Earlier this week, Sen. Dick Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about Father Rey Piñeda, a DACA recipient and Catholic priest.
Like Father Piñeda, the futures of Yuri and Valentina depend on the future of DACA, which could be undone on Day One of a Donald Trump Presidency.
Earlier today, Sen. Durbin shared Yuri and Valentina’s stories, their contributions to their communities and nation, and how he’ll fight to make sure they can stay in the only place they call home.
One of the #DREAMers contributing her talents to our country is Yuri: https://t.co/xO831gwimQ #SaveDACA pic.twitter.com/Cy0zWFftKC
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 30, 2016
When Yuri was only three years old, her family brought her to the US. She grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon & was an honor-roll student in HS
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 30, 2016
Yuri studied social work at @UPortland&is now a grad student at @UMich. She dreams of becoming a social worker&giving back to her community
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 30, 2016
Valentina is another #DREAMer who was brought to the US as a child – hear her #DACAstory here: https://t.co/XiAZRDTGOW #SaveDACA pic.twitter.com/ogBIFJfxyw
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 30, 2016
Valentina grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. A bright student, she now studies neuroepidemiology at @dartmouth & mentors children in her community
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 30, 2016
Let me say clearly to Yuri, Valentina & other #DREAMers like them: I’ll do everything in my power to #SaveDACA & stand up for DREAMers
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 30, 2016
In a Univision op-ed, Sen. Durbin wrote that “leaders cannot play politics with the lives of these young people—it would be an absolute tragedy to deport them to countries they no longer remember, where they may not even speak the language.”
“I will work to make sure that never happens,” Sen. Durbin concluded, “and I will fight to ensure that everyone who calls America home is treated with dignity and respect.”
