15 NOV 2022

Senate Democrats Show Strong Support to Deliver Protections for Dreamers During Lame Duck

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Democratic Senators from across the country have publicly declared their support for immigration reform – most notably for passing a legislative fix for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and immigrant youth during Congress’ lame duck session. The move holds popular support among the American electorate as exit polls show that voters support Congress taking immediate action to protect Dreamers by a 2-to-1 margin.

In a DSCC press conference earlier today, Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) said “We want to get DACA done. A number of our Senators led by Senators Durbin and Padilla as well as Senator Sinema are working in a bipartisan way. We are going to try to get something done in the lame duck." Watch his comment here. 

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), re-elected in one of the highest-profile races in the country, also told reporters today, “We need comprehensive immigration reform. It's incredibly important for our state but also for the country. We’ve got tens of thousands of Dreamers in Arizona who I look at as American as my own two kids.” Watch his comment here. 

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), also re-elected in one of the closest Senate races in the country, said during her victory speech this week: “ I’ll never give up fighting for our immigrant families. That means a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, our TPS holders, our essential workers and our farm workers. These Nevadans deserve to feel safe here in their home and I will work with anyone, ANYONE, to ensure they are treated with dignity.” Watch her speech here.

Despite its popularity, DACA is under judicial threat. If Congress doesn’t act in the lame duck session this year, the courts could end the program as soon as next year, and an average of 1,000 DACA recipients would lose their jobs each week – in labor market sectors already experiencing shortages, especially in health care, education, and more. 

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.