Alex Padilla U.S. Senator for California

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and mass deportation assaults intensify in Los Angeles and across the country, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, marked the upcoming 13th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy by urging Congress to take immediate action to deliver permanent protections for millions of families, parents, and individuals who are increasingly at risk amid President Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Padilla joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Representatives Sylvia R. Garcia (D-Texas-29) and Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), along with DACA recipients, Dreamers, advocates, and dozens of immigrant youth and leaders from the Home is Here campaign, to call attention to the blaring threats to the future of DACA and push for the passage of the Dream Act.

From abductions without warrants, deportations without due process, and the end to other temporary programs, the 13th anniversary of DACA is an important reminder that any effort to limit or end DACA will have painful, far-reaching consequences for the national economy and communities in every corner of the United States. California has over 160,000 DACA recipients who have been contributing to the country for years, and if the policy ended, it could cost the nation nearly $650 billion while potentially cutting over 400,000 workers.

“Time and time again, we’ve seen the same playbook from Donald Trump. When things go wrong, he scapegoats immigrants. To distract the country from his failed agenda, Trump’s rolling out illegal deportations, ignoring due process, and launching ICE raids in my hometown of Los Angeles,” said Senator Padilla. “This week, as we should be celebrating the 13th Anniversary of DACA, I understand the fear of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers because they feel even more at risk. In addition to being our neighbors and loved ones, Dreamers are our teachers and caregivers, nurses and doctors, small business owners and construction workers paying taxes just like the rest of us. We must pass the Dream Act to provide permanent protections for Dreamers who contribute so much to our country and economy, finally giving them the peace of mind they deserve.”

“In 2010, I sent a letter, joined by the late Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, asking then-President Obama to stop the deportation of Dreamers. And thirteen years ago this week, President Obama responded—he announced the DACA program. More than 835,000 Dreamers have since come forward and received DACA, which has allowed them to contribute more fully to their country as teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and small business owners. Now in their 13th year of waiting, we, the lawmakers, must honor Dreamers’ patience, act on our promises, and finally provide them a pathway to citizenship. I will continue to fight for them—and I urge my Republican colleagues to join me,” said Senator Durbin.

“I am someone who takes immense pride in being raised in the United States and have always felt American in every way but on paper. And while I have every reason to feel filled with hate after being discriminated against because of my identity, or seeing the ways hard working people like my parents have had to work twice as hard than the average person just to make ends meet, I still love this country deeply. As we approach the 13th anniversary of DACA, this moment is a reminder that immigrants are integral to this country. This is our home, and we urge Congress to do what we know is possible and popular among the vast majority of Americans: deliver a pathway to citizenship now,” said Adrien, a DACA recipient and College student studying computer engineering.

“For 13 years, I’ve held up my end of the bargain – to work, go to school, pay my taxes, and stay out of trouble. But for those same 13 years, politicians have dangled my future for political points, all while failing to pass a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers like me. Because of this inaction, we’ve been attacked by the President, the courts, elected officials, and states like Texas, who are trying to take away our work permits, in-state tuition, and more. At this very moment, we’re waiting for a judge to modify his decision that would affect thousands of Dreamers like me.  And that isn’t just a moral failure – it’s an economic disaster waiting to happen. The courts can’t decide our future forever. Congress must finally deliver what they’ve promised for years – a pathway to citizenship, stability, and dignity,” said Mariana, a DACA recipient.

“For 13 years, DACA has been an extraordinary success for the entire country, clearly demonstrating why the process for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status must remain our long-term, central goal. Nearly 1 million people can live, work, and contribute openly to the only country they’ve ever called home because of DACA. It’s well past time for Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution that provides certainty to DACA recipients, Dreamers, their families, and the country that relies on them,” said Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us.

“On DACA’s 13th anniversary, it is important to celebrate the wonderful things that DACA has done for our communities across the country and throughout the years. But, we always knew that it was not enough. We need Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship for all DACA recipients, immigrant youth, and our entire communities. With our communities under attack in unprecedented ways, we are beyond the point of urgency. We need words to become action,” said Diana Pliego, Senior Campaigns Strategist at NILC.

“As we mark the 13th anniversary of DACA, Make the Road Nevada stands with thousands of DACA recipients—and with the undocumented youth still left out—who call this country home. DACA has proven the power and promise of offering protections to immigrant communities. But it’s not enough. Year after year, we’ve seen how vulnerable the program remains, and why we need permanent protections now more than ever. Congress must act to finally deliver stability and security to our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and loved ones—because no one’s future should depend on a temporary policy,” said Leo Murrieta, Executive Director with Make the Road Nevada.

“As someone who was a DACA recipient, I know firsthand how critical this program has been in opening paths to economic mobility not just for recipients but also for our families and local communities. With DACA, recipients have been able to advance their careers as teachers, lawyers, nurses, mental health practitioners, business owners, and other valued employees. As we reflect on the thirteenth anniversary of DACA, while witnessing the militarized chaos sown in Los Angeles, we are also present to the fact that we need a more permanent solution and a pathway to citizenship for the many who call this country home and contribute to its spirit, economy, and culture. Our community has waited far too long for a working immigration system that keeps families together and treats every person regardless of their status with dignity and respect. Congress must act diligently and swiftly to work toward a solution like the Dream and Promise Act that protects the state and the people they represent,” said Iliana Perez, Executive Director of Immigrants Rising.

“DACA was never meant to be the finish line—it was a promise, a lifeline, and a call to action. As families across the country live in renewed fear of enforcement raids, we recommit to the fight for permanent protections. Dreamers are not only essential to our communities—they represent the very best of America’s promise. It’s time for Congress to meet this moment with courage and pass lasting solutions that honor their contributions and humanity,” said María Teresa Kumar, President and Co-Founder of Voto Latino.

Senator Padilla is a leading voice in Congress for immigration reform. He delivered remarks on the Senate floor earlier this week ahead of DACA’s 13th anniversary, pushing for permanent protections for Dreamers rather than the indiscriminate ICE raids stoking fear in Los Angeles communities. To commemorate the 12th anniversary of DACA, Padilla joined immigration advocates, DACA recipients, and other lawmakers to urge Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and call on former President Biden to protect Dreamers and long-term undocumented communities through executive action. He previously joined his Senate colleagues and directly impacted immigrant youth leaders for a press conference calling on Republicans in Congress to work with Democrats to pass permanent protections for DACA recipients after the 5th Circuit’s 2022 ruling left these recipients in limbo.

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