Senators Durbin and Harkin on Immigration Reform

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a town hall meeting on immigration reform at Ames Middle School. Participants included Iowans from the business, union, and faith sectors as well children who were brought into the U.S. illegally, who are also known as “dreamers.” "Dreamers" refers to the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Both senators discussed the need for comprehensive immigration reform and criticized controversial comments made by Representative Steve King, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, where the meeting was held. Senator Durbin, who authored the DREAM Act, said Representative King’s comments “do not reflect the reality of those eligible under the DREAM Act” and that the purpose of the meeting was to introduce the real feelings of how Iowans felt about immigration. close