Speech #1140002489

They dont want us to take advantage of their skills and talents. They are wrong. Why do they want to eliminate DACA? Why are the House Republicans so determined to eliminate it? Because that is their way of getting back at this President. That is their way of trying to make us forget that the House Republicans refused for 2 years to call up immigration reform legislation. They refused to fix our broken immigration system. and when the President stepped in on an emergency basis. now they are resisting him and trying to deport these DREAMers. How can they explain this? How can they explain this to these young people who. through no fault of their own. were brought to the United States and who have not had an opportunity to succeed. as we all hope they will? This is obstructionism on the part of the Republicans in the House. We did pass the bill on a bipartisan basis in June of 2013. 68 to 32. for comprehensive immigration reform. The House had ample opportunityover a year and a halfto call up this measure and they refused. They refused because they knew it would pass. And that is why it is important for us to stand up and tell the American people what is at stake. One of the most important things we can do is to face the reality that our immigration system is broken. And to fix this immigration system. we need to work together on a bipartisan basis. Let us not do it with a negative feeling toward these young people. Give the DREAMers a chance. I will tell my colleagues this. If this bill comes over from the House of Representatives and this bill eliminates DACA. fate puts 1.6 million young DREAMers into the legal jeopardy of facing deportation. and then eliminates the rights of their parents who have children who are citizens or legal residents to stay in this country. then we are going to see a fight on the floor of the U.S. Senate. I think it is the responsible thing to do for us to stand up for these young people who had the courage to step out of the shadows. to register with their government. to submit themselves to a background check. The right and responsible thing to do is for us to stand behind them. There are so many amazing stories about these young people and to ignore them is to ignore Americas legacy and roots. We are a nation of immigrants. My mother was an immigrant to this country and I stand on the floor of the U.S. Senate honorably. I hope. representing the great State of Illinois. and really I hope a testament to what the sons of immigrants can do across America. and daughters as well. That is why this is an important issue for us to deal with and to do it forthrightly. and I urge my colleagues to resist this effort by the Republicans to deport 1.6 million eligible DREAMers and others who may stand the chance to make America a better and stronger nation. I yield the floor.