WASHINGTON — Media reports indicate that the Senate may introduce a new, bipartisan bill titled the DREAM Act to provide a pathway to legal status for young, undocumented immigrants later this week. This development comes on the heels of the latest attack on the Deferred Action from Childhood Arrivals program, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns at the American Civil Liberties Union, said:

“The DACA program was the culmination of years of work that unlocked the door for young and undocumented immigrants to pursue their dreams and contribute to the country they call home without the constant fear of deportation.

“DACA is constitutional, popular, and successful. To rescind the program without protecting young immigrants from deportation is simply unconscionable.

“Trump and his administration’s back-and-forth rhetoric on DACA have generated waves of fear throughout the immigrant community. This revitalized effort to introduce and enact into law the DREAM Act demonstrates both the urgency of the situation and bipartisan support. The passage of the DREAM Act and permanent security for young immigrants is long overdue.

“Given their losing efforts on health care, the Trump administration should take this opportunity as a win by supporting and signing legislation that would treat DREAMers with compassion. This is a test to President Trump’s ‘big heart,’ which he referenced numerous times during his campaign.

“If the President and his administration decide to go against DREAMers, they should get ready to hear from hundreds of thousands of foot soldiers.”