(WJBC file photo)
By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network
CHICAGO – Saving protections for undocumented immigrants who came into the U.S. as children is the top priority for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) this week.
Durbin has promised to speak on the Senate floor every day this week to the keep the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals policy in place. A bill has passed in the House to end the program, which could mean deportation for those currently under its protection. Durbin is pledging to fight the bill in the Senate.
“It is shameless, shameless to play politics with the lives of these young people,” said Durbin. “They grew up in this country, attending school in this country, putting their hand over their hearts in their classrooms every day, pledging allegiance to the only flag they’ve ever known.”
The action ending DACA is tied to a funding bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Durbin is hoping the Republican leaders in the Senate instead introduce legislation funding the department without trying to touch immigration programs.
