“The legislation would also codify protections for those individuals who, through no fault of their own, entered the United States illegally as children and are currently covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program,” the release said on Friday.
DACA allowed undocumented immigrants, who were brought to the United States illegally as children and are known as "Dreamers," to stay and work in the United States. The Trump administration rescinded DACA, but a US court ruled in August the decision was unlawful and DACA must be fully reinstated.
Portman called the legislation "a fair and reasonable solution" that will allow for strengthening of US border security.
“This measure represents a permanent legislative solution that will allow those in the DACA program to stay here and continue to contribute to our society while strengthening our border security to protect all Americans,” Portman said.
READ MORE: Crisis on Southern Border Worse Than Expected, US Faces 'Invasion' — Trump
A disagreement between US President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats over funding for a wall on the US border with Mexico has resulted in a partial government shutdown, now in its 21st day. Trump is asking Congress to allocate $5.7 billion to construct the border wall, but Democrats have refused to provide funding. Some lawmakers have called for a compromise whereby the Democrats will provide the funds for the border wall in exchange for Trump accepting protections for "Dreamers" under DACA.