Durbin Previews Upcoming Judiciary Hearing on the Urgent Need to Protect Dreamers and Pass the Dream Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor highlighting next week’s Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Dream Deferred: The Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Youth.” The hearing will emphasize the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections for noncitizens who were brought to the United States as children. 

“Dreamers are young people who were brought to the United States as children.  They grew up in this country, pledged allegiance to this American flag in their classrooms, and simply want to be part of the future of America.  That’s what this is all about.  Many have gone on to serve our nation as first responders, nurses, and members of the armed forces.  They are American in every way—except under our law.  And without congressional action, they spend each day in fear of deportation,” said Durbin. 

More than 20 years ago, Durbin first introduced the Dream Act.  In 2010, Durbin sent a letter, joined by then-Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), asking then-President Obama to stop the deportation of Dreamers.  Nearly 12 years ago, President Obama responded by announcing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  More than 830,000 Dreamers have since come forward and received DACA, which has allowed them to contribute more fully to their country as teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and small business owners. 

During his speech, Durbin told the story of Brian Garcia Valdez, a Dreamer who came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was only 10 years old and grew up in South Texas.  Brian’s story is the 142^nd story of a Dreamer that Durbin has shared on the floor. 

“Because of Brian’s immigration status, he wasn’t eligible for financial aid to go to college.  So he worked multiple jobs—as a waiter, washing cars, and in construction—all to support his tuition cost at Texas A&M.  After four years of hard work, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2017,” said Durbin.  “Brian is now a medical student at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in my home state of Illinois…  In addition to his busy academic schedule, Brian has worked as a clinic coordinator in a health clinic assisting medically underserved communities.” 

“DACA allowed Brian to pursue his dream of being a doctor.  But his life is still in limbo because of the inaction of Congress.  Since President Obama established the DACA program, Republicans have waged a relentless campaign to overturn it and deport Dreamers back to countries that many don’t even remember,” Durbin continued.

DACA recipients are protected from deportation for now, but due to lawsuits by extreme MAGA Republicans, their fates are in the hands of a Republican-appointed judge who has repeatedly found DACA and other programs like it unlawful.  Last September, that federal judge in Texas declared the DACA program illegal.  Though the decision left in place protections for current DACA recipients while the appeal is pending, they live in fear that the next court decision will upend their lives.

“The lower court decision also has prevented any more Dreamers from registering for the program.  This means that without congressional action, thousands of Dreamers who are ready to serve our country as doctors, teachers, or first responders may never have that opportunity,” Durbin concluded.  “Next week, I will hold a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the urgent need to protect these inspiring young people.  It’s time for Congress to grant them the stability and certainty in their lives they deserve.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

The Dream Act was also included in the 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill that Durbin coauthored as part of the “Gang of Eight”— made up of four Democrats and four Republicans.  The 2013 bill passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan vote of 68-32, but the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives refused to consider it.  Over the years, Senate Republicans have filibustered the Dream Act at least five times.

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