A group of Senate Democrats is urging President Joe Biden to take immediate action to protect immigrant families in the final weeks of his presidency, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month.
Led by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, the senators expressed deep concern over the potential threats posed by the incoming Trump administration. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers warned that Trump’s proposed mass deportations could “jeopardize the safety and security” of millions of families, create widespread fear in communities, and destabilize the U.S. economy.
“As Senators representing diverse states and millions of immigrant families, we urge you to act decisively in the final days of your presidency to protect vulnerable communities,” Durbin wrote. The letter was signed by Democratic Senators Cory Booker (New Jersey), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (New Mexico), and Alex Padilla (California).
The group emphasized that time is running out for the Biden administration to finalize key immigration policies before Trump’s inauguration. They called for specific actions, including redesignating and extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for countries affected by dangerous conditions. TPS allows migrants from these countries to live legally in the U.S. The senators also urged Biden to expedite processing for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children who are currently protected from deportation.
This push comes as Trump has made it clear that immigration policy will be a priority during his presidency. Throughout his campaign, Trump vowed to enact sweeping changes, targeting both unauthorized and legal immigrants with strict measures. In a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump reiterated his plan to end birthright citizenship on his first day in office and carry out mass deportations, starting with criminals.
When asked if it was possible to deport everyone in the U.S. illegally, Trump responded, “You have no choice.” He explained that deportations would begin with those convicted of crimes, but he also emphasized that the process would evolve over time.
Trump also addressed DACA recipients, or “Dreamers,” stating he would work with Democrats to create a solution. Despite his stated willingness to cooperate, Republican-led states have filed numerous lawsuits against DACA, and efforts to codify the program have stalled for over a decade.
On the broader issue of immigrant families, Trump said he does not want to “break up families,” but added, “the only way you don’t break up the family is to keep them together, and you have to send them all back.”
In their letter, the Senate Democrats acknowledged the importance of border security but made clear they would oppose any policies that contradict the nation’s core values, particularly those that harm immigrant communities.
As the Biden administration nears its end, the senators are urging swift action to secure protections for immigrant families before Trump takes office.
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