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
Senator Flake’s Press Release on S. 3546: Securing Active and Fair Enforcement Act
On 12/9/16, Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) issued a press release introducing S. 3546: Securing Active and Fair Enforcement Act, or SAFE Act.
Senator Graham and Senator Durbin’s Press Release on S. 3542: BRIDGE Act
On 12/9/16, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued a press release introducing S. 3542: Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act.
AILA Quicktake #182: Dispelling Rumors
As the Trump administration gears up for the transition, rumors about what could be in store for immigration have spread. AILA member Ian Wagreich shares a plan for determining fact from fiction.
Mayors Ask President-Elect Trump To Continue DACA
On 12/7/16, fourteen mayors joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in sending President-elect Trump a letter to continue the DACA program, which protects DREAMers and grows the economy, until Congress modernizes America’s immigration system.
Members of Congress Urge President Obama to Protect Personal Information
On 12/5/16, Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) along with 110 other members of Congress called on President Obama to protect private data and information on DACA recipients.
Business Community: Speak Up on DACA!
What if someone told you that by the stroke of a presidential pen, the United States was set to lose at least $433.4 billion from the U.S. gross domestic product over the course of a decade? Would that be a good policy, or even a prudent economic decision? According to a recent study from the [R
With the Stroke of a Pen: What Executive Branch Actions Can President-elect Trump “Undo” on Day One?
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) Legal Sidebar that discusses what executive branch actions President-elect Donald Trump can unilaterally and immediately revoke. Report discusses executive orders, discretionary agency directives and guidance documents, and agency rules and regulations.
House Members Urge President Obama to Pardon DREAMers
On 11/17/16, Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) urged President Obama to exercise his constitutional authority to provide pardons to DREAMers.
AILA/USCIS HQ Meeting Questions and Answers (11/1/16)
Official questions and answers from the 11/1/16 AILA liaison meeting with USCIS HQ. Topics include processing times, deferred action, EADs for individuals under OSUP, I-140 date of degrees, signature requirements, G-28 recognition, STEM OPT extensions, refugee and asylum issues, and more.
AILA Notes from SCOPS Teleconference (10/26/16)
AILA notes from a teleconference with SCOPS on 10/26/16. Topics include E-3 petition processing times, delays in processing times for H-1s, L-1s, and NIWs, DACA renewal cases, ELIS approval notice format, clarification on LCA checkboxes and H-1 categorization, and physical therapist credentialing.
USCIS Message: Biometrics Appointment Notices for DACA Requestors
Some DACA requestors reported delays when receiving their Application Support Center biometrics appointment notices. USCIS recently mailed out biometrics appointment notices to these individuals with most appointments being scheduled during the week of October 24, 2016.
BIA Reopens Sua Sponte to Allow DACA Recipient to Travel on Advance Parole
Unpublished BIA decision reopens proceedings sua sponte to allow beneficiary of DACA program to travel abroad pursuant to grant of advance parole. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Colotl, 10/6/16)
AILA: SCOTUS Denies Rehearing in Deferred Action Case Leaving Millions of Immigrants Out in the Cold
AILA is disappointed with today’s Supreme Court decision denying the request for a rehearing in United States v. Texas; AILA President Bill Stock noted, “the Supreme Court has once again allowed state governments to block federal policy initiatives with which they disagree.”
AILA Notes from SCOPS Teleconference (9/28/16)
AILA notes from a teleconference with SCOPS on 9/28/16. Topics include premium processing cases, EAD renewals, DACA approval notices, the refugee admissions program and P-2 direct access for I-130 beneficiaries, and I-130 step-child petition RFEs.
USCIS Message: How to Inquire About Your DACA Renewal Request
USCIS message stating that it makes every effort to adjudicate DACA renewal requests within 120 days, and outlining several ways to inquire about DACA renewal requests pending for more than 105 days.
USCIS Performance Data on DACA Applications Through Third Quarter of FY2016
USCIS statistics on I-821D DACA applications, broken down by intake (accepted and rejected), biometrics, case status (received, approved, denied, or pending), and whether the application was an initial or renewal application for FY2012 through FY2016. FY2016 data is broken down by quarter.
USCIS Update on DACA Renewal Requests
USCIS posted an update on its website stating that its current goal is to process DACA renewal requests within 120 days, and that DACA applicants whose renewal requests have been pending for more than 105 days may contact USCIS.
CSC PowerPoint Presentations from 8/31/16 Open House
The California Service Center (CSC) provided the PowerPoint presentations from its 8/31/16 open house, where updates were given on employment and family-based immigration, student issues, and DACA.
What is Donald Trump’s Position on Immigration?
Why do we ask? And why particularly of Donald Trump and not Hillary Clinton? While the devil is always in the details, it is clear that Secretary Clinton has a more favorable view of immigration and has laid out a fairly clear strategy for how she would reform the current system. But the question
DACA Recipient Challenges Nationwide Scope of DAPA/DACA+ Injunction
A DACA recipient filed a complaint challenging DHS’s revocation of his employment authorization and seeking to exempt New York residents from Texas Judge Andrew Hanen’s injunction against President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. (Batalla Vidal v. Baran, et al., 8/25/16)
DACAversary
On June 15, 2012, President Obama changed many lives for the better with his historic announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. This critical and necessary action by the President went into effect on August 15, 2012 when young people were able to take the piles of
AILA FAQs on Supreme Court’s Ruling in U.S. v. Texas
AILA’s FAQs (updated on 8/3/16) on the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Texas provide an explanation of the Court’s ruling, the impact it will have on millions of immigrant families waiting to apply for DAPA and DACA+, and predictions of what will happen next in the legal case.
USCIS Message: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Is Still Available
USCIS reminder that the Supreme Court's 6/23/16 decision in United States v. Texas does not affect the existing 2012 policy regarding DACA. Individuals who meet the 2012 DACA guidelines may continue to file an initial or renewal request for DACA under those guidelines.
CRS Report: What Does the Supreme Court’s 4-4 Split in Texas Mean for Future Executive Action as to Immigration
A CRS Legal Sidebar report discusses how the Supreme Court’s 4-4 split in United States v. Texas might affect the ability of the president to issue executive actions on immigration in the future.
CRS Report: FAQs Regarding the Supreme Court’s 4-4 Split on Immigration
A CRS Legal Sidebar provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the effects of the Supreme Court’s 4-4 decision in United States v. Texas.