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
AILA Quicktake #218: White House Immigration Priorities
AILA Director of Government Relations Greg Chen responds to the announced immigration priorities and principles set by the Trump administration. He discusses why the policies are harmful and how you can take action.
In the Midst of Chaos, Where is Our Lifeline?
Mother Nature hit Puerto Rico hard with Hurricane Maria. Regardless of the deadline for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals and irrespective of the need for immigration lawyers to respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Mother Nature wins out. But as immigration lawyers, we can't
S. 1937: Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act
On 10/5/17, Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced the Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act, which would provide young people who were brought to the U.S. as children the chance to adjust their status, along with increase border security and interior enforcement measures.
Practice Alert: DACA Renewals Must Be Physically Received by USCIS Today
AILA reminds members that DACA renewal applications must be physically received (not postmarked) by USCIS no later than today, 10/5/17 in order to be deemed timely filed. Late DACA requests from residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Senators Graham and Harris Urge the President to Extend DACA Deadline
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) wrote a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging him to extend the DACA renewal application deadline to 1/4/18. The Senators cited concerns with applicants ability to seek legal counsel, pay the fee before the 10/5/17 deadline, and more.
DHS Reminds Eligible DACA Recipients to File Renewal Requests
DHS reminds eligible DACA recipients that they have until 10/5/17 to properly file their renewal request. Of the 154,200 individuals whose DACA is set to expire between 9/5/17 and 3/5/18, just over 100,000 have renewal requests currently pending with USCIS or have already been adjudicated.
CHC Letter to DHS Secretary Elaine Duke on DACA Renewal Deadline
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) urged DHS to extend the DACA renewal deadline to 1/5/18 due to nearly a third of those eligible to renew having not submitted their renewals as of 9/27/17. They also requested DHS to provide guidance to ICE and CBP to ensure DACA recipients are not targeted.
AILA Statement to Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on End of DACA
AILA submitted a statement to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for a hearing on “Oversight of the Administration’s Decision to End Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.” AILA urges members of Congress to call for an immediate vote on the Dream Act, extend the DACA renewal deadline, and more.
USCIS Reminder: Deadline To Submit DACA Renewal Requests Approaching
USCIS issued a reminder regarding the 10/5/17 deadline for DACA recipients to properly file renewal requests and associated applications for employment authorization. These requests must be properly filed and physically received by the agency at the proper filing location no later than 10/5/17.
AILA Member Talking Points on the SUCCEED Act
AILA members may find these Talking Points useful if asked by the media about the SUCCEED Act.
AILA Quicktake #216: SUCCEED Act
AILA Director of Government Relations Greg Chen shares details of the SUCCEED Act, an effort to provide a permanent solution for Dreamers, which was introduced by Senators Tillis, Lankford, and Hatch.
S. 1852: SUCCEED Act
On 9/25/17, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the SUCCEED Act, which would provide young people who were brought to the U.S. as children the chance to adjust their status, if they meet certain requirements.
Democratic Senators’ Request for Extension of DACA Renewal Deadline
On 9/25/17, 38 Democratic senators sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke requesting an extension of the 10/5/17 deadline for DACA renewals due to several major hurricanes that made landfall in the United States.
Risk vs. Uncertainty: Advising and Advocating in the New Paradigm
While listening to a Freakonomics podcast recently focusing on John Urschel's abrupt decision to retire from the NFL., I was intrigued by the discussion of how we make decisions in the face of risk versus uncertainty. By way of explanation, the introduction to the piece asks how it is possible we ha
Representatives Coffman and Gutierrez Request Technical Fixes for DACA Participants
On 9/18/17, Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) sent a letter to DHS and USCIS requesting a series of technical fixes to the process of ending the DACA program.
DACA Recipients File Lawsuit Challenging DACA Rescission
Several DACA recipients filed a lawsuit asking the district court to enjoin the rescission of the DACA program and the use of information obtained pursuant to the DACA program for immigration enforcement purposes, except as previously authorized. (Garcia v. Trump, 9/18/17)
DHS Notice of Availability of DACA Rescission Memo
DHS notice that the 9/5/17 memo rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is available on the DHS website. (82 FR 43556, 9/18/17)
Deal or No Deal: Where Does DACA Stand?
If you're like me, you may be feeling some whiplash in terms of where things stand regarding a legislative fix for Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Between the multiple bills that have been introduced or are about to be introduced, conflicting statements (and twee
Facing the Pro Bono Challenge Head On – One Perspective
Pro bono work is important. But, maybe keeping your practice afloat while following your conscience to increase your pro bono work is something you struggle with, too. Thinking outside the box of pro bono can help you figure out what YOU can do.
American Council on Education Urges Congress to Protect Dreamers
On 9/12/17, the American Council on Education (ACE), represented 77 other organizations in a sign-on letter to congressional leadership. The organizations urged Congress to pass legislation protecting Dreamers as soon as possible.
USCIS Provides Chart Explaining DACA Rescission Announcement
USCIS provides a chart explaining the 2017 DACA rescission announcement and what it means for the different groups of impacted individuals.
California and Three Other States File Lawsuit Challenging DACA Rescission
California, together with Maine, Maryland, and Minnesota, filed a lawsuit asking the district court to enjoin the government from rescinding DACA and from using information obtained in DACA applications and renewal requests for immigration enforcement purposes. (California v. DHS, 9/11/17)
Former Education Secretaries Condemn DACA Repeal
On 9/8/17, five former Secretaries of Education under the Obama, Bush, and Clinton administrations wrote a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership condemning the repeal of DACA. They implored Congress to quickly act to protect DACA recipients by passing the Dream Act as soon as possible.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Condemns Ending of DACA
On 9/8/17, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) released a statement following President Trump’s decision to end DACA. The agency called it “a step backward for our country…. [and] a tremendous blow to the personal dreams and ambitions that DREAMers have been working towards.”
CRS Legal Sidebar: The End of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program
The Congressional Research Service provides a Legal Sidebar on the immediate takeaways from the 9/5/17 announcement that the DACA program would be phased out over a six-month period.