The “Home is Here” campaign led a national press conference today in the nation's capital to commemorate the upcoming 13th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) provides protection from deportation to undocumented immigrants who entered the country during their childhood. The program has served more than 800,000 young people.

Dozens of immigrant youth, allies, and Home is Here leaders drew attention to the glaring red flags that indicate DACA’s future is in jeopardy.

Joining the Dreamers at the press conference were Senate Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (Illinois), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration; and Co-Chairs Congresswomen Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) and Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), both affiliated with the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act.

The national coalition of organizations united under “Home is Here” is fighting to protect DACA recipients, their families, and all immigrant communities before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Amid deliberate efforts to sow fear and chaos, including a militarized response to communities in Los Angeles, the 13th anniversary of DACA is a strident alarm: millions of people have been denied any basic chance of accessing permanent—and in some cases even temporary—status in this country, despite the overwhelming popularity of a path to citizenship.

Participants at the press conference renewed their call for Congress to guarantee protections for Dreamers.

DACA recipients, legislators, and leaders of pro-immigrant organizations joined forces to defend Dreamers and demand that they be guaranteed an immigration status that protects them from detention and deportation.

“As we approach the 13th anniversary of DACA, this moment reminds us that immigrants are an integral part of this country. This is our home, and we urge Congress to do what we know is possible and popular among the vast majority of Americans: provide a pathway to citizenship now,” said Adrien, a Dreamer.

Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, stated, “For 13 years, DACA has been an extraordinary success for the entire country, clearly demonstrating why the process for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status must remain our primary long-term goal. Nearly one million people are able to live, work, and contribute openly to the only country they have called home because of DACA. It is long past time for Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution that provides certainty to DACA recipients, Dreamers, their families, and the country that depends on them.”

Senator Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration of the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated: “This week, just as we should be celebrating the 13th anniversary of DACA, I understand the fear of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, who feel even more at risk. In addition to being our neighbors and loved ones, Dreamers are our teachers and caregivers, nurses and doctors, small business owners and construction workers who pay taxes like the rest of us. We must pass the Dream Act to provide permanent protections for Dreamers, who contribute so much to our country and our economy, finally giving them the peace of mind they deserve.”

Senator Dick Durbin is leading the movement to sign Barack Obama’s executive order into law.

“They have visited our schools, gotten up every morning in the classroom and pledged allegiance to the same flag we do, and they aspire to be great and make America better,” Durbin (D-Ill.) said at a press conference Wednesday.

“Now, in their 13th year of waiting, We lawmakers must honor the Dreamers' patience, keep our promises, and ultimately provide them with a path to citizenship. I will continue to fight for them and urge my Republican colleagues to join me,” Durbin said.which clearly demonstrates why the process for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status must remain our primary long-term goal. Nearly one million people can live, work, and contribute openly to the only country they have called home thanks to DACA. It is long past time for Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution that provides certainty to DACA recipients, Dreamers, their families, and the country that depends on them.” Senator Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration Subcommittee, stated: “This week, just as we should be celebrating the 13th anniversary of DACA, I understand the fear of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, who feel even more at risk. In addition to being our neighbors and loved ones, Dreamers are our teachers and caregivers, nurses and doctors, small business owners, and construction workers who pay taxes like the rest of us. We must pass the Dream Act to provide permanent protections for Dreamers, who contribute so much to our country and our economy, finally giving them the peace of mind they deserve.”

Senator Dick Durbin is leading the charge to sign Barack Obama’s executive order into law.

“They have visited our schools, woken up in our classrooms every morning and pledged allegiance to the same flag we do, and they aspire to be great and make America better,” Durbin (D-Ill.) said at a press conference Wednesday.

“Now, in their 13th year of waiting, we lawmakers must honor the Dreamers’ patience, keep our promises, and finally provide them with a path to citizenship. I will continue to fight for them and urge my Republican colleagues to join me,” Durbin said.