Posted on 02/06/2018 6:20:05 PM PST by mdittmar
WASHINGTONFive months since the Trump Administration terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and called for Congress to come up with a legislative solution, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again came to the Senate floor to call on Republican leaders in Congress to pass the bipartisan Dream Act now.
In his speech, Durbin noted that just four weeks agoin a nationally televised White House meetingPresident Trump himself acknowledged that the DACA crisis must be addressed first, before any attempt to turn to comprehensive immigration reform. In that meeting, the President said that he wanted to protect DACA recipients, and he would sign any bipartisan bill that Congress sent him. In reality, President Trump has walked away from three separate, bipartisan offers to fund his broadly unpopular and partisan southern border wall in exchange for the broadly popular and bipartisan Dream Act. On the backs of Dreamers, the White House is attempting to dramatically reduce legal immigration by prohibiting American citizens from sponsoring their parents, siblings, and adult or married children as immigrants. The Presidents immigration framework would also fast-track deportations of women and children who come to our border fleeing gang and sexual violence.
In the past, Democrats have supported some of the Presidents proposals, like changes in our family immigration system, and eliminating the diversity visa lottery. But I might remind my colleagues, that was all part of a significantly comprehensive immigration reform bill. Now, we are being asked to accept this Administrations proposals with no conditions and no give-or-take. If the Administration wants to reform our legal immigration system, we have some priorities that we care for as well, Durbin said. If were talking about protecting national security, why arent we closing the loopholes in the Visa Waiver Program? Zacarias Moussaoui, the so-called 20th hijacker of 9/11, tried to enter through the Visa Waiver Program. So did Richard Reid, the shoe bomber. And Congress should also close the loophole that lets people who enter the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program remember, 20 million a year we allow them to buy guns, even assault weapons, even if they are on the FBIs Terrorist Watchlist.
Video of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor are available here.
Audio of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
More than 18,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA status, and beginning in less than one month on March 5, 2018 every day for the following two years 1,000 Dreamers will lose their work permits and be subject to deportation. The Trump Administration itself has said that it will take six months to implement legislation legalizing DACA recipients.
In July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.
Here's an old song I like;)
The President is leading.
Durbin’s problem is that the President is leading America to greatness.
Upper U S, Dirtbag.
Shut up Dick....he already told you guys you messed it up.
There’s an offer on the table. It’s the best you’re gonna get. Obama is at home taking it in teh bootay from Michelle. He ain’t here no-mo.
Hey, Dick—President Trump is doing a great job.
You guys, on the other hand, don’t know your a$$ from a hole in the ground.
Everything the dems do is just throw out one lie after another and then stand back while their media lackeys try to spin it into political currency. They are vile people. All of em.
Tricky Dickey must of missed the message that his State / his job is in play.
Once again Dirtbag Durbin has gotta open his mouth and let the shit fall out...........
Senator “Whip-Dick” Durbin. What a putz. He couldn’t get this done under Barry, so Barry broke the law, got out his infamous “pen and phone” and issued an extra-Constitutional EO.
Their native lands need them—Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, etc.
Sorry, amigos, but it's time we put out the “No Vacancy” sign.
The Dems are the ones with the lead in their ass , State of the Union proves that
Hell no. Americans are dreamers too. We’re dreaming of building that big beautiful wall, and keeping out the trespassers. Get Congress to pass that first.
Dickless Durbin - working to make Illinois synonymous with Somalia.
Oh okay, $hithole Dick.
Trump isn’t a legislator.
Obama thought he was King and that is why there is a DACA problem today.
And people like Durban set there on their fat donkeys and let Obama pass unconstitutional mandates.
Now it is time to do the job they haven’t done in years.
Deal with the immigration problem in congress or shut up while President Trump enforces the laws on the books.
That is his job.
He doesn’t have constitutional power to make up laws.
Turban Durbin, huh?
Lyin’ Dick is at it again.
Skin that smokewagon and see what happens, Whip Dick!
DACA was be executive fiat and unless congress chooses to do something, it will die a loud and nasty death. And Trump has nothing to do with it.
Trump offered up an immigration plan. Either take it, show support and get something from it, or don’t. But this is a legislative matter, not an executive.
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