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
White House Releases Fact Sheet Announcing Additional Actions and Guidance on Affirmative Relief
The White House released additional details related to its June 18, 2024, announcements on a new process to help U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children, as well as additional announcements for DACA recipients, and more.
Streamlining Dreamers’ Access to Employment-Based Visas Using D-3 Waivers: What You Need To Know
The Presidents' Alliance, TheDream.US, and Cornell Law School provided information on why Dreamers are eligible for employment-based visa options, the obstacles that DACA recipients and other Dreamers face in accessing such visas, what are D-3 waivers, why they are needed, and more.
Think Immigration: My Initial Lifeline Was DACA
More than twelve years after DACA was first announced, AILA Policy and Practice Associate Blanca Hernández shares how the program was a lifeline for her and why she will continue to fight on behalf of all the DREAMers without a path to permanent status.
Watch the Recording: The President’s Executive Actions Promoting Family Unity and Dreamers
Watch this free recording of AILA leadership, staff, and experts discussing the President’s announcement on using parole-in-place to promote family unity and leveraging INA 212(d)(3) waivers for U.S. college-educated DACA recipients and Dreamers.
Streamlining Dreamers’ Access to Employment-Based Visas Using D-3 Waivers: What You Need To Know
The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, along with TheDream.US and Cornell Law School provides an explainer on what are D-3 waivers, why they are needed, and why the Biden Administration’s action to provide clarifying guidance for D-3 waivers is significant.
AILA Applauds Announcement of Life-Changing Protections for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Dreamers
AILA applauded the Biden Administration’s announcement of executive actions to provide protections and work authorization for some undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens and Dreamers with comments from President Kelli Stump and Executive Director Ben Johnson.
Talking Points for AILA Members on Streamlining Dreamers’ Access to Employment-Based Visas
AILA members may find these Talking Points useful if asked by reporters or others about the June 18, 2024, announcement on administrative action that streamlines access to employment-based visas for eligible DACA recipients and other Dreamers.
Biden Announces Immigration Protections for Up to 550,000 Spouses and Children of U.S. Citizens
On the Immigration Impact blog, the American Immigration discusses the Biden Administration announcement of two major new policies to help streamline paths to legal status for certain long-time undocumented immigrants and highlights their potential impact.
Think Immigration: The Next Best Thing to Attending the AILA Law Journal Symposium Is Reading This Issue
AILA Law Journal Editor-in-Chief Cyrus Mehta runs through the pieces in this special edition of the journal which focuses on the AILA Law Journal’s first-ever symposium held this Spring on “Shaping Immigration Policy Through the Federal Courts.”
CIS Ombudsman Encourages DACA Recipients to File Renewals as Early as Possible
The Office of the CIS Ombudsman encourages recipients to file their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal request as early as possible. USCIS's recommendation is to submit the DACA renewal request 150 to 120 days (four to five months) before the expiration.
Client Flyer: Understanding Travel Risks for DACA Holders
AILA provides a client flyer on the travel risks that exist for DACA recipients. There is a generic PDF version and a customizable Word version. Please share widely with your networks.
AILA Statement Submitted to the Senate Committee Hearing Titled "Dream Deferred: The Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Youth"
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary met to discuss Dreamers and the urgent need to protect immigrant youth. Ahead of the hearing, AILA submitted a statement to the Senate committee urging Congress to protect Dreamers and modernize our immigration system.
DHHS Final Rule Clarifying Eligibility for DACA Recipients
DHHS issued a final rule clarifying the eligibility of DACA recipients and certain other noncitizens for a qualified health plan under the Affordable Care Act. The rule is effective as of 11/1/24. (89 FR 39392, 5/8/24)
USCIS 60-Day Notice and Request for Comments on G–325A
USCIS 60-day notice and request for comments on Form G–325A, Biographic Information (for Deferred Action). Comments due by 6/24/24. (89 FR 30388, 4/23/24)
USCIS Issues Reminders Regarding the DACA Renewal Process
USCIS issues reminders about DACA renewal requests and strongly encourages renewal requests to be filed between 120-150 days before the expiration date. Filing more than 150 days ahead of the expiration date will not result in a faster decision.
USCIS Provides Update on DACA Processing Times
USCIS issued a reminder that it is committed to timely adjudicating DACA renewal requests. All DACA renewal requests are currently adjudicated at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC), except for a small number of remaining requests pending at the Vermont Service Center (VSC).
Practice Alert: DACA Processing Times Updates
AILA provides a practice alert as the processing times page on the USCIS website are currently being updated for DACA applications. The posted times currently listed are not accurate, as they do not reflect application transfers currently in process.
Project 2025: Unveiling the far right’s plan to demolish immigration in a second Trump term
The Niskanen Center provides key takeaways from the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 policy playbook.
A Bridge We Can All Cross
AILA members César Magaña Linares and Raquel Fernández—a Salvadoran Dreamer with TPS and a second generation Venezuelan American—call for intra-immigrant solidarity.
USCIS Clarifies Guidance for Filing DACA Applications
USCIS issued an update after a U.S. district court decision found the DACA final rule unlawful. USCIS will continue to accept and process DACA renewals and accompanying applications for EADs. USCIS will continue to accept initial requests, but per the order, not process initial DACA requests.
And the DREAMers Dream On
AILA member Vaman Kidambi highlights the limbo that DREAMers are still stuck in and urges immigration attorneys to advocate for fairer and more humane immigration laws and policies, writing that immigrants bring “a rich diversity of culture, identity and togetherness“ that benefits us all.
DACA: Failure is Not an Option!
AILA Past President Victor Nieblas Pradis highlights the contributions DACA recipients have made over the last 11 years since the program's inception and why Congress cannot and must not fail to take action and protect them permanently.
DACA Recipients Stuck Picking Up Crumbs Left by the DREAM Act’s Failure
AILA DEI Scholarship winner Brenda Quintanilla delineates the history and impact of DACA and efforts to pass the DREAM Act, urging advocates to continue pushing Congress to pass legislation, writing “America has a gambling problem and undocumented/DACAmented people are treated like poker chips.̶
Featured Issue: Protecting Dreamers
Resources on legislative and administrative efforts to protect Dreamers, as well as litigation challenging the DACA program.
Featured Issue: A Path to Citizenship for People Who Are Undocumented or Lack Permanent Status
Overwhelmingly, Americans support a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants and people with temporary status. Take action now and tell Congress to ensure permanent status for these valued members of our community.