According to CNBC, Senators Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, and Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, have introduced the newest version of the Dream Act. The original bill was proposed in 2001 and would give undocumented individuals, who arrived in the United States as a child, a possible pathway to a United States citizenship. Unfortunately, the legislation has not been able to pass Congress, despite several tries – which is what lead to the creation of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, by President Obama in 2012. Though DACA was an executive order un the Obama administration, and is currently protected under the Biden administration, it does not allow its recipients a path to American citizenship.
Under the Dream Act, young foreign nationals would be given lawful permanent residency if they meet certain criteria, such as graduating from a high school or receiving the equivalent GED and passing background checks. Senator Graham wishes to pass the Dream Act along side an immigration package, not just as a bill itself. If an immigration package passes, it will be the first time in 15 years that there will be such a reform to the immigration system. We will be continuously checking for updates on this topic. If you have questions about your case or want to get started on a DACA case, give Law Offices of Wiliani-Malek a call at (714) 432-1333 today!
