Durbin Statement on Next Step in the Implementation of New U.S. Deportation Policy

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released the following statement today after the Department of Homeland Security announced the next steps in the implementation of the Obama Administration's new deportation policy:

"I strongly support the Obama Administration's new deportation policy and I commend the Department of Homeland Security for the steps it is taking today to implement this policy. But more needs to be done, and it needs to be done quickly. Many young people who would be eligible for the DREAM Act are still facing deportation proceedings. Almost every day, my office is contacted by DREAM Act students who are at risk of being deported in days or even hours."

"It is important to understand that this new policy is only a temporary solution. The deportations of many DREAM Act students will be temporarily suspended. But ultimately the responsibility lies with Congress to pass the DREAM Act and give DREAM Act students a path to permanent legal status in America."

On August 18, Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano sent Senator Durbin a letter announcing a new deportation policy. Under the new policy, DHS will review pending deportation cases to identify which are high-priority and which are low-priority. Cases involving criminals and threats to public safety will be expedited, while low-priority cases will be closed in many instances.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced the next steps in this process:

* Beginning today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and attorneys will receive comprehensive training on this new deportation policy. By January, all ICE officers and attorneys will have received this training.
* Beginning today, ICE attorneys will review all new deportation cases to identify low priority cases that should not be placed in the immigration courts.
* Beginning in early December, Department of Homeland Security attorneys will review pending deportation cases in Baltimore and Denver to identify low priority cases that should be removed from the immigration courts.
* This trial review of new and pending cases will be completed by mid-January and then will be expanded nationwide.

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