Feinstein Statement on Immigration

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after bills to protect Dreamers failed to advance:

“The Senate today voted on a bill to provide a path to citizenship for 1.8 million Dreamers, and it failed. It failed even though it included a huge funding boost for border security, as Republicans demanded.

“I’m beyond heartbroken at today’s result, I’m disgusted. These young people are being used as bargaining chips for every anti-immigrant measure dreamed up by conservative interest groups, and it’s unconscionable.

“The bill we voted on was flawed and not what I would’ve drafted. I’ve made my preference clear, and that’s a vote on a clean Dream Act without the poison pill amendments that Republicans insist on. But Democrats worked hard and made significant compromises to move a bill that addressed Republican concerns. And even then, they still voted it down.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Dreamers are good for our country and they deserve to live without fear of deportation. I’ve gotten to know many Dreamers—these are good people, and the president and his cohort in the Senate should be ashamed of how they’ve been treated.

“I won’t give up on finding a solution for Dreamers. If we don’t act, these young immigrants will lose their jobs. They won’t be able to finish their education. They’ll face the threat of deportation and their families will be torn apart. These young people are Americans in every way that counts.

“My message to Dreamers is to not give up hope. We’re going to keep working to find a solution.”