WASHINGTON — A new bipartisan immigration push would go even further than previous failed reform efforts to provide rights and protections to undocumented people brought to America as children.
In direct opposition to President Donald Trump’s inclination to allow “Dreamers” be placed back in line for deportation, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois introduced a bill that would add another path to permanent residency for this group of undocumented immigrants.
The latest version of the DREAM Act, which has been introduced roughly a dozen times, also would give states new authority to grant in-state tuition rates to these undocumented immigrants.
“These kids are running out of asphalt. They’re running out of runway,” Graham said Thursday when announcing the legislation. “They came out of the shadows at the invitation of their government. They’ve identified themselves and their legal standing is now in question. It becomes an almost moral decision.”
The legislation is largely similar to the past version of the legislation that would provide a path to legalization for immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children, if they go to college or serve in the military for at least two years. This draft would provide an additional path for qualifying immigrants who have been employed for at least three years, of which 75 percent was authorized.
“Democrats failed to pass the DREAM Act seven years ago when they were in power,” said Mohammad Abdollahi, co-founder of Dreamactivist.org. “They shouldn’t expect undocumented youth to wait a second longer for them to take action. DACA has always just been a temporary solution and we are activating our over 650,000 members across the country and will ensure passage of the DREAM Act this congressional session.”
Trump, who has returned to a hard-line position on immigration, will not support this bill, according to his staff. A White House official told McClatchy that Trump is instead focused on enforcement measures that crack down on illegal immigration.
“The president campaigned on enforcement first, and that is where his focus is,” the official said.
Aboard Air Force One last week, Trump indicated he was still agonizing over what to do about DACA.
