As The Trump Administration Attacks DACA, Durbin Calls On Chairman Grassley To Schedule A Committee Vote On The Dream Act

April 30, 2026 As The Trump Administration Attacks DACA, Durbin Calls On Chairman Grassley To Schedule A Committee Vote On The Dream Act Durbin’s Dream Act would establish a path to citizenship for thousands of Dreamers WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act , delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting denouncing the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—which protects Dreamers from deportation and gives them the chance to contribute more fully to the nation they love. During his opening, Durbin called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to hold a Committee hearing to examine the plight of Dreamers and to schedule a Committee vote on the Dream Act. Durbin’s Dream Act would establish a path to citizenship for thousands of Dreamers. Durbin began his opening by highlighting the Trump Administration’s weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under fired Attorney General Pam Bondi and now Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Key Quotes: “This is the Committee’s first business meeting since President Trump fired Attorney General Bondi. In short, she did more damage to the Justice Department’s reputation than any Attorney General in history. In just over a year, Bondi transformed the Department from the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency into a weaponized political battleground—providing a shield to protect the President and his cronies and a sword to attack his enemies.” “Earlier this month, the Justice Department moved to vacate the seditious conspiracy convictions of members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers for their key roles in leading the January 6 th insurrection… To add insult to injury, last week the Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center. This civil rights organization has worked tirelessly to expose violent extremists like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the same people who [Acting AG] Todd Blanche wants to give a clean slate.” “Just yesterday, DOJ brought its second baseless indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. This prosecution was personally ordered up by the President, who despises Comey for overseeing the investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. I’m confident Todd Blanche’s vindictive efforts will fail again, just like Pam Bondi’s baseless prosecutions of the President’s enemies.” “The Acting Attorney General is also weaponizing the Justice Department against Dreamers and those protected by DACA. These are young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Dreamers have grown up here, pledging allegiance to the same flag as all other American children. They are American in every way, except for their immigration status. But last week, the Justice Department issued a shocking decision that puts Dreamers at risk of being swept up in President Trump’s cruel mass deportation campaign.” “[DACA] protects Dreamers from deportation and gives them the chance to contribute more fully to the nation they love. Hundreds of thousands have signed up for DACA. They go through a background check… and receive a work authorization. Many are working in our communities—they are teaching our children and grandchildren. They are doctors, nurses, and small business owners.” “Despite multiple court challenges, DACA is still in place, and the Trump Administration is under court order from the Fifth Circuit to process DACA renewal and work permit applications... Even the courts that have ruled against the program have recognized the disastrous impacts of its termination and the significant reliance interests of DACA recipients and their families.” “But last Friday, the Justice Department’s Board of Immigration Appeals issued a binding precedent decision that DACA will no longer protect Dreamers from being arrested and deported. This puts every Dreamer in America at risk.” “Mr. Chairman, this Committee has the authority, jurisdiction, and responsibility to do something. I ask you—when you consider the schedule of a hearing, we need to schedule [a hearing] soon on the status of DACA and Dreamers in America. I also ask you to schedule a markup vote of S.3348, the bipartisan Dream Act , that I have introduced. This legislation, which has been referred to our Committee, would establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers.” Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here . Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here . Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations. Durbin then spoke against the nomination of Kathleen Lane, nominated to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Montana. “Ms. Lane is not remotely qualified to be a district judge. That is not my opinion—that is her official rating by the American Bar Association. Ms. Lane is the first judicial nominee to receive a ‘Not Qualified’ rating during President Trump’s second term. As the ABA explained, its rating is ‘based on issues with her experience, which is an important component of competence.’ The ABA found that Ms. Lane had failed to gain ‘substantial courtroom and trial experience in the less than nine years since she was admitted to the bar.’” “Not only has Ms. Lane’s legal career been short, it has also been extremely partisan. She currently works for the Republican National Committee. She has repeatedly chosen to litigate politically charged issues. The record shows that Ms. Lane is too ideological and [too] inexperienced.” Video of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Lane are available here . Audio of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Lane are available here . Footage of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Lane are available here for TV Stations. Durbin then spoke against the nomination of Kara Westercamp, nominated to be a judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade. “Kara Westercamp was selected for a singular purpose: her faithfulness to the White House, not the rule of law. Her offensive, inflammatory social media posts demonstrate that she lacks the temperament to sit on a bench.” “On her now-deactivated Twitter account, Ms. Westercamp spread conspiracy theories about the January 6 insurrection and attacked Republicans and Democrats alike for being insufficiently loyal to President Trump. She elevated claims that the January 6 attack was ‘orchestrated by members of the Senate, and members of the [Capitol] police,’ and dismissed the entire event with a post stating ‘we’re all supposed to be sending Thoughts & Prayers to traumatized Members of Congress whose workday was interrupted for a couple hours.’” “Notably, it appears some of her inflammatory, overtly political posts were made while Ms. Westercamp was on duty as an attorney at the Department of Justice, which would be a violation of federal law. Ms. Westercamp clearly lacks the temperament to serve on the bench as a judge.” Video of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Westercamp are available here . Audio of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Westercamp are available here . Footage of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Westercamp are available here for TV Stations. -30- Print Email Share Tweet