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 FOIA Response with Guidance Related to Emergency Advance Parole
In response to AILA’s FOIA request, USCIS provides a portion of the USCIS CHAP (Policy Manual), last updated in March 2017, that includes guidance on emergency advance parole and advance parole in general. Please note USCIS no longer approves advance parole requests relating to DACA cases.
BIA Reopens Proceedings for DACA Grantee
Unpublished BIA decision reopens proceedings for DACA grantee who was married to a U.S. citizen and was the beneficiary of an approved visa petition. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Villagrana-Robles, 3/27/17)
USCIS PowerPoint Presentation on the Case Inquiry Process for DACA Renewals
USCIS provided a PowerPoint presentation with an overview of customer service tools and mechanisms to submit an inquiry about a DACA renewal case. This included a summary of the process to create online accounts, how to submit case status inquiries, and how to escalate a case inquiry with USCIS.
Practice Alert: Advising Clients on the Future of DACA
AILA provides a practice alert outlining issues members should take into consideration when advising clients or potential clients on the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative under the Trump administration.
H.R. 1468: Recognizing America’s Children Act
On 3/9/17, Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) introduced the Recognizing America’s Children Act (H.R. 1468), which would allow young people who were brought to this country as children and grew up in the U.S. to adjust their status. The bill has 18 Republican cosponsors.
Reactions to the President’s Joint Address to Congress
Several members of AILA's Executive Committee share their reactions to President Trump's Joint Address to Congress on February 28, 2017: “We agree that we have to restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders, and especially to the agencies responsible for enforcing that law. The record of di
AIM: Fighting for In-State Tuition
In February's AILA Interview of the Month, AILA Past President Charles Kuck provides an update on his lawsuit in Georgia, which pushes for DACA recipients' rights to in-state tuition, and shares why he took the case.
CRS Report with FAQs on the DACA/DAPA Deferred Action Initiatives
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides answers to frequently asked questions about the DACA and DAPA initiatives. Cumulatively, through 9/30/16, USCIS approved more than 750,000 initial DACA requests and more than 580,000 renewal requests.
DHS Statement on Arrest of DACA Recipient in Washington State
DHS released a statement on the arrest of DACA-recipient Daniel Ramirez-Medina by ICE in Washington State. The statement indicates that 1,500 DACA recipients have had their deferred action terminated due to criminal conviction, gang affiliation, or a criminal conviction related to gang affiliation.
Documents Related to Habeas Corpus Petition Filed by DACA Recipient in Washington
Documents related to a habeas corpus petition filed in Medina v. DHS, a case involving a DACA recipient in Washington State who was arrested and taken into custody by ICE agents. The arrest occurred at the home of the DACA recipient’s father, for whom ICE had an arrest warrant.
Law Student Perspective: An Indiana Law Student’s Perspective of a Pence-Influenced Immigration Policy
AILA law student member Kristen Coffey offers her insight on upcoming changes to immigration policy under the Trump/Pence administration.
Draft Presidential Executive Order: Ending Unconstitutional Executive Amnesties
A leaked version of a presidential Executive order, dated 1/23/17, titled Executive Order Ending Unconstitutional Executive Amnesties. Disclaimer: this is draft only and this Executive Order has not been signed by the President.
Practice Alert: Clarification on Advance Parole Documents for DACA Recipients
In response to concerns raised by AILA’s NSC Liaison Committee, the NSC clarified new language concerning the parole period for travel on Form I-512L for DACA recipients who applied for advance parole. An example I-512L document with this language is included.
Sign-On Letter to President-Elect Trump Regarding DACA
On 1/18/17, AILA and 867 other national, state, and local religious, civil rights, ethnic, and immigration rights organizations asked President-Elect Trump to continue DACA.
USCIS Provides Guidance for Fee Exemptions for Form I-765 with DACA Requests
USCIS provides guidance for filing for an exemption from the filing fee for a Form I-765 when filed with a request for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Why All the Worry Over Senator Sessions as Attorney General?
The veterans among us know all too well the vast power that the Attorney General of the United States (AG) has in immigration matters, but for those who are new to the practice of immigration law, or just interested members of the press or public, here is a primer on the power of this office […
CA7 Says Parent of Three U.S. Citizen Children Not Eligible to Seek Deferred Action
The court dismissed the petition for review, holding that because DHS “is committed to the ruling by the Fifth Circuit in Texas v. United States” which upheld a preliminary injunction against the implementation of DAPA, the petition was moot. (Robledo-Soto v. Lynch, 1/10/17)
Georgia State Court Finds DACA Students Can Pay In-State Tuition in Georgia
The court ordered members of the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents to apply the federal definition of “lawful presence” as it relates to students who are DACA recipients and to grant them in-state tuition status. Special thanks to Charles Kuck. (Hernandez v. Alford, 12/30/16)
Secretary Johnson Letter to the Congress on Safeguarding DACA Applicant Information
DHS Secretary Johnson sent a 12/30/16 letter to Congress regarding the use of personal identifying info of DACA applicants, stating, “DHS has consistently made clear that information… would be safeguarded from other immigration-related purposes…these representations… must continue to be honored.”
S. 3542: Bar Removal of Immigrants Who Dream and Grow the Economy
On 12/9/16, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the "Bar Removal of Immigrants Who Dream and Grow the Economy," or BRIDGE Act.
AILA Notes from SCOPS Teleconference (12/14/16) (Updated 1/31/17)
AILA notes from a teleconference with SCOPS on 12/14/16. On 1/31/17, SCOPS provided an amended response to question 5, EAD Adjudications. This question focuses on I-765s affected by the new changes that went into effect on 1/17/17.
Immigration Policy Update: Senators Introduce Starkly Different Bills on DREAMers
AILA issued an immigration policy update to provide information on the BRIDGE Act (S. 3542) and the SAFE Act (S. 3546), two starkly different bills on DREAMers.
AILA Quicktake #183: BRIDGE and SAFE Acts
AILA's Director of Advocacy Greg Chen shares updates on the BRIDGE and SAFE Acts introduced in Congress on Friday and provides details on the continuing resolution passed to fund the federal government through April 28, 2017.
Money on the Table: The Economic Impact of Ending DACA
Report by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) estimating the fiscal cost of ending DACA over ten years. The calculations include the reductions in Social Security and Medicare contributions and the unnecessary turnover costs for businesses.
S. 3546: Securing Active and Fair Enforcement Act
On 12/9/16, Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced the Securing Active and Fair Enforcement Act, or SAFE Act, (S. 3546), which pairs the language of the BRIDGE Act with harsh mandatory detention and rapid 90-day removal requirements for certain people.