Democrats and immigration activists gathered on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that would grant pathways to citizenship for illegal immigrants who were brought to the US as children, as well as protect Temporary Protected Status holders. The action came in response to the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) being created under the Obama administration.

As part of a nationwide day of action by the Home is Here campaign, activists and immigrants met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, delivering signed petitions urging them to pass a pair of laws aimed at expanding pathways to citizenship, the Dream Act and the American Dream and Promise Act.

“As part of a nationwide Day of Action hosted by the Home is Here campaign, advocates, impacted immigrants, and allies spent the morning meeting with Members of Congress, delivering thousands of petition signatures collected from constituents nationwide urging them to pass the Dream Act and the Dream & Promise Act,” a press release stated. “The day culminated with a rally at Upper Senate Park where impacted communities, labor leaders, and more shared about the administration’s broadening efforts to delegalize millions of people by eroding programs like DACA, TPS, humanitarian parole and more, and its far-reaching consequences on workers, employers, families, and our country’s economy.

The Dream Act, introduced into the Senate by Senator Dick Durbin in December, would give illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children permanent resident status on a conditional basis, and an eventual pathway to citizenship. The American Dream and Promise Act was introduced in February of 2025 by Rep. Sylvia Garcia in the House, and is a broader bill that expands those provisions for those with Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure.

Durbin said in a statement, “Now in their 14th year of waiting, it’s time for Congress to honor the Dreamers’ patience and persistence, act on our promises, and provide them with a pathway to citizenship. Only Congress can give Dreamers the stability they crave and deserve. The time to pass the Dream Act is now. In the face of this Administration’s heartless actions, Congress must finally act to protect these young people who know no other home than here. This is a matter of simple American fairness and justice.”

Senator Alex Padilla said, “On the 14th Anniversary of President Obama creating DACA, we’re reminded that, in spite of their many contributions to America, millions of people are still living in uncertainty and fear of deportation because Congress refuses to take action to grant them citizenship. While the Trump Administration targets immigrant communities across the country, we must work to ensure every Dreamer knows that they belong in this country that they call home. The American Dream is meant for all, and we must continue fighting for protections for all Dreamers by creating a pathway to citizenship through passing the Dream Act.”