Featured Issue: Citizenship and Protections for Dreamers and Others Without Permanent Status
Many immigrants who lack permanent legal status have lived in the United States for years, investing in their communities and families, building businesses, and contributing billions to the economy. Polls show Americans support granting permanent legal status for unauthorized immigrants and people with temporary status. Four out of five (80%) of Americans support granting permanent legal status to Dreamers. AILA urges Congress to provide a path to citizenship for people who are undocumented or whose legal status is temporary.
On December 4, 2025, Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Murkowski (R-AK) reintroduced the Dream Act of 2025. In response, Executive Director Ben Johson said:
“At a time when immigration is often cast as a divisive issue, the American people are remarkably united: four out of five Americans believe Dreamers are part of the fabric of this nation and deserve a real path to citizenship. Congress and the President must seize this moment. Passing the Dream Act is not only the right thing to do; it is a critical first step toward providing long-overdue stability and dignity to people who have strengthened our communities and contributed to our country for years, yet still have no meaningful way to secure permanent legal status.”
AILA supports the following bills and urges Congress to introduce and enact them into law.
- The Dream Act of 2025 S.3348 - Durbin (D-IL) and Murkowski (R-AK)
- Read Senator Durbin’s press release on the bill’s reintroduction
- The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 H.R.1589 - Garcia (D-TX)
Protecting DACA and TPS Recipients
On June 15, 2012, DHS announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provided temporary protection from deportation (deferred action) for certain undocumented youth. Since its creation, DACA has protected over 830,000 people who are valued members of our communities and contribute to the strength of the nation. From day one, the DACA program was challenged in court and still hangs in the balance. The President should defend and expand DACA and other legal pathways to protect Dreamers and other populations who still do not have permanent status.
AILA urges President Trump to use executive branch authorities to protect and expand legal pathways for undocumented immigrants, DACA and TPS recipients, and others with a temporary status.
Browse the Featured Issue: Citizenship and Protections for Dreamers and Others Without Permanent Status collection
USCIS FAQs on Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
USCIS updated its Consideration for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process page on 6/15/15. The DACA FAQs were last updated on 3/10/15.
DOJ OIL July 2015 Litigation Bulletin
The DOJ OIL Immigration Litigation Bulletin for July 2015, with articles on Morales-Santana v. Lynch, Morales v. Chadbourne, and DACA, as well as summaries of circuit court decisions for July 2015.
AILA ICE Liaison Committee Meeting Q&As (6/19/15)
AILA ICE Liaison Committee questions and answers from the 6/19/15 liaison meeting with ICE, including information on DHS enforcement priorities, prosecutorial discretion, DACA, reinstatement of removal, orders of supervision, ICE interaction with DMVs, bond, biometrics, and family detention.
USCIS Provides DACA Renewal Tips
USCIS reminds stakeholders to request DACA renewal between 150 and 120 days before the expiration date listed on the current Form I-797 DACA approval notice and employment authorization document. Notice also includes filing tips for DACA renewals.
NY Supreme Court Says Undocumented Immigrant May Practice Law in New York
The court held that an undocumented immigrant who is authorized to be present in the U.S. under DACA and meets all other eligibility requirements governing admission to practice law in NY may satisfy the requisite good character standard. (Cesar Adrian Vargas, 2015 NY Slip Op 04657, 6/3/15)
AILA Quicktake #127: 5th Circuit Appeals Decides on Emergency Stay
American Immigration Council's Melissa Crow discusses the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to refuse to lift the emergency stay on President Obama's executive actions yesterday.
AILA: 5th Circuit Decision Disappointing But Not Surprising
AILA President Leslie A. Holman responded to today’s decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, saying: “It appeared early on that this particular panel of this particular court was unlikely to grant the stay. Thankfully though, this is far from the last word on the matter.”
Answering Questions from the Community
Monday night, the Princeton, New Jersey Human Services Commission hosted a program addressing President Obama's Executive Order on DACA and DAPA. The Princeton community has been out in front building bridges with immigrants that live in the municipality. The DACA/DAPA event was the most recent in
Another Kind of Obstacle Course
Interesting piece by Kristina Wong in The Hill last week (Army already enlisting ‘Dreamers' as Congress debates immigration) about 50 DACA recipients (“illegal immigrants“ as the author calls them) joining the United States military. The US military has long tapped skilled people to join its r
CRS Report on State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on state challenges to federal enforcement of immigration law, including historical precedents and pending litigation in Texas v. United States.
Q&As from AILA Joint Meeting with USCIS Verification and ICE HSI (4/16/15)
Q&As from AILA’s Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee meeting with USCIS Verification and ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on 4/16/15. Topics include: Form I-9, I-9 Central, RIDE, M&C inspections, and E-Verify issues.
AILA/USCIS HQ Liaison Q&As (4/16/15)
Official questions and answers from the 4/16/15 AILA liaison meeting with USCIS HQ. Topics include executive actions, DACA, DAPA, H-4 employment, delays in EAD issuance, FDNS site visits, misrepresentations made by minors, EB-2 I-140s for physical therapists, and the new preparer's declaration.
AILA Quicktake #124: Deferred Action Litigation Update
Patrick Taurel, American Immigration Council's DACA Legal Services Fellow, provides updates on two rulings made this week in Crane v. Johnson and Texas v. United States regarding President Obama's 2012 and 2014 deferred action programs.
CA5 Affirms Dismissal of Plaintiffs' Claims in DACA Case
The court held that Mississippi and ICE agents lacked standing to challenge DACA, because they failed to allege a sufficiently concrete and particularized injury, and that the DACA program is a valid exercise of prosecutorial discretion. (Crane v. Johnson, 4/7/15)
USCIS Message: Timing of DACA Renewal Applications
USCIS message on timing for filing DACA renewal applications, stating that on 3/27/15, USCIS began mailing renewal reminder notices to DACA recipients 180 days prior to the expiration date of their current period of DACA. Previously, these reminder notices were mailed 100 days in advance.
USCIS Alert Regarding Immigration Scams on Expanded DACA/DAPA
USCIS alert reminding stakeholders that due to a temporary injunction issued in Texas v. United States, USCIS has been prevented from accepting requests under the expanded DACA guidelines and suspended plans to accept requests for DAPA.
BIA Reopens and Administratively Closes Proceedings For DACA Recipient
Unpublished BIA decision grants joint motion to reopen and administratively close proceedings following grant of relief under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Serna, 4/2/15)
AILA Vote Recommendations to the Senate Budget Resolution
AILA urged Senators to vote against immigration amendments to the budget resolution that would present no solution on immigration, require unnecessary/excessive spending on border security, and interfere with Executive Branch’s clear legal authority to implement reforms to the immigration system.
USCIS Alert on Workload Transfer Within Service Center Operations
USCIS alert that effective 3/27/15, USCIS will transfer the adjudication of some cases to balance the overall workload. The affected cases include those filed with the following forms: I-129F, I-140, I-485, I-821D/I-765. The filing location and instructions for these forms will not change.
AILA Factsheet: Dispelling Myths about Advance Parole
Critics have alleged that DACA and DAPA and advance parole create a new path to citizenship for unauthorized persons. This AILA factsheet explains that only a small percentage of individuals who receive DACA or DAPA would be able to obtain green cards using advance parole.
AILA Notes from Liaison Teleconference with USCIS Customer Service (3/13/15)
AILA notes from a teleconference on 3/13/15 with the USCIS Customer Service and Public Engagement Directorate on issues related to myUSCIS, expanded DACA/DAPA, NCSC, ELIS, processing times, G-28 issues, and derivatives separation.
Ethical Questions for AILA Members Regarding Expanded DACA and DAPA Clients
AILA member and Ethics Committee Chair Cyrus Mehta answers ethical questions on clients who may qualify for expanded DACA and DAPA. For more information or additional questions, please email AILA’s Practice and Professionalism Center.
ICE: 11/20/14 Enforcement Priorities Memo Is in Effect
AILA has received confirmation that ERO officers and OPLA attorneys have been instructed that the DACA/DAPA injunction has no impact on the 11/20/14 enforcement priorities memo and that ICE personnel are continuing to process individuals and litigate removal cases consistent with the memo.
VOICE: March 2015
In the March 2015 VOICE, learn about pursuing one-parent SIJS, assuaging clients’ fears about DAPA, resisting the pressure to reduce your fees, preparing clients for marriage interviews, challenging improper G-28 rejections, and more!
AILA Quicktake #121: The Latest on Executive Action Litigation
In this Quicktake, Beth Werlin, Director of Policy at the American Immigration Council, joins to discuss the latest with the litigation in Texas on expanded DACA and DAPA.