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 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.
Executive Disorder: Ethical Challenges for Immigration Lawyers under the Trump Administration
While it was impossible to predict just how rough things would get, this article discusses ethical rules to consider when your client comes under attack and you must practice more defensively. Read this article from AILA’s PPC to reaffirm the rules and practices you should be implementing.
Ten States Sent Letter to DOJ Requesting End to DACA Program
Texas and nine other states sent a letter to the DOJ, requesting that DACA be phased out and that DHS rescind the 6/15/12 DACA memo and not renew or issue any new DACA or expanded DACA permits. If not, the letter states that the states will amend their litigation to challenge the DACA program.
EOIR Issues Memo on Noting DACA Eligibility in Decisions
Obtained via FOIA by Hoppock Law Firm, EOIR stated that although DHS has not at this time terminated the DACA program, this memorandum serves to rescind the guidance contained in BIA 12-05 regarding inclusion of a footnote referring to possible DACA eligibility. Special thanks to Matthew Hoppock.
Guardians of our Constitution
Adapted from the installation speech of Annaluisa Padilla, 2017-18 President of AILA
AILA Presents Nora Elizabeth Phillips with the 2017 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award
AILA will recognize Nora Elizabeth Phillips, of Los Angeles, CA, with the 2017 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award, for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field, this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
DHS Rescission of Memorandum Providing for Deferred Action for Parents of American and Lawful Permanent Residents (“DAPA”)
DHS press release stating that the 11/20/14 memorandum that created DAPA and provided expanded work authorization has been rescinded because “there is no credible path forward to litigate the currently enjoined policy.” The 6/15/12 memorandum that created the DACA program will remain in effect.
DHS FAQs on the Rescission of the DAPA Memorandum
DHS provided FAQs on the rescission of the 6/20/14 memorandum that provided deferred action for parents of American and lawful permanent residents (DAPA).
DHS Memo Rescinding Memo Providing DAPA and Expansion of DACA
DHS issued a memo from Secretary John F. Kelly stating that due to the preliminary injunction, ongoing litigation, the fact that DAPA never took effect, and new immigration enforcement priorities, the 11/20/14 memo providing for DAPA has been rescinded. The 6/15/12 memo remains in effect.
Federal Judge Reinstates Georgia Woman's DACA Status
A federal judge in Georgia ordered the DACA status of Jessica Colotl, whose status had been terminated, to be reinstated pending reconsideration by USCIS, finding that the government failed to present evidence that it had complied with its own procedures. (Colotl v. Kelly, 6/12/17)
DHS Statement on Former DACA Recipient Juan Manuel Montes-Bojorquez
DHS issued a statement regarding Juan Manuel Montes-Bojorquez, who was removed to Mexico on 2/20/17. DHS stated that he had been approved for DACA but lost his status when he left the United Stated without advance parole prior to his arrest by the U.S. Border Patrol on 2/19/17.
AILA/USCIS Meeting Questions and Answers (4/6/17)
Q&As from the 4/6/17 liaison meeting with AILA and USCIS HQ. Topics include executive orders on immigration, attorney representation issues, H-1B validity periods, ACICS, FCCPT, visa revocation, CSPA, and more.
AILA ICE Liaison Committee Meeting Q&As (4/6/17)
Official Q&As from the 4/6/17 AILA liaison meeting with ICE. Topics include information on staffing and organizational updates, enforcement memos, directives, prosecutorial discretion, detention, bond, detainers, parole, DACA, VOICE, and post order issues.