Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., is preparing a bill that would extend the March 5 deadline for reaching a deal to protect Dreamers, or immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children.
President Trump set the deadline as he announced the rescission of the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. While the administration has indicated it would not target DACA participants for immigration enforcement while Congress considers a way to create a new program, some lawmakers are worried that once the deadline passes, these immigrants may be more at risk of facing deportation.
Flake wasn’t specific, but in a meeting with reporters, he said he is mulling a way to stretch the deadline, “if it comes to that,” according to Politico.
Still, he said any need for his bill would show Congress is still struggling to deliver a permanent fix.
“This has been far too long for us and others to wait. But I do think, in the end, they would take that,” he said of his possible bill.
It’s not entirely clear that there is anything to extend. Trump administration officials believe the program is already gone, and have indicated that missing the deadline would not put DACA recipients at any greater risk for deportation that they face today.
Flake also said he is preparing a more “fulsome” plan to address Trump’s policy demands on immigration that will include status for those illegal immigrants who were previously protected under DACA, restrictions on chain migration, a ban on the diversity visa lottery, and increased border security funds.
