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
Supreme Court Affirms Fifth Circuit’s Decision in United States v. Texas
An equally divided U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Fifth Circuit's decision, effectively upholding the lower court’s injunction halting the expansion of the DACA program and the creation of the new DAPA program. (United States v. Texas, 6/23/16)
AILA: Divided Supreme Court Leaves Millions of Immigrant Families in Limbo
AILA responded to the Supreme Court’s 4-4 deadlock in United States v. Texas with AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson noting, “Though today’s decision is disappointing, we must remember that this is not the end of the road for these incredibly important programs.”
AILA Member Talking Points on SCOTUS United States v. Texas Deadlock
AILA members can use these Talking Points with media when asked about the U.S. Supreme Court deadlock in United States v. Texas.
Law Student Perspective: Supreme Court to Review Obama’s Executive Actions on Immigration
Lauren Berkowitz and AILA member Jonathan Grode discuss the impending U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Texas, a politically charged case that raises important questions about the scope of the President’s authority to enforce U.S. immigration laws.
DOJ OIL June 2016 Litigation Bulletin
The DOJ OIL Immigration Litigation Bulletin for June 2016, with articles on United States v. Texas and Mathis v. United States, as well as summaries of circuit court decisions for June 2016.
My American Dreams PBS Film Project
For four years, all across the United States, they have come to law offices like ours. They have come with tidy stacks of records from their years in the United States - vaccination cards, dog-eared school grade cards, pay stubs from high school jobs, college awards. The older ones come by themselve
Outrage
“Apurar, cielos, pretendo, Por qué me tratáis así, qué delito cometí contra vosotros naciendo. Aunque si nací, ya entiendo qué delito he cometido; bastante causa ha tenido vuestra justicia y rigor, Pues el delito mayor del hombre es haber nacido.“ ~ by Pedro Calderón de la Barca Outrage is the
DOD Fact Sheet on MAVNI Recruitment Pilot Program
DOD fact sheet on the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) recruitment pilot program. To determine its value in enhancing military readiness, the limited pilot program will recruit up to 5,200 people in FY2016, and will continue through September 30, 2016.
AIM: The Benefits of DACA
In AILA's April Interview of the Month, DACA recipient and paralegal Alex Alvarado shares his story of how deferred action has impacted his life and why events like AILA's National Day of Action are important to continuing to push for immigration reform.
Webcast with the Experts: United States v. Texas
Watch AILA’s Director of Advocacy Greg Chen, American Immigration Council’s Legal Director Melissa Crow, and UCLA School of Law Professor Hiroshi Motomura as they recap and offer expert analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in the United States v. Texas case.
What Happened Yesterday
It was early Monday morning in Los Angeles and all along the West Coast of the United States, people were just waking up. Cars were jamming the freeways, lines were forming at coffee shops and TVs were tuned to the morning news. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., the five men and three women who current
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Executive Branch’s Immigration Powers
AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis commented on the oral arguments heard today in United States v. Texas noting, “AILA is confident that on the law and facts at issue in this case, it is increasingly clear that there is ample authority and precedent for the president to take these steps.”
Educational Materials on United States v. Texas
The Committee for Immigration Reform Implementation (CIRI) partners have developed flyers that stakeholders can use to share information about United States v. Texas with the public. Please feel free to download, customize, and use these flyers.
The End Nears for this Politically Charged Game of Chess
On Monday, April 18, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the controversial case, United States v. Texas, to determine the fate of more than 3 million undocumented individuals. The lawsuit, filed by Texas and 25 other states shortly after the administration announced the expansion of D
Oral Arguments in United States v. Texas
On Monday, April 18, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in United States v. Texas. Find information on the oral arguments and visiting the Supreme Court.
Defending DAPA and Expanded DACA Before the Supreme Court: A Guide to United States v. Texas
The American Immigration Council provides a guide with brief answers to common questions about United States v. Texas, including what is at stake in the case, how the litigation began, what the contested issues are, and the impact the case may have on the United States.
VSC Stakeholders Newsletter, Winter 2016
In the Winter 2016 issue of the VSC stakeholder newsletter, there are filing tips for DACA and H-1Bs, and notice that VSC began issuing two-year work permits for U applicants granted deferred action under the conditional grant program. There is also a message from Center Director Laura Zuchowski.
H. Res. 639: Authorizing the Speaker to Appear in United States v. Texas
House Resolution 639 authorized the Speaker to appear as amicus curiae on behalf of the House of Representatives in the matter of United States v. Texas.
Letter to Director Rodríguez on USCIS Processing Delays
A 3/11/16 letter from AILA to USCIS Director León Rodríguez, expressing concerns over significant backlogs in processing a variety of applications and petitions for immigration benefits, and a lack of transparency communicating current processing times to the public.
Q&As from AILA Meeting with USCIS Transformation (3/9/16)
Questions and answers from the AILA meeting with USCIS Transformation on 3/9/16. Topics include attorney interface with ELIS, technical assistance, new developments, Form I-90, USCIS Immigrant Fee, and statistics on ELIS usage by both pro se applicants and attorney represented applicants.
Amicus Brief Filed By 326 Organizations in United States v. Texas Urging Supreme Court to Lift Injunction Against DAPA/DACA
AILA joined the American Immigration Council and 324 other immigration, civil rights, and community groups in an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of DAPA and expanded DACA, President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.
AILA Joins Brief Urging Supreme Court to Uphold Executive Branch’s Immigration Powers
AILA joined a multitude of stakeholders urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the executive branch’s authority over immigration issues; oral arguments in the case, United States vs. Texas, are scheduled for April 18, 2016, and a decision is expected later in June 2016.
AILA Comments on Revisions to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
AILA provides comments in response to the USCIS 60-Day notice and request for comments on proposed revisions to Form I-131 and accompanying instructions.
AILA Quicktake #158: DACA at Year Three
American Immigration Council's Director of Policy Beth Werlin shares details of a report released by the Council, DACA at Year Three, which looks at the challenges and opportunities in accessing higher education and employment for DACA recipients.
AILA Quicktake #155: Updates on Supreme Court DACA/DAPA Case
American Immigration Council's Director of Policy Beth Werlin discusses how U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death might impact the upcoming case on Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).