Illinois Democratic Party Marks 14th Anniversary of DACA With Call for Dreamer Protections (Springfield, IL) – Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez marked the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Monday by reaffirming support for Dreamers and calling for stronger federal protections and a pathway to citizenship.
In a statement released by the party, Hernandez highlighted the role DACA has played in allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children to work, study and contribute to their communities.
“As someone who has worked twenty years in the Illinois General Assembly to uplift immigrant communities, I understand the importance of DACA,” Hernandez said. “It has helped Dreamers come out of the shadows. It’s allowed community organizers, entrepreneurs and first responders to continue to serve our state.”
Created in 2012, DACA provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for eligible individuals who were brought to the United States as children. While the program does not provide a pathway to citizenship, it has allowed hundreds of thousands of recipients nationwide to live and work in the country legally.
Hernandez criticized Republican immigration policies and expressed concern about uncertainty facing DACA recipients.
“But because of Republicans’ far-right deportation agenda, DACA recipients have more anxiety than ever–scared of being targeted and harassed–despite contributing more good to this state than this current White House,” she said.
The Democratic Party of Illinois statement also pointed to support from prominent Illinois Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez and U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, who have advocated for immigration reform and protections for Dreamers.
“From Senator Dick Durbin, to Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, to Congressman Chuy García, Illinois Democrats will continue to fight for protections and a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients,” Hernandez said.
The future of DACA has remained uncertain for years as the program faces ongoing legal challenges in federal courts. Congress has repeatedly debated, but not enacted, comprehensive immigration reforms that would create a permanent legal status or pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.
Illinois has long been among the states with some of the strongest political support for immigrant communities and DACA recipients, with many state and local leaders backing efforts to expand legal protections and opportunities for undocumented residents.
Illinois Democratic Party Marks 14th Anniversary of DACA With Call for Dreamer Protections
