Senator Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Chairman Chuck Grassley to schedule a committee vote on the Dream Act during an executive business meeting, according to an April 30 statement. Durbin criticized recent actions by the Trump Administration regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and urged prompt action from the committee.
The issue holds significance as DACA protects young immigrants known as Dreamers from deportation and allows them to contribute in various sectors of American society. The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a central role in shaping federal law and judicial matters across the nation, according to the official website.
During his remarks, Durbin said, “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.” He also addressed actions taken by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche: “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 6th 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.”
Durbin further said that recent decisions put every Dreamer at risk: “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.” He called for immediate committee action: “Mr. Chairman... we need to schedule [a hearing] soon on status of DACA and Dreamers in America. I also ask you to schedule a markup vote of S.3348... which would establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee serves as one of Congress's standing committees with authority over judicial nominations and legal matters according to its official website. It influences constitutional protections through legislative review and oversight duties according to its official website, affecting public safety nationwide according to its official website. The committee is led by a chairperson overseeing meetings with senators from both major parties according to its official website.
In addition, Durbin spoke against two judicial nominees—Kathleen Lane for U.S. District Court Judge for Montana (“Ms. Lane is not remotely qualified... That is not my opinion—that is her official rating by American Bar Association”)—and Kara Westercamp for U.S. Court of International Trade (“Kara Westercamp was selected for singular purpose: her faithfulness... Her offensive... social media posts demonstrate she lacks temperament”).
As debates continue within Congress about immigration policy reform and judicial appointments, observers expect further discussion about legislative responses concerning DACA recipients.
