WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bipartisan legislation that would protect people brought to the U.S. as children is back, and the urgency is greater.
Yesterday, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) introduced the Dream Act of 2023, which resembles earlier versions of that legislation. The news comes as 600,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients — and their employers and schools — are in limbo because of court challenges to the policy.
The Dream Act would resolve legal concerns related to DACA and offer Dreamers permanent legal status, allowing them to continue living and working in the U.S. without fear of deportation. The 2021 Dream Act would have offered permanence to as many as 1.9 million Dreamers, according to FWD.us.
In polling in late November, 73% of registered voters, including 70% of self-identified conservatives, said they supported prompt legislative action that would provide a permanent solution for Dreamers, in addition to strengthening border security and meeting farm workforce needs.
“It is great to see Senators Durbin and Graham continuing to work together on a solution that has always maintained significant bipartisan support,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “There is strong support among conservatives, moderates and liberals across the country for a Dreamer solution this year.
“DACA’s days are numbered. Congress must act quickly to provide a permanent solution for Dreamers, who are contributing so much to America. We can’t afford to let them down.”