Washington, D.C. – Today, Sen. Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Graham (R-SC) re-introduced the DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for nearly 2 million undocumented people in the U.S., including DACA recipients, DACA-eligible young people and other immigrant youth. The introduction of the DREAM Act is an important step in providing a pathway to citizenship to all 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S.
Greisa Martinez Rosas, Executive Director of United We Dream, said:
“The re-introduction of the DREAM Act in the Senate is a direct testament to the undeniable power of immigrant youth and our allies who have pushed for meaningful legislation that protects our communities without harmful tradeoffs intended to increase enforcement and criminalization of immigrants. Protection for some immigrants should never come at the cost of detention and deportation of others. A clean DREAM Act would deliver just that to nearly two million undocumented people across the country.
We support any and all opportunities to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people that do not grow the deportation force of ICE and CBP, especially as far too many immigrants remain at risk of detention, deportation and death.
We are committed to fighting for citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S. in addition to defunding the deadly deportation forces of ICE and CBP, which have continued to torture, detain and deport Black and brown immigrants en masse.
Congress has the responsibility to end the 35-year-long delay on passing meaningful immigration legislation by enacting permanent relief for more than immigrant youth, including TPS and DED holders, all essential workers, and 11 million undocumented people. We appreciate the leadership of Sen. Durbin for keeping this issue a top priority. It is long past time to pass inclusive, transformative and permanent protections. President Biden and Democratic leadership have a mandate from the American people to act swiftly, boldly, and without harmful compromises with Republicans. We won’t stop fighting until everyone in our community is protected.”
