McCain Boosts Hurd Plan to Protect `dreamers' and Enhance Border Security Without The Wall

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain threw his weight Monday behind a plan from West Texas Rep. Will Hurd that would protect young immigrants and beef up border security -- adding momentum to a bipartisan bill that has emerged as the main alternative to a draconian push from the White House.With the DACA program set to expire in a month, and the issue looming over budget talks, urgency has been growing to address the issue.McCain partnered with Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., in backing the "narrow approach" proposed by Hurd, a San Antonio-area Republican, and Rep. Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat.The House bill, the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, has 27 Republican and 27 Democratic backers. It would end the threat of deportation looming over 700,000 or more young immigrants, including about 125,000 in Texas."Our legislation, which already has broad support in the House of Representatives, would address the most urgent priorities of protecting Dreamers, strengthening border security, alleviating the backlog in immigration courts, and addressing the root causes of illegal immigration," McCain said in a statement.  Continue reading...