In case you're keeping score, we're two government shutdowns deep, and still no deal on DACA.
After a brief shutdown last night, Congress passed another temporary budget resolution to fund the federal government through March 23. But unless a new immigration deal is reached, the DACA program, which protects about 700,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation, is set to expire March 5.
Leading up to the latest budget deal, Democrat and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi staged a record-breaking 8-hour speech on the floor of the House of Representatives urging Congress to vote on immigration reform to protect DACA recipients, or "Dreamers."
Update: Eight hours later, Nancy Pelosi is still reading statements from Dreamers in a marathon speech in support of #DACA. #DACAbuster https://t.co/RGAYYQi0gD
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) February 7, 2018
During last month's government shutdown, Democrats had negotiated with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a Congressional debate on immigration this month. But while President Trump indicated last month that he was open to a deal on DACA, his insistence that it include funding for a wall and an end to chain migration and visa lottery systems may have stalled bipartisan talks.
DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don’t really want it, they just want to talk and take desperately needed money away from our Military.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018
I, as President, want people coming into our Country who are going to help us become strong and great again, people coming in through a system based on MERIT. No more Lotteries! #AMERICA FIRST
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018
With the DACA program's expiration date fast approaching, many young, undocumented immigrants are speaking up and calling for a clean DREAM Act now, sharing photos of themselves at the age they came to the U.S.
I was 5 years old and it has been 18 years. #CleanDreamAct pic.twitter.com/nVTon8KIfR
— Joce (@joce_mons) February 9, 2018
I was turning 7, and its been 14 years. 2/3's of my life. #CleanDreamAct #CleanDreamActNow pic.twitter.com/yu2rY65vw3
— Zeus (@jesusnzamudi03) February 7, 2018
I was 1 year old and it has been almost 18 years. #CleanDreamActNow #CleanDreamAct pic.twitter.com/KIqziCfsUV
— ana △⃒⃘ (@anabloonana) February 7, 2018