“For more than nine years, DREAMers have watched courts and politicians debate whether they’ll be allowed to stay in the only country many of them have ever known. It’s long past time for Congress to act and give them the protection and certainty they deserve,” said former President Barack Obama to ABC News.

Obama is correct: It is time to provide relief to longtime undocumented residents. I propose protecting those who have been here since at least June 15, 2007 (the DACA entry date).

The best, simplest, approach is for Congress to make a small fix to section 249(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act by replacing the embedded, obsolete Reagan-era entry date “January 1, 1972” therein with June 15, 2007. This path to lawful permanent residence could be quickly passed on a tiny stand-alone bill.

Robert Kim Bingham Sr.

Retired ICE Attorney

Salem