WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Minority Whip Dick Durbin on Wednesday pinned their hopes on President Donald Trump for help in passing their legislation to provide Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients a legal way to stay in the United States.
Graham said that the president cares about so-called “dreamers” and has the “unique ability to solve the border security problem,” including getting action on Graham-Durbin bill, called the DREAM Act.
The bill, first introduced by Senator Durbin 16 years ago, would conditionally grant temporary legal status for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States at early age, and offer a further possibility of obtaining permanent residency if they later meet certain qualification.
Graham assured DACA recipients who flanked him and Durbin that he had an “extensive” conversation with Trump.
“Let me tell you why I feel most hopeful this time,” Graham said. “The president, I think has the right attitude of solving this problem. He ran a very difficult and tough campaign on immigration.”
Durbin also said he had assurances from Trump about the bill.
“I have heard him saying to me over and over again,” said Durbin, “saying to me, looking me in the eye, ‘Don’t worry, senator, we are going to take care of those kids’.