On DACA Deadline, Durbin Implores Congress to Pass Dream Act (Brandis Friedman)-Chicago Tonight
Young immigrants protected under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, would have lost that protection starting Monday, under an order from President Donald Trump.
But because temporary court orders are preventing the program from lapsing, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and activists say they don’t know how long the program will still be effective.
“No one can predict how long that protection will last,” said Durbin, who on Monday again implored Congress to pass the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow young immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship.
“This humanitarian crisis in this country – and I call it that – was created by President Trump on Sept. 5. He has failed to agree to six different bipartisan proposals to solve the problem he created,” Durbin said.
In Chicago, a coalition of faith leaders from the city and suburbs marked the day by holding a vigil and procession to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office downtown.
There, the group formed a human chain around the office for about 20 minutes to show that they will continue to protect immigrants from deportation.
Advocates say about 900 Dreamers are in danger of losing protection under DACA every day.
Follow Brandis Friedman on Twitter @BrandisFriedman
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/03/05/daca-deadline-durbin-implores-congress-pass-dream-act
