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
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.
President Remarks on Executive Action on 11/21/14
The transcript of President Obama’s 11/21/14 remarks in Las Vegas, Nevada on his plans to use his executive authority to take action on immigration, including providing protection from deportation for parents of U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident children.
President's Remarks on Immigration on 11/20/14
The transcript of President Obama’s 11/20/14 remarks to the nation on his plans to use his executive authority to take action on immigration, including providing protection from deportation for parents of U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident children.
The President’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions
Based on a briefing on 11/20/14 by the White House, the following is a summary of the elements expected to be part of the Administration’s announcement of executive actions on immigration. AILA’s understanding is that details (and memos) are still being finalized at this time.
2014 Executive Action White House Pocket Card
A 11/20/14 White House produced a pocket guide for understanding the President’s 2014 executive action on immigration.
White House Fact Sheet on 2014 Executive Action
An 11/20/14 White House fact sheet on the President’s 2014 executive action on immigration.
White House Talking Points on 2014 Executive Action
Talking points produced by the White House on 11/20/14 on the President’s 2014 executive action on immigration.
DHS Memo on ICE Personnel Reform
A 11/20/14 memo from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson outlining the details of the Personnel Reform for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers included in the 2014 Executive Action.
DHS Memo Discontinuing Secure Communities
A 11/20/14 memo from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson outlining the details of the dismantling of the Secure Communities program included in the 2014 Executive Action.
DHS Memo on Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion and Deferred Action
An 11/20/14 memo from DHS Secretary Johnson to USCIS, ICE, and CBP on exercising prosecutorial discretion (PD) for individuals who came to the U.S. as children and to certain individuals whose parents are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This memo supplements and amends the 6/15/12 PD DHS memo.
District Court Complaint Seeks to Enjoin Executive Actions on Immigration
Complaint filed on behalf of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, seeking to enjoin the DACA program and President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, alleging that they are unconstitutional, violate the APA, and will cause irreversible harm. (Arpaio v. Obama, 11/20/14)
DHS Authority to Prioritize and Defer Removal
DOJ Office of Legal Counsel memorandum to DHS and the President concluding that DHS’s proposed prioritization policy and deferred action for parents of USCs and LPRs would be legally permissible, but that a proposed deferred action program for parents of DACA recipients would not be permissible.
Practice Pointer: Raising DACA Cases Denied Because of Administrative Error
NSC Liaison Committee practice pointer on how to raise DACA cases that are denied because of administrative error.
AILA Quicktake #107: DACA Delays and Renewals
AILA member and Chair of AILA's Media Advocacy Committee Maurice Goldman shares information on the DACA renewal process, potential difficulties with delays, and helpful resources for AILA members.
CRS Report on Legal Authority for Executive Discretion in Immigration
Congressional Research Service (CRS) report with a legal overview of the president’s authority for executive discretion over immigration matters. Report includes statutory authority for granting benefits or relief, discretion in enforcement, and discretion in interpreting and applying statutes.
DOD Fact Sheet on MAVNI Program Eligibility
A November 2014 DOD fact sheet on Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program eligibility, including individuals granted DACA.
AILA Quicktake #101: DACA Recipients and MAVNI
AILA member Margaret Stock discusses the limitations to the Department of Defense's announcement to open its Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program (MAVNI) to DACA recipients.
AILA: Obama Talks Big on Immigration Reform, But is Not Delivering
AILA President Leslie Holman responds to two recent announcements from the Obama Administration regarding the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program and a plan to allow young children from Central American countries to apply for refugee status from outside the U.S.
CRS Report on DACA FAQs
CRS report on background information on the initial Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, approval and denial rates, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and information on DACA renewals.
AILA Notes from SCOPS Teleconference (9/24/14)
AILA notes from a teleconference with SCOPS on 9/24/14. Topics include pre-adjudication of adjustment applications, RFEs for marriage and birth certificates, EAD processing times for Forms I-817, DACA renewal processing times, H-1B cap exemptions, EB-1-1 RFEs, and Matter of Lee.
Media Talking Points for AILA Members on Administrative Reform
AILA Members can use these Talking Points when asked by the media or other stakeholders what the President can and should do to reform our broken immigration system through administrative reform.
NSC Liaison Q&As from Student, Schools, and Other Product Line Teleconference (8/14/14)
The NSC Liaison Committee’s unofficial Q&As from a stakeholder teleconference with NSC on 8/14/14. Topics included: K-3 and K-4 classification, I-130 processing times, re-entry permits, and DACA backlog.