U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement on Apr. 25 regarding the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review Board of Immigration Appeals decision in the Matter of Santiago-Santiago, which determined that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will no longer necessarily protect recipients from removal proceedings or deportation.
The issue is significant because DACA has provided temporary protection from deportation to individuals who came to the United States as children and met certain requirements. The recent decision could impact hundreds of thousands who rely on this status.
“This decision could have profound consequences for the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who rely on DACA to live and work in America without threat of deportation,” Durbin said. He continued, “In the face of this Administration’s heartless actions, Congress must finally act to protect these young people who know no other home than here. This is a matter of simple American fairness and justice.”
Earlier this year, Durbin led efforts with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and other colleagues urging officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address delays in processing DACA renewal applications. In February, he raised concerns about DHS targeting and removing DACA recipients; data from DHS shows that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 261 DACA recipients and removed 86 between January 1, 2025, and November 19, 2025.
Durbin first introduced the Dream Act in 2001 as a pathway for young immigrants to earn citizenship and has reintroduced it every Congress since then. He also worked with President Obama in establishing DACA in 2012. Government data indicates that the number of active DACA holders dropped from about 530,000 in September 2024 to approximately 515,000 by June 2025.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a central role in shaping constitutional protections and public safety through its legislative duties according to its official website. The committee reviews legislation related to civil rights issues such as immigration policy according to its official website, oversees federal law enforcement agencies including those responsible for immigration enforcement according to its official website, is chaired by a senator overseeing bipartisan members according to its official website, operates out of Washington, D.C., but affects judicial matters nationwide according to its official website, influences civil rights through oversight responsibilities according to its official website, and serves as a standing committee with authority over legal matters according to its official website.
