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
Ethical Questions for AILA Members Regarding Expanded DACA and DAPA Clients
AILA member and Ethics Committee Chair Cyrus Mehta answers ethical questions on clients who may qualify for expanded DACA and DAPA. For more information or additional questions, please email AILA’s Practice and Professionalism Center.
ICE: 11/20/14 Enforcement Priorities Memo Is in Effect
AILA has received confirmation that ERO officers and OPLA attorneys have been instructed that the DACA/DAPA injunction has no impact on the 11/20/14 enforcement priorities memo and that ICE personnel are continuing to process individuals and litigate removal cases consistent with the memo.
VOICE: March 2015
In the March 2015 VOICE, learn about pursuing one-parent SIJS, assuaging clients’ fears about DAPA, resisting the pressure to reduce your fees, preparing clients for marriage interviews, challenging improper G-28 rejections, and more!
AILA Quicktake #121: The Latest on Executive Action Litigation
In this Quicktake, Beth Werlin, Director of Policy at the American Immigration Council, joins to discuss the latest with the litigation in Texas on expanded DACA and DAPA.
Letter to Senate Opposing S. 534 Introduced by Senator Collins
A 2/24/15 letter from AILA to the Senate expressing opposition to the Immigration Rule of Law Act of 2015 (S. 534) introduced by Senator Collins.
One Week, Two Injunctions
What a week. Last week began with a preliminary injunction temporarily preventing President Obama from implementing his executive action plan to protect millions of immigrant families from deportation. The week ended with a preliminary injunction temporarily preventing the Obama administration from
S. 534: Immigration Rule of Law Act of 2015
On 2/23/15, Senator Collins (R-ME) introduced the Immigration Rule of Law Act of 2015.
AILA Quicktake #116: UPDATED - Injunction Delays President Obama's Executive Actions
AILA President Leslie Holman discusses U.S. District Court Judge Hanen decision to issue an injunction against President Obama's proposed immigration executive actions that would expand DACA and create DAPA.
Emergency Expedited Motion to Stay Expanded DACA/DAPA Preliminary Injunction
The federal government filed an emergency expedited motion on the preliminary injunction entered on 2/16/15 concerning expanded DACA and DAPA, requesting that the court stay, pending appeal, its 2/16/15 Order, or in the alternative, stay its Order beyond application in Texas.
AILA: Texas Judge Made the Wrong Call; Executive Action will be Upheld and Implemented
AILA President Leslie A. Holman responded to the decision by Texas federal judge Andrew Hanen to temporarily halt President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative.
White House Statement on State of Texas v. U.S.A
Statement by the White House on district court preliminary injunction on lawsuit challenging expanded DACA and DAPA, stating that the “decision wrongly prevents these lawful, commonsense policies from taking effect and the Department of Justice has indicated that it will appeal that decision.”
DHS Statement on District Court Ruling Concerning DAPA and Expanded DACA
DHS statement on the district court decision to temporarily enjoin the implementation of DAPA and expanded DACA. DHS will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA on 2/18/15, as originally planned. Until further notice, DHS has also suspended the plan to accept requests for DAPA.
Politicizing Established Principles of Prosecutorial Discretion Without Offering Real Solutions
Judge Andrew Hanen's ruling this week issuing a temporary injunction to the expanded DACA and new DAPA programs announced as part of the President's concrete steps to alleviate our current dysfunctional immigration system is nothing more than a political kneejerk reaction to the Administration's eff
District Court Grants Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging DAPA and DACA Expansion
A federal district court in Texas granted a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the implementation of DAPA and the expansion of DACA in a lawsuit brought by 26 states. (State of Texas, et al v. U.S.A, 2/16/15)
Examining the UAC-DACA Link: New Data Show Child Migrant Crisis Began Before DACA
A report from the Niskanen Center examines the link between unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), finding that the increase in UACs began before DACA was even announced in June 2012.
CBP Releases Instructions for Individuals in CBP Custody Contrary to Updated DHS Enforcement Priorities
CBP provided information for individuals in CBP custody contrary to the DHS enforcement priorities released on 11/20/14.
DHS Notice on Providing Executive Action Feedback
DHS provided a notice with links to the public feedback mechanisms for questions about the new DHS enforcement priorities, the expanded deferred action programs, or if an individual believes they are eligible for one of the new initiatives.
USCIS Executive Summary from DACA Expansion Teleconference
USCIS executive summary from the 1/13/15 teleconference discussing the expansion of DACA.
House Judiciary Hearing on Enforcing Nation’s Immigration Laws
A 2/3/15 hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on, “Examining the Adequacy and Enforcement of Our Nation’s Immigration Laws."
USCIS Updates Fliers on Expanded DACA and Preparing for DAPA
USCIS provides two new fliers on expanded DACA and DAPA. Both flyers are available on USCIS’s website for free and are available in English and Spanish. The fliers highlight that expanded DACA will be available on 2/18/15 and that DAPA will be available in mid-to-late May.
CRCL Newsletter, February 2015 (Vol. 5, No. 5)
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) released its February 2015 newsletter, which included articles on the DHS FY2016 budget, CRCL’s role in executive actions, CRCL monitoring of conditions at family detention centers, E-Verify videos, and more.
DOJ OIL February 2015 Litigation Bulletin
The DOJ OIL Immigration Litigation Bulletin for February 2015, with articles on Texas v. United States and the role of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), as well as USCIS updates and summaries of circuit court decisions for February 2015.
USCIS to Begin Accepting Requests for Expanded DACA on 2/18/15
USCIS alert that individuals can begin requesting DACA under the revised guidance established as part of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration on 2/18/15. USCIS also warns the public to be extra careful to avoid immigration scams.
AILA Notes from SCOPS Teleconference (1/21/15)
AILA notes from a teleconference with SCOPS on 1/21/15. Topics include DACA renewals, delays in green card production, RFE trends, H-1B petitions, derivatives’ applications separated from principals’ applications, G-28s in humanitarian reinstatement cases, and photo requirements.
USCIS Information on the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration
USCIS information on the initiatives included in the President’s 11/20/14 executive actions on immigration, included are summaries of the planned initiatives by USCIS with who is eligible, what the initiatives will do, when a request can be made, and how to make that request.