Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced Monday he would support legislation protecting illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children if President Donald Trump gives Congress time to find a legislative option before rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Graham made the announcement following reports Trump intends to declare Tuesday he will end DACA, which protects the undocumented immigrants, but delay its cancellation for six months to give Congress the opportunity to come up with a legislative solution.
Former President Barack Obama was criticized in 2012 when he initiated DACA through a policy memorandum and not via Congress.
Some 800,000 people are protected by DACA, a small percentage of the 11 million illegal immigrants estimated to live in the United States, according to Politico.
"If President Trump chooses to cancel the DACA program and give Congress six months to find a legislative solution, I will be supportive of such a position," Graham said in a statement. "I have always believed DACA was a presidential overreach. However, I equally understand the plight of the Dream Act kids who – for all practical purposes – know no other country than America."
Graham has already introduced bipartisan legislation, along with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to legalize those protected under DACA, the Washington Examiner reported.
Graham also participated in a failed effort in 2013 to provide a path to citizenship for those living in the country illegally.
Fellow Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., also came out in support of fixing DACA through legislation, saying "It is right for there to be consequences for those who intentionally entered this country illegally. However, we as Americans do not hold children legally accountable for the actions of their parents."
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