DREAM Act author praises Obama's immigration announcement

By Daniel Strauss - 06/15/12 11:48 AM ET

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) praised President Obama's decision to stop deporting young immigrants living in the country illegally.

"The Obama administration’s decision to extend temporary legal status to DREAM Act students is an historic humanitarian moment," Durbin, the author of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, said in a statement Friday. "This action will give these young immigrants their chance to come out of the shadows and be part of the only country they’ve ever called home. These young people did not make the decision to come to this country, and it is not the American way to punish children for their parents’ actions. I commend President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano for their courage and leadership."

The administration's announcement came as Congress heads toward a major immigration policy debate. Durbin and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), often named on shortlists for the vice presidential spot on the 2012 Republican ticket, have both proposed immigration reform plans to keep young immigrants living in the country illegally from being deported.

Durbin's legislation provides a pathway to citizenship for the young immigrants provided they show good moral character and are working toward completing a degree at a college or university or serving in the military. By contrast, Rubio's proposal (which he plans to introduce in the form of legislation later this summer) provides non-immigrant visas to young illegal immigrants but does not provide a pathway to citizenship.

Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.) also introduced a House bill that would grant non-immigrant status to young illegal immigrants provided they came to the United States before they were 16 and lived in the country for five continuous years. Rivera's legislation provides a pathway to citizenship.

Durbin and Rubio have both expressed a preference for their respective plans over the other proposals.

Despite the multiple proposals, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has said he does not expect any of them to become law this year. Additionally, the House has refused to take up Durbin's DREAM Act, the senator noted.

"I first made this request of the administration two years ago and renewed it with the support of 21 Senators last year," Durbin continued. "Because the House has refused to consider the DREAM Act and a filibuster blocked it in the Senate, this presidential action was absolutely necessary to serve the cause of justice."