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

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.

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