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
Democratic Leader Pelosi Encourages Speaker Ryan To Discuss Comprehensive Legislative Solution
On 9/1/17, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wrote a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), agreeing that Congress should act and urging him to meet with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other House Democratic leaders to discuss a comprehensive legislative solution for Dreamers.
Republican House Members Call on Speaker Ryan to Find a Solution for Dreamers
On 9/1/17, ten Republicans House members sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) encouraged him to find a legislative solution to protect DACA recipients.
Screening Potential DACA Requestors for Other Forms of Relief
This American Immigration Council Practice Advisory is designed to assist attorneys in determining whether individuals seeking Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) might be eligible for immigration benefits that are more lasting and concrete than DACA.
Senator Hatch Calls on Trump to Protect DACA
On 9/1/17, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) released a press statement urging President Trump to protect DACA. The Senator also urged Congress to come together and pursue a meaningful immigration reform that will secure our borders, provide a workable path forward for Dreamers, more.
TN Attorney General Calls on Senators to Support the Dream Act
On 9/1/17, Tennessee Attorney General, Herbert Slatery, wrote to Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), stating that he will not sue over DACA, and urges the senators to take legislative action to protect Dreamers.
Representatives Espaillat and Kilhuen Urge President Trump to Reconsider DACA Decision
On 8/31/17, Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Ruben J. Kihuen (D-NV) wrote a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider his decision to end DACA.
AILA Quicktake #213: DACA, SB 4, and Congressional Preview
AILA Director of Government Relations Greg Chen shares the latest on DACA, explains what the SB 4 injunction means, and looks at what to expect next week when Congress is back in session.
Practice Pointer: DACA Under Threat
The DACA program is currently in jeopardy due to two looming legal threats – U.S. v. Texas and Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Brewer. This practice pointer explains the uncertainty surrounding the program under the Trump administration and these legal threats.
Republican Members of Congress Call on the President To Protect Dreamers
On 8/22/17, six Republican members of Congress called on President Trump to maintain the protections of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for the current recipients. They also called on the President to support the Recognizing America’s Children Act (H.R. 1468).
Protesting and Immigration – Know Your Rights
Today, President Trump will hold a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, where it is rumored he may pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. President Trump has historically supported Mr. Arpaio and praised his tough stance on immigration and Mr. Arpaio has requited this sentiment, acting as an early
Dream On
Today marks the five year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that has provided vital relief to hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who came to the United States as children. I wish we could jubilantly celebrate and toast to this half-decade milestone. Inst
Sign-On Letter from Law Scholars Urges Trump to Preserve DACA
On 8/14/17, a group of 104 law scholars sent a letter to President Trump on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has come under attack in recent weeks.
Democratic House Members Call on the President to Protect Dreamers
On 8/1/17, Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) along with a group of 154 House Democrats called on President Trump to maintain and legally defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
USCIS Provides Data on DACA Recipients in the Military
USCIS provided data on DACA recipients serving in the military as of July 31, 2017, including data on those who have self-reported a change in their status to indicate naturalization. There are approximately 820 individuals recruited via the MAVNI Pilot Program.
AILA: House Bills Give Hope to Dreamers, but DACA Still in Danger
AILA praised the Dream Act of 2017 and the American Hope Act introduced in the House, both of which “would provide young people, who were brought to this country as children and grew up in the United States, the chance to apply for lawful permanent residence, and eventually apply for citizenship.”
H.R. 3591: American Hope Act of 2017
On 7/28/17, Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced the American Hope Act of 2017, which would provide young people, who were brought to this country as children and grew up in the United States, the chance to apply for lawful permanent residence. The bill has over 110 cosponsors.
Democratic Senators Call on President Trump to Protect Dreamers
On 7/27/17, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) and Minority Whip Dick Durbin (IL) along with 40 Democratic senators called on President Trump to protect Dreamers by using his executive authority to the greatest extent possible to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
H.R. 3440: Dream Act of 2017
On 7/26/17, Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced the House version of the Dream Act of 2017, which would provide young people who were brought to the U.S. as children, the chance to apply for LPR status, if they meet certain requirements.
Twenty Attorneys General Ask President Trump to Keep DACA Program
Attorneys general from 19 states and DC sent a letter to President Trump urging him to maintain and defend the DACA program, stating, “We urge you to affirm America’s values and tradition as a nation of immigrants and make clear that you will not only continue DACA, but that you will defend it.”
A Righteous Act
Lately, I have been thinking about the word “righteous“ and its application to our immigration laws. Is it righteous to deport hardworking parents, separate families and engage in mass deportation? Is it righteous to strip people of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Action for Child
AILA Welcomes Bipartisan Dream Act of 2017; Calls on Congress and the Administration to Protect Dreamers
AILA welcomes the introduction of the Dream Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill authored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin, that would provide young people who were brought to the U.S. as children a chance to apply for lawful permanent residence if they meet certain requirements.
AILA Quicktake #210: Dream Act of 2017 Introduced
AILA Director of Government Relations Greg Chen shares why the Dream Act of 2017, introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Dubrin, is important. He also discusses details of the bill and what AILA members can do.
Section by Section of the Dream Act of 2017
Section-by-section of the Dream Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL).
S. 1615: Dream Act of 2017
On 7/20/17, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017, which would provide young people who were brought to this country as children and grew up in the U.S., the chance to apply for lawful permanent residence, if they meet certain requirements.
USCIS Provides PowerPoint Presentations from NSC Stakeholder Open House
USCIS provides the PowerPoint presentations from the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) open house on 7/18/17. USCIS discussed the types of cases processed at NSC, DACA requests, and the production of travel and employment authorization documents, as well as Form I-9, E-Verify, and the SAVE program.