CHICAGO — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a longtime champion of opening a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants, said Friday that the Obama administration's decision to stop many deportations offers thousands of people a future in America.

The Democrat from Illinois took up the cause 11 years ago after hearing the stories of illegal immigrants who grew up in America but could not get on with their lives because of the risk of deportation. Friday's executive order meets many of the goals of the DREAM Act, which has long been stalled by Republican opposition in Congress.

"This is an historic humanitarian moment in American history," Durbin said in Chicago. "It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to the world the values and caring of a great nation. And equally important, it gives to these young people ... a chance to be part of our future."