The Republicans, it seems, are determined to drive their respectability and electability into the ground. Three times last week, they pushed for votes on the DHS funding bill passed by the House, which unfortunately contains riders that would end DACA and DAPA — maximizing the deportations of DREAMers and immigrant parents. National security funding is too important to risk, but that’s where Senate Republicans are making their stand anyway. Republicans are currently tossing legislation like a hot potato between House and Senate leadership — but what they need to do is stop attacking immigrants and just pass a clean DHS funding bill already.
Sen. Richard Durbin has been taking to the Senate floor to lift up DACA stories — the successes of young immigrants across the nation who are living the American Dream because of executive action. Inexplicably, these are the young people whom the Republicans want to deport. Today, Sen. Durbin told the story of Herta Llusho, who was brought to the US from Albania when she was 11.
Herta grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, quickly learned English, and became an academic star. She graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School with a 4.05 grade point average. In high school, she was a member of the varsity track team, won an Advanced Placement Scholar Award, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Herta went on to the University of Detroit Mercy, and she graduated with a major in electrical engineering, with honors. While she was in college, she completed two internships at engineering companies. Herta has also been very involved in her community, volunteering at homeless shelters, tutoring programs, and her church.
After she received DACA, Herta was able to get a job, which allowed her to go back to school. Herta returned to the University of Detroit Mercy to obtain a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, with a specialization in robotics. During her master’s program, Herta was on the Dean’s List every semester and she received the “Student of the Year” award, as well as the “Thesis Award” for her master’s thesis.
In December 2014, Herta received her master’s degree. She is now working as an engineer at an energy company in Michigan. She also continues to volunteer at her church, where she runs a youth group.
In a letter to Senator Durbin, Herta wrote:
DACA has been life changing for me, because at a time when my life was at a standstill, DACA gave me a chance to continue my education and advancement the engineering field, so I can contribute to the country I call home.
Watch Sen. Durbin speaking about Herta below: