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
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.
AILA Quicktake #93: Legislative Update
AILA Senior Associate Director of Advocacy Bob Sakaniwa provides an update on the legislative activities that happened last week before Congress went on a five-week recess.
USCIS DACA Toolkit for Community Partners
USCIS provided a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) toolkit for community partners, including a program overview, a “how do I” guide, FAQs, and list of federal government resources pertaining to DACA. DACA renewal information is included.
Notes from CIS Ombudsman 2014 Annual Report Webinar
AILA notes from CIS Ombudsman’s 7/30/14 webinar presentation to stakeholders about their annual report. Topics include provisional waivers, SIJ adjudications, DACA, employment-based issues, AAO, SAVE, G-28s, ELIS, processing times, USCIS Customer Service requests, and fee waivers.
Written Testimony of Leon Rodriguez on Oversight of USCIS
Written testimony of Leon Rodriguez from a 7/29/14 hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on oversight of USCIS, covering a wide range of topics including the timely adjudication of I-130 immediate relative petitions, L-1A site visits, DACA, EB-5, transformation, and unaccompanied minors.
USCIS Demographics of DACA Applicants Since 8/15/12
USCIS data on the characteristics of individuals requesting and approved for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) since the implementation of the program on 8/15/12, including age group, sex, country of birth, marital status, and geographic location at time of filing.
AILA Amicus Brief in Crane Lawsuit Argues DACA Does Not Violate INA
AILA amicus brief arguing that INA §235(b)(2)(A), which provides that all inadmissible applicants seeking admission "shall be detained" for removal proceedings, does not impose a mandatory duty on federal immigration officers to initiate removable proceedings against DACA-eligible noncitizens.
DOL TEGL on DACA Recipient Eligibility for DOL Programs
DOL Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TELG) No. 02-14 provides guidance to states and recipients concerning the eligibility of individuals granted relief under DACA with employment authorization for program eligibility for Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act programs.
A Victory for the Arizona DACAmented
In Arizona, a high school student that has been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA“) can create an award-winning underwater robot from Home Depot parts, but can't legally drive to school (more about that below). Thanks to a mean-spirited August 15, 2012 executive order from
CA9 Blocks Arizona Driver’s License Ban for DACA Beneficiaries
The court held it could identify no legitimate state interest that was rationally related to defendants’ decision to treat DACA recipients disparately from other noncitizens who could use their EAD cards when applying for driver’s licenses. (Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Brewer, 7/7/14)
CRS Report on Potential Factors Contributing to Recent UAC Humanitarian Crisis
Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on potential factors, including conditions in Central America and factors within the U.S., that are contributing to the recent unaccompanied child humanitarian crisis.
USCIS Reminder: Passport Photos Required with DACA I-765 Submissions
USCIS reminder that two passport-style photographs are required with the submission of Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. This is required for both initial and renewal DACA requests.
Representative Issa Letter Asking President to End DACA
A 7/2/14 letter from Representative Issa (R-CA), signed by 32 of his Republican House colleagues, offering suggestions to President Obama on how to curtail the humanitarian crisis at the southern border, including telling him to end deferred action for childhood arrivals.