Durbin pushes passage of Dreamer protections

Washington, D.C. (WAND) – Legislation to protect so-called Dreamers will be before the U.S. Senate sometime after Thanksgiving according to Senator Dick Durbin, (D) Illinois.

With power expected to shift in the House and 60 votes needed in the Senate there is a small window to protect Dreamers in the current Congress. Durbin and other lawmakers want legislation passed before the end of the year.

Dreamers, who are mostly young adult immigrants, face the prospect of losing work permits and deportation as early as 2023 if Congress does not act. Dreamers usually come to the United States as young children and have lived in this country most of their lives.

Senator Durbin and Democrats say Dreamers are productive holding jobs and paying taxes. They are essential to the U.S. economy. Senator Durbin believes he will need 10 Republicans in the Senate to help pass his legislation.