[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  DACA

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, it was 9 years ago today, after a year 
or more of writing letters to my friend and colleague President Obama, 
that he finally agreed to an Executive order known as DACA. DACA took 
the heart of the DREAM Act, which I introduced 20 years ago, and made 
an Executive order. He said to those who were brought to this country 
as children, infants, who really had nothing to do with the family 
decision on coming to America: We are going to give you a chance, since 
you grew up undocumented, to be a part of this Nation. So every 2 
years, you can apply for renewable status, be protected from 
deportation, and be allowed to legally work. We will do a criminal 
investigation, national security investigation, and if we believe that 
you are no threat to this country, we will give you 2 years to prove 
yourself.
  More than 800,000 young people stepped forward and made a life in 
America and did extraordinary things for this country. They proved 
that, given a chance to be part of America's future, they would make it 
a better nation. Two of them testified today. One of them is a doctor 
from the city of Chicago. I am so proud of him, Dr. Bernal Mejia. He 
was born in Mexico and grew up in Memphis, TN. He struggled, scrapped, 
clawed his way into an amazing undergraduate institution, graduated 
summa cum laude, and hoped that one day he would have a chance to go to 
medical school.
  Before DACA, that was a dream that was way too distant. Then came 
DACA. He looked around to see if any medical schools in the United 
States would let someone who was protected by DACA apply for medical 
school. It turned out there was one. I am proud to say it was Loyola 
University in Chicago, the Stritch School of Medicine. They didn't 
create a new category of students; they just said: We will let you 
compete. If you are good enough, we will admit you as a student.
  Over 30 DACA students became medical students at Loyola. Dr. Mejia 
was one. He is now about to finish, in a few weeks, the third year of 
his residency in emergency medicine. He has spent the last year and a 
half, as you can imagine, in emergency rooms saving the lives of so 
many people, particularly victims of COVID-19.
  How many times has each of us thanked the healthcare heroes, and how 
many times have we thought that one of them might have been an 
undocumented doctor whose future and fate are still so uncertain in 
America? That is the case today because the DREAM Act has not become 
the law of the land.
  So we had a hearing and discussed his situation and the bill that was 
sent to us by the House. I believe there is some bipartisan sentiment 
in favor of that, and I am trying to work to develop that into 
legislation that will finally give to Dr. Mejia and so many others 
across this country the future in America which they have all prayed 
for. They have worked hard to earn it. They deserve it.
  I am glad, at this hearing today, the doctor came and told this 
story. It is an inspiration to me and all who believe in this country 
that we should have justice when it comes to immigration.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________