Durbin, Graham Introduce the Dream Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip
Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator
Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee,
introduced the Dream Act of 2023, which would allow noncitizens without
lawful status who were brought to the United States as children and meet
certain education or work requirements to earn lawful permanent
residence. Durbin and Graham have introduced identical legislation in the
last three sessions of Congress.
These young people, known as Dreamers,
have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are
American in every way except for their immigration status. However, under
current law there is often no chance for them to ever become citizens and
fulfill their potential.
“Dreamers are teachers, nurses, and small
business owners in our communities, but because DACA hangs by a thread in the
courts, they live each day in fear of deportation. It is clear that only
Congress can give them the stability they deserve and a path to lawful
permanent residence,” Durbin said. “I first introduced the Dream
Act more than 20 years ago, and I’ll continue fighting until it becomes the
law of the land. This is a matter of simple American fairness and
justice. I thank Senator Graham for his continued partnership in this
important bipartisan effort.”
“While I continue to support relief for
Dreamers, I hope my Democratic colleagues understand we must repair a broken
border and address a tsunami of illegal immigration before that is remotely
possible,” said
Graham. “The Dreamers represent a class of illegal immigrants that
have much public support because they were minors brought here by their parents
and America has become their home. To provide relief to this population, we
must first convince Americans that the unending wave of illegal immigration
will stop.”
The Dream Act of 2023 would allow
these young people to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American
citizenship if they:
- Came to the U.S. as children and are without lawful status;
- Graduate from high school or obtain a GED;
- Pursue higher education, work lawfully for at least three years, or serve in the military;
- Pass security and law enforcement background checks and pay a reasonable application fee;
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English language and a knowledge of United States history; and
- Have not committed a felony or other serious crimes and do not pose a threat to our country.
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