Political Quotes

On the recordSeptember 20, 2011
it was 10 years ago when I introduced the DREAM Act. It is an important piece of legislation for thousands of people who are living in America who are literally without status, without a country. The DREAM Act says, if one came to the United States as a child, if they are a long-term U.S. resident, if they have good moral character, if they have graduated from high school and they are prepared to complete 2 years of college or enlist in our military, we will give them a chance to be legal in America. That is what it says. The young people who are affected by it are many times people who have never known another country in their lives. They got up at school, as Senator Menendez has said so artfully, they pledged allegiance to the only flag they have ever known. They sing the only national anthem they have ever known. They speak English and want a future in America. Yet they have no country. Because their parents brought them to this country as children, because their parents did not file the necessary papers, they are without a country and without a future. The DREAM Act gives them a chance--a chance to excel and prove they can make this a better nation. The Obama administration recently made an announcement that I think is not only the right thing to do but paves the way for us to give these young people a chance.…
Said by
Dick Durbin
Democratic · Illinois
Source
govinfo.gov
Sep 20, 2011

Share

More from Dick Durbin

Aug 20, 2026

For all of these reasons, ATF should withdraw this rule.

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 24, 2026

The lawmakers also emphasized that the Trump Administration’s definition of medical frailty far exceeds what is outlined in the law itself and creates additional onerous barriers for both patients and states.

duckworth.senate.gov
Aug 25, 2026

Students need to be careful. You can’t go wrong starting with City Colleges and community colleges in your community… I beg my young students in Illinois to start there, and counselors to do their job and discourage kids from getting…

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 15, 2026

Our state’s top-notch rail system keeps our economy moving while allowing Illinoisans to travel from Chicago to Carbondale.

durbin.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation