By: Ashmar Mandou

Several leaders in civic, business, and community organizations rallied at Erie Neighborhood House August 15th to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and to thank Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) for his commitment to DREAMers in passing comprehensive immigration reform. Senator Durbin is the original author of the “DREAM” Act, which provide promising undocumented youth with a pathway to legal status. Last year, President Obama’s executive order of DACA, which was modeled on Durbin’s DREAM Act, went into effect. Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House Celena Roldan also thanked Senator Durbin for his tireless work with creating more opportunities for undocumented youth. DACA recipient and student at Rauner College Prep Joanna Hernandez also thanked Senator Durbin and said the new status alleviated the pressure she felt prior to her new status.