Democrats Reintroduce Dream Act as Immigration Raids Rise, Urging Protections for 'Dreamers'

Democrats Reintroduce Dream Act as Immigration Raids Rise

Democrats and immigrant-rights advocates gathered on Capitol Hill to press Congress to extend protections for young undocumented immigrants as federal immigration enforcement increases nationwide. Lawmakers formally reintroduced the Dream Act, legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for people who were brought to the United States as children — commonly known as "Dreamers."

Advocates say the recent escalation in enforcement has left many in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) community living in fear. "Our communities are being hunted," Greisa Martinez Rosas, executive director of United We Dream, said as she urged Congress to act swiftly.

"Our communities are being hunted." — Greisa Martinez Rosas, United We Dream

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who plans to retire at the end of his term, reminded reporters that he has introduced the Dream Act in every Congress since 2001 and said he remains committed to the measure. "I'm not giving up," Durbin said, calling himself "a proud son of an immigrant" and stressing the need to help the next generation.

Durbin also highlighted the 2012 DACA program, created under President Barack Obama, which has allowed hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people to live and work in the United States without immediate threat of deportation. He and other lawmakers say recent detention reports underscore the urgency of legislative protections.

Advocates reported that immigration agents have detained as many as 20 DACA recipients since President Donald Trump returned to office. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) recounted one case in which a deaf DACA recipient from his district was detained while working at a Los Angeles car wash. "He cannot hear, but he was stopped and detained by federal agents," Padilla said.

The Dream Act has attracted some bipartisan support in the past. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is the bill's lead Republican sponsor, though she did not speak at the press event. Padilla said several Republicans privately express support for the measure but have been hesitant to do so publicly.

"All I'm waiting for is for enough of my Republican colleagues to express their support publicly the way they're sharing it privately," Padilla said. "They know it's wrong for so many young people to be limited in their opportunities."

Despite vocal backing from some Democrats and immigrant-rights groups, the bill faces significant political obstacles. Some Republicans argue Congress should prioritize enforcing existing immigration laws before considering broader reforms. "There's a process by which you can come here legally," said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). "If you don't abide by that process, you don't have a right to be here."

The administration has encouraged some undocumented immigrants to self-deport. While it has not formally ended DACA during this term, the Trump administration previously attempted to rescind the program in 2017 — a move the U.S. Supreme Court blocked in 2020 — and is pursuing steps to limit DACA recipients' access to certain federal health and education benefits.

What’s Next

Supporters say the Dream Act would provide long-term certainty for Dreamers and help integrate them fully into American civic and economic life. Opponents argue broader immigration policy and enforcement must be addressed first. Lawmakers will need to build bipartisan coalitions to move the bill through a closely divided Congress.