Durbin Meets With ICIRR To Discuss Urgent Need For Pathway To Legal Status For Undocumented Immigrants

Press Release

SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, yesterday met virtually with the Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and coalition groups to discuss the urgent need to provide a pathway to legal status for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, and essential workers through the budget reconciliation process.

"For 35 years, Congress has repeatedly failed to provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants," said Durbin. "In 2005, Senate Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to dramatically increase the number of green cards available to immigrants--so there is ample precedent for passing immigration legislation through reconciliation. This is our opportunity to finally provide a path to legalization for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers who are contributing to our economy every day."

The reforms Durbin is advocating for in the Senate--including legalization for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers through the reconciliation process--are estimated to add nearly $150 billion of spending power to our economy every year, boosting our nation's GDP by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years.

Source