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
CIS Ombudsman Annual Report 2014
The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman’s 2014 Annual Report, containing an overview of the Ombudsman’s mission and services, a review of USCIS programmatic and policy achievements, and a detailed discussion of pervasive and serious remaining problems and recommendations.
DHS Open Letter to Parents of Children Crossing Southwest Border
Open letter from DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson warning parents of unaccompanied children crossing southern U.S. border that sending children to travel to U.S. is dangerous, DACA relief is not available for these children, and if the children are caught, they will be placed in removal proceedings.
USCIS Reminder to Use Revised Form I-821D, Dated 6/4/14
USCIS reminder that revised Form I-821D, Consideration for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), dated 6/4/14, must be used to submit initial or renewal requests. USCIS will reject any previous versions of Form I=821D. The last day to use previously accepted versions was 6/5/14.
AILA Quicktake #83: In-State Tuition for DACA Recipients
AILA member Charles Kuck joins us to explain the results of his recent lawsuit, in which a Georgia judge dismissed his case that sought for in-state college tuition for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, recipients.
Video: The Top 5 Things You Need to Know on DACA Renewals
AILA Immediate Past President Laura Lichter shares insights on the newly released Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal process.
AILA: Renewal Process for DACA Opens; Get Started As Soon as You Can!
As USCIS announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal process, AILA President Doug Stump noted, “These two-year grants of deferred action have already made a tremendous impact on the lives of so many young people and on the communities in which they live, study, and work.”
USCIS DACA Renewal Resources
Resources on the DACA renewal process announced on 6/5/14. Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting renewal requests. USCIS will hold a teleconference today at 3pm to discuss the renewal process.
Georgia State Court Holds Sovereign Immunity Bars Declaratory Relief in DACA Recipient Tuition Case
The court granted the defendant’s motion to dismiss, holding that Georgia law bars declaratory relief due to sovereign immunity. Special thanks to Charles Kuck. (DACA Beneficiary Georgia College Students v. University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, 6/9/14)
The Good, the Not-so-Bad and the Ugly: USCIS Announces DACA Renewal Procedures
Today, USCIS published long-awaited guidance for renewals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program, including a new Form I-821D for both initial and renewal applications. The guidelines should mean a streamlined process for most renewals, but the agency missed a real opportu
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Order and Changes Venue Sua Sponte
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia order against respondent who was four years old at the time of the hearing, and changes venue from Texas to Florida to permit joinder of proceedings with respondent’s brother. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Murillo, 6/3/14)
AILA’s ILS Newsletter (Vol. 1, Issue 4)
The latest issue of AILA’s Immigration Lawyers Search (ILS) Newsletter features statistics from the last six months of website use, as well an article about making pro bono part of your marketing plan.
Senate Appropriations Field Hearing on Immigrant Enlistment in the Military
A 05/19/14 Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee field hearing on “Immigrant Enlistment: A Force Multiplier for the U.S. Armed Forces.”
AILA NBC Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes (5/9/14)
Meeting minutes from the AILA NBC Liaison Committee’s meeting with the National Benefits Center on 5/9/14. Topics included: I-485 and I-130 processing times, transfer notices issues, RFEs, I-601A provisional waivers, and adjustment of status based on VAWA.
AILA and AIC Comments on Revised Form I-821D Following 30-Day Comment Extension
AIC and AILA comments in response to a 30-day extension for comments on proposed revisions to Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and accompanying instructions. The revised form included information on the DACA renewal process.
AILA Quicktake #70: DACA Renewals
As many of the first young immigrants who applied for DACA are looking at renewal, AILA Immediate Past President Laura Lichter shares important information about the upcoming process.
AILA Liaison OSC Meeting Minutes (4/14/14)
Approved minutes from the AILA Verification & Documentation Liaison Committee’s 4/14/14 meeting with DOJ’s Office of Special Counsel. Topics include DACA, settlement agreements, discriminatory intent, I-9 self-audits and internal investigations, I-94 automation, hotline calls, and FY2014 trends.
AILA ICE Liaison Committee Meeting Q&As (4/10/14)
AILA ICE Liaison Committee questions and answers from the 4/10/14 liaison meeting with ICE, including information on prosecutorial discretion, joint motions to reopen, the parental interests directive, deferred action and stays of removal, biometrics, and U visa applicants with a final order.
USCIS Message on 30-Day Comment Period for Revised Form I-821D
USCIS message on the publication of a 30-day notice in the Federal Register inviting public comment on the revised version of the Form I-821D. USCIS will issue the final revised Form I-821D after the public comment period is over, the comments are addressed, and the form is approved.
USCIS Extension of Comment Request on Form I-821D (Updated 4/15/14)
USCIS 30-day extension of information collection on Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Comments are now due on 5/5/14. USCIS correction issued to add e-Docket ID, due date remains unchanged. (79 FR 18925, 4/4/14) (79 FR 21257, 4/15/14)
DACA SOP for Form I-821D and Form I-765
The National Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Forms I-821D and I-765, prepared by the Service Center Operations Directorate. Manual is dated April 4, 2013, version 2.0 and was provided to AIC and NILC in response to a FOIA request.
Shifting Pressure, Shifting Strategies – Whose Move Will Be Checkmate?
Chess is a two-player strategy game. Each player begins with 16 pieces: A king, a queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. Pieces are used to attack and capture, with the objective to ‘checkmate' the opponent's king by inescapably trapping him. Strategy, however, is the key to ea
AILA's Recommendations to DHS on Enforcement (Updated 4/3/14)
These are AILA's recommendations for the Department of Homeland Security to consider immediately to protect families and ensure enforcement practices comport with the American values of due process, equal rights, and human dignity.
USCIS Performance Data on DACA Applications for First Quarter of FY2014
USCIS statistics on I-821D DACA applications, broken down by intake (accepted and rejected), biometrics, and case status (received, approved, denied, or pending) for FY2012 through FY2014, with FY2014 data for the first quarter.
AILA Disappointed in House Hearing on Enforcement that Ignores the Obvious
In response to the House Judiciary Committee hearing, AILA President Doug Stump noted that “Instead of much of the rhetoric we heard at this hearing, our lawmakers should turn their attention to smart enforcement strategies as part of a comprehensive reform of our broken immigration system.”
DACA Checklist/Worksheet Received Via FOIA
USCIS checklist and worksheet for Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), received via a FOIA request. Special thanks to Charles Kuck.