U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said he sees support for the DREAM Act growing and he expects lawmakers will approve it in some form. (Photo courtesy flickr)

By Dave Dahl

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), said he knows even Republicans are starting to change their attitudes toward illegal immigrants, and he foresees the DREAM Act passing in some form, including “a path to citizenship” for those who meet certain standards.

Durbin says he introduced the bill – granting legal status to those who came here as children of illegal immigrants, but have completed school or military service – 11 years ago. He believes the tide is turning.

“Two Republican senators have stepped up – Sen. (Susan) Collins of Maine, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky – and said they support the DREAM Act. In addition to that, many of the more conservative commentators are saying the same thing,” said Durbin. “There’s an active conversation under way on immigration reform.”

Durbin said in his mind, the issue sunk the Republican candidate for president.

“Gov. (Mitt) Romney said, ‘I would veto the DREAM Act.’ I thought that, that, those are fighting words among Hispanics, that you wouldn’t give their kids, who came here through no fault of their own, a chance?”