A bipartisan pair of senators is filing legislation that would extend legal status for undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children.

Sen.(D-Ill.) and Sen.(R-S.C.) rolled out legislation on Friday to try to provide an assurance to such people in case President-electnixes the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

They're calling it the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow Our Economy Act, or BRIDGE Act.

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"This is an effort by Sen. Graham and myself to have a bipartisan answer to the question about what happens to these 800,000 and others like them while we debate the future of immigration," Durbin said.





He added that hundreds of thousands of immigrants have a "concern and a fear" about what will happen to them if Trump roles back Obama's executive action.

In addition to Durbin and Graham, Sens. Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Pence defends Trump's 'obligation' to nominate new Supreme Court justice MORE (R-Alaska), Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinBiden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court McConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote MORE (D-Calif.) and Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE (R-Ariz.) are backing the bill.

The DACA program — which has faced a lengthy legal battle — provides people living in the U.S. illegally who arrived as children with work authorization and a temporary halt on deportation if they meet certain requirements.

The legislation would allow undocumented immigrants who are eligible for DACA to apply for "provisional protected status" if they pay a fine and undergo a background check.

The law would sunset after three years.

"If you have DACA now you would receive provisional protected status until your DACA expires and you can apply for an extension," Durbin said.

The legislation won't pass the Senate this year, with lawmakers expected to leave town as soon as Friday. Durbin indicated Friday they would reintroduce the bill early next year.

Graham announced late last month that he was working on the bill with Durbin, arguing it would buy "Dreamers" time as lawmakers try to pass a broader comprehensive immigration bill.

"If he repeals it then we ought to immediately pass legislation to extend their legal status. I'm willing to do that," he said. "I'm going to support legislation that will continue legal status for these kids until we can find a fix to the overall program."

He added separately that the fight over the undocumented immigrants is a "very defining moment about who we are as a party."

Graham urged Trump to back the bill on Friday, arguing it would help pave the way to provide legal status through "the proper constitutional process."

The legislation comes as Trump appeared to soften his immigration stance this week, pledging to "work something out."