WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of senators today introduced legislation that would provide permanent protections to millions of Dreamers, allowing them to continue living and working in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
The Dream Act of 2019, introduced by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), would provide some Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other Dreamers a path to earn eventual citizenship if they meet certain requirements.
Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen are also expected to introduce the SECURE Act today, which would provide permanent protections for recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
“Dreamers, TPS and DED recipients are integral to our communities and economies. The United States is what they know as home,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “We are encouraged by the efforts in the Senate to provide constructive, much-needed immigration solutions that would allow Dreamers, TPS and DED recipients to fully contribute without uncertainty or fear of deportation.
“The reality is that an overwhelming majority of Americans across the political spectrum support a permanent solution for Dreamers, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should embrace this opportunity to pass bipartisan legislation that will benefit American workers, their families and our nation as a whole.”