Graham, Durbin introduce bill to give citizenship to ‘Dreamers’

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have re-introduced the bipartisan DREAM Act. If passed, the bill would allow people who were brought to the United States illegally as children to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually citizenship.

According to their offices, immigrants would qualify if they: 

• Came to the U.S. as children and are without lawful status;
• Graduate from high school or obtain a GED;
• Pursue higher education, work lawfully for at least three years, or serve in the military;
• Pass security and law enforcement background checks;
• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language and a knowledge of United States history; and
• Have not committed a felony or other serious crimes.

Graham and Durbin have introduced the same bill in the last three sessions of Congress.

“We don’t believe that young people should be held responsible for the errors or illegal actions of their parents. Number two, we believe that those who were brought to the United States as children, have grown up in this country, have no criminal record, who are prepared to serve this country in a variety of ways should be given that chance to make America a better nation,” Sen. Durbin said when the duo introduced it five years ago.

However, Sen. Graham added that passing this legislation now would require more action to secure the border. 

“While I continue to support relief for ‘Dreamers,’ I hope my Democratic colleagues understand we must repair a broken border and address a tsunami of illegal immigration before that is remotely possible,” Graham said in a statement.

Different variations of this bill have passed in both chambers respectively in previous years, but never the same bill at the same time to get it over the finish line.

Durbin and Graham face a different political climate this time around. They have a slightly larger Democratic majority in the Senate, a Republican majority in the House and a supportive Democratic president.