to join my colleagues in both chambers to introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure Documented Dreamers can remain in this country and use their talents and skills to make America stronger," said Ross.

"We are deeply grateful to the bipartisan leaders reintroducing America's Children Act. Fixing this loophole puts in place a policy most Americans assume already exists and ensures that America reaps the benefits of the contributions from the children it raised and educated. Allowing children of long-term visa holders to stay will empower people to tap into their talents and ambitions, helping us and our country reach our fullest potential. We urge Congress to act swiftly and pass the America's Children Act," said Dip Patel, Founder of Improve The Dream.

The U.S. visa system grants certain dependent children of visa holders legal status until they turn 21, but long green card backlogs have led to many such children aging out. These long-term residents are often left with no choice but to leave the United States if they cannot transition to a new status, leaving them in legal limbo and splitting families living here legally for years. This gap leaves young people, many of whom have only known the United States as home for most of their lives, vulnerable. The bill would establish age-out protections so that Documented Dreamers can keep their place in the green card line after their 21st birthday. Without this fix, the U.S. would risk losing talented young individuals - educated here and contributing to the American economy - to global competitors.

In addition to Durbin, the Senate version of the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Curtis (R-UT), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

The House bill is co-led by U.S. Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), and Maria Salazar (R-FL-27). It is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA-04), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Zachary Nunn (R-IA-03), Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13).

The bill is endorsed by organizations including Improve the Dream, Americans For Prosperity, Niskanen Center, The Libre Initiative, National Immigration Forum, and Council on National Security and Immigration.

Full text of the bill is available here.

Twenty-four years ago, Durbin first introduced the Dream Act-bipartisan legislation that would give undocumented immigrants who grew up in this country a chance to become American citizens.

In 2010, Durbin sent a letter, joined by the late Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), asking then-President Obama to stop the deportation of Dreamers. Thirteen years ago, President Obama responded by announcing the DACA program. More than 835,000 Dreamers have since come forward and received DACA, which has allowed them to contribute more fully to their country as teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and small business owners.

The Dream Act was also included in the 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill that Durbin coauthored as part of the "Gang of Eight"-made up of four Democrats and four Republicans. The 2013 bill passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan vote of 68-32, but the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives refused to consider it. Over the years, Senate Republicans have filibustered the Dream Act at least five times.

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