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
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.
USCIS Reminder for Requesting DACA
USCIS reminder that Form I-765 and required fees must be submitted with initial and renewal DACA requests. USCIS advises submitting DACA renewal requests between 150 and 120 days before the expiration date. USCIS’s processing goal is 120 days; inquiries can be submitted 105 days after filing.
AILA ICE Liaison Committee Meeting Q&As (1/20/15)
AILA ICE Liaison Committee questions and answers from the 1/20/15 liaison meeting with ICE, including information on DHS enforcement priorities, prosecutorial discretion, DACA/DAPA, biometrics, the RCA, mentally incompetent detainees, LGBT detainees, expedited dockets, and family detention.
AILA Quicktake #114: Beginning Arguments of Texas Lawsuit
American Immigration Council's Melissa Crow sits down to discuss what happened at Thursday's hearing, the beginning arguments on the lawsuit filed by Texas and 20-some other states seeking to negate President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.
Mexican Consulates Will Issue Birth Certificates…Starting Today!
A longtime struggle for many Mexican citizens living in the United States is the inability to access their birth records. Some may have been born in a state where they no longer have contacts and they struggle to acquire their birth certificate. In practice, this can definitely be a significant hu
USCIS Fliers on Executive Actions on Immigration
USCIS fliers warning potential applicants to avoid scams relating to executive actions on immigration, not to submit requests until new initiatives are available, and providing eligibility requirements for expanded DACA and DAPA. Fliers are available in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
DOS and DHS Launch Awareness Campaign on Executive Action on Immigration
DOS and DHS “Executive Action on Immigration: Know the Facts” awareness campaign, a national and international effort aimed at the Mexican and Central American public, explaining how DAPA will be implemented and who is eligible, in an effort to dispel potential misinformation.
Immigration, Civil Rights, and Labor Groups Join Legal Effort to Defend President’s Executive Action on Immigration
AILA joined the American Immigration Council and other immigration, civil rights, and labor groups on an amicus brief in the case, State of Texas vs. United States, opposing the states’ request for a preliminary injunction against the Obama Administration’s new deferred action initiatives.
USCIS Idea Community Looking for Feedback on DACA
USCIS requests feedback on the DACA renewal process and the extended DACA validity period through the USCIS Idea Community. Feedback will be accepted from 12/23/14 through 12/29/14.
USCIS Executive Summary from Teleconference on DACA Renewal Process
USCIS executive summary from the 12/18/14 stakeholder teleconference discussing the DACA renewal process.
Supreme Court Order Allows DACA Beneficiaries in Arizona to Obtain Driver’s Licenses (Updated 12/18/14)
The court issued an order denying application for stay requested by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Ninth Circuit’s decision blocking Arizona driver’s licenses ban for DACA beneficiaries.
District Court Says Parts of President Obama’s Immigration Actions Are Unconstitutional
The district court, in considering how to sentence a defendant in a criminal case, held that the President’s executive action on immigration is unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers and the Take Care Clause in the U.S. Constitution. (U.S. v. Juarez-Escobar, 12/16/14)
Letter to Director Rodriguez on DACA Renewal Processing Times
A 12/12/14 letter from AILA to USCIS Director León Rodríguez, expressing concern over serious delays in processing renewal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications, and asking USCIS to automatically extend work authorization to DACA renewal applicants.
AILA Statement for Senate Judiciary Hearing on Keeping Families Together
AILA statement submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 12/10/14 hearing on " Keeping Families Together: The President’s Executive Action On Immigration And The Need To Pass Comprehensive Reform."
Practice Advisory: Preventing Removal of DAPA- or Expanded DACA-Eligible Individuals
The American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Project issued a joint practice advisory that offers strategies to facilitate the release from custody or prevent the removal of individuals who qualify for Expanded DACA or DAPA or are otherwise not enforcement priorities.
District Court Complaint Alleges Immigration Actions Violate Constitution and APA
Complaint filed by 17 states in U.S. district court seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that the Obama Administration’s immigration executive actions violate Take Care Clause of U.S. Constitution and Administrative Procedure Act (APA). (Texas, et. al, v. U.S., 12/3/14)
AILA Statement for House Judiciary Hearing on Executive Action
AILA statement submitted to the House Judiciary Committee for the 12/2/14 hearing on "President Obama's Executive Overreach on Immigration."
AILA Liaison Notes from Teleconference with USCIS Customer Service (12/2/14)
AILA notes from 12/2/14 teleconference with the USCIS Customer Service and Public Engagement Directorate on issues including: the new myUSCIS system, DACA renewal processing times, Secure Mail Initiative and LPR card issues, and Lockbox procedures.
Former General and Chief Counsels Affirm Law Professor Letter on Presidential Authority to Exercise Discretion
A letter from former General Counsels of INS and former Chief Counsels of USCIS affirming that they agree wholeheartedly with the legal analysis and conclusions of law professors on the legal basis for granting certain noncitizens in the U.S. deferred action as a temporary reprieve from deportation.
Legal Scholars Letter on President Authority to Exercise Discretion
A letter from 135 law professors on the legal basis for granting certain noncitizens in the United States “deferred action” status as a temporary reprieve from deportation.
AILA’s Take on President Obama’s Immigration Executive Action
AILA’s summary and analysis of President Obama’s “Immigration Accountability Executive Action” plan announced 11/20/14.
CRS Report on Obama’s November 2014 Immigration Initiatives
Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on the Obama Administration’s November 2014 immigration initiatives. The report discusses what actions are being taken, legal authority and constraints, DACA, standing for challenging the initiatives, and historical precedent for the actions.