There are signs that the pressure campaign — both public and private — to ensure Dreamers can work and stay and work in the United States is influencing the mercurial Trump.

In their first private meeting after his election, Obama repeatedly impressed upon Trump the value of the Dreamers who’ve benefited from DACA. It was one reason why their 90-minute meeting ran so long, according to Durbin, who said Obama had relayed that account to him and other Democrats.

“I’ve been encouraged because they have been making an exception for Dreamers with DACA,” Durbin, who has made rescuing Dreamers his top priority since Trump’s surprise election, said Tuesday. “Until we get the proper legislation passed, I’m going to be worried. But these statements make me feel better.”

Josh Gerstein contributed to this report.