06/02/2026
Last week, Illinois legislators had the opportunity to honor the remarkable legacy of Senator Dick Durbin and his more than 40 years of public service representing Illinois.
I was especially grateful to welcome Senator Durbin's office and highlight our partnership on HB 4890, my bill that helps ensure detained immigrant youth in Illinois have a pathway to legally stay in this country rather than being forced to accept voluntary departure.
It was especially noteworthy that during his speech to the Illinois legislature, Senator Durbin reflected on being the son of a Lithuanian immigrant. His mother arrived in this country at the age of 2, as her mother was in search of opportunity, without wealth, without connections, and without speaking English. Like so many immigrant families, they faced uncertainty and doubt—but through courage and determination, they built a life and helped strengthen the very fabric of our nation.
That story feels deeply personal.
As the daughter of an immigrant mother who once lived without legal status, I know firsthand the sacrifices immigrant families make in pursuit of a better future. It is what inspired me to become an immigration attorney, to fight for the labor rights of immigrant workers, to help establish Welcoming Centers that connect new arrivals with critical resources, and now, as a legislator, to advance policies that protect immigrant communities from efforts to divide, dehumanize, and exclude them.
Senator Durbin's leadership helped shape some of the most significant immigrant rights moments of our time, from championing the DREAM Act to supporting the young people who envisioned and fought for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which has allowed hundreds of thousands of young people to work, study, and contribute to the only country many of them have ever known.
Immigrants are not a threat to the American story—they are the American story. Their courage, resilience, and contributions have built our communities and continue to make our country stronger every day.
Thank you, Senator Durbin, for a lifetime of service and for never stopping the fight for a more welcoming and just America.
