Flake, Heitkamp Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Extend DACA Protections and Improve Border Security

Statement

U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would extend Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protections for three years and provide $7.6 billion to fully fund the first three years of the administration's border security proposal. With the program deadline fast approaching, this bill will provide a temporary solution for the thousands of DACA recipients facing potential deportation.

"I'll be the first to admit this "three-for-three' approach is far from a perfect solution, but it would provide a temporary fix by beginning the process of improving border security and ensuring DACA recipients will not face potential deportation," said Flake. "The Senate may not have been able to deliver a permanent solution to these problems, but we cannot abdicate the responsibility of Congress to solve them. There are many people whose lives and well-being depend on our ability to deliver meaningful results."

"To actually pass legislation that strengthens our borders and fixes our broken immigration system, we have to put partisan differences aside and work together," said Heitkamp. "North Dakota and Arizona lay on different borders, but Senator Flake and I share the desire to strengthen border security while also protecting those who were brought to this country through no fault of their own. While this is not the permanent fix that we -- and many of our colleagues -- would like to see, this is a bipartisan path forward that would fund significant security improvements at our borders and allow Congress to continue to work toward a long-term solution for DREAMers."

Background:

On Feb. 19, 2018, Flake published an op-ed on this "three-for-three" proposal. To read it, click here.

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