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
The Dream Today
On this fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington to demand justice and equality, the United States has once again had the chance to rise to the “better angels of its nature“ by enacting just immigration reform. A broad-based movement consisting of the religious community, organized la
Brookings Report with Statistics on the DACA Program
Brookings report on the first year of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, with statistics drawn from a FOIA request to DHS requesting information on the size of the program, demographics, geographic distribution, age, and year of arrival of applicants.
New “Pocket DACA” Mobile App Helps Young Immigrants Apply for Deferred Action
AILA, AIC, the Immigration Advocates Network, and the Own the Dream campaign are proud to announce the launch of a new “Pocket DACA” app for smartphones and tablets that will help immigrants brought to this country as children understand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process.
AILA Quicktake #48: Pocket DACA (Updated 8/15/13)
Pocket DACA is a new app for smartphones and tablets that will help immigrants brought to this country as children understand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process. Patrick Taurel, DACA Legal Services Fellow with the American Immigration Council, joins us to discuss the app.
Pocket DACA: A How-To Guide
Please use this one-minute video to guide you through the helpful Pocket DACA App. This newly-released app is designed to help immigrants brought to this country as children understand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process and link them with AILA attorneys when needed.
USCIS Alert on Workload Transfers for Various Forms
USCIS alert that is has begun transferring casework within service centers to balance workload processing capacity, including the transfer of Forms I-129F, I-130 F2A category, I-821D and the accompanying Form I-765, and I-751.
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through July 31, 2013
USCIS statistics on DACA cases through 7/31/13, showing a total of 552,918 DACA requests accepted for processing, 540,821 biometric appointments scheduled, 430,236 requests approved, and 7,450 requests denied. 15,999 applications were accepted and 2,117 applications were denied in Ju1y 2013.
BIA Denies Remand Stating that DACA for Son Does Not Provide Basis for Administrative Closure
Unpublished BIA decision denying respondent's request for a remand upon finding the grant of relief under DACA to the respondent's son did not provide a valid basis for administrative closure. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Ascencio-Hernandez, 8/6/13)
Litigation Timeline: Lawsuit Challenging DACA Filed by ICE Officers (Updated 7/31/13)
Timeline of major court actions in response to litigation by ICE officers challenging the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. (Crane v. Napalitano, 7/31/13)
District Court Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging DACA on Procedural Grounds
The court held that the Civil Service Reform Act deprived the court of jurisdiction over the federal employment dispute filed by several ICE officers opposed to implementing DACA. (Crane v. Napalitano, 7/31/13)
FOIA Response with Internal Documents by USCIS on Deferred Action
FOIA response provides internal documents by USCIS on non-DACA deferred action since June 17, 2011. Special thanks to Pennsylvania State University and Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia.
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through June 30, 2013
USCIS statistics on DACA cases through 6/30/13, showing a total of 537,662 DACA requests accepted for processing, 524,153 biometric appointments scheduled, 400,562 requests approved, and 5,383 requests denied. 17,506 applications were accepted and 1,591 applications were denied in June 2013.
CIS Ombudsman’s Office 2013 Annual Report
CIS Ombudsman’s Office 2013 Annual Report including an overview of the Ombudsman’s mission and services, a review of programmatic and policy achievements over the past year, and a detailed discussion of pervasive and serious problems, recommendations, and best practices for USCIS.
AILA Liaison OSC Meeting Minutes (4/10/13)
Minutes from the AILA Verification & Documentation Liaison Committee’s 4/10/13 meeting with DOJ’s Office of Special Counsel. Topics include I-9 self-audits and internal investigations, settlement agreements, third party worksites, DACA, Form I-94 automation, hotline calls, and FY2013 current trends.
House Vote to Defund DACA Requires Action Now
On June 6th, the House voted 224 to 201 to defund the infant Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA“) program, announced by President Obama on June 15, 2012. On a mostly party-line vote, 220 House Republicans supported the amendment introduced by Representative Steve King (R‑IA) that w
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through May 31, 2013
USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 5/31/13 which shows a total of 520,157 DACA requests accepted for processing, 507,301 biometric services appointments scheduled, 365,237 requests approved, and 3,816 requests denied.
AILA’s Pro Bono Newsletter, Summer 2013
Enjoy the summer edition of AILA’s Pro Bono Newlsetter, brought to you by the National Pro Bono Services Committee. Hear the latest round-up of April’s 2013 AILA Month of Service activities and read about the wonderful pro bono work that is being done by members across the chapters and the country!
AILA Notes on Liaison Q&As with SCOPS (5/15/13)
AILA notes from a teleconference with SCOPS on 5/15/13. Topics include FY2014 H-1B cap update, DACA inquiries, I-290B processing times, asylum-based inquiries through NCSC, USCIS immigrant fee, the new G-28, and EOIR AOS filings at TSC.
AIM: The Human Impact of Immigration Policy
For May's AILA Interview of the Month (AIM), a young woman joins us to tell her personal story that highlights the human impact of immigration policy and the importance of sharing individual narratives to help create change.
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through May 17, 2013
USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 4/30/13 which shows a total of 497,960 accepted DACA requests for processing, 483,907 biometric services appointments scheduled and 291,859 requests approved.
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through March 31, 2013 (Corrected)
USCIS corrected statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 3/31/13 which was corrected on 5/9/13 to revise the number of cases under review in October 2012 from 134,858 to 106,752 cases.
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through March 31, 2013
USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 3/31/13 which shows a total of 472,004 accepted DACA requests for processing, 456,843 biometric services appointments scheduled and 268,361 requests approved.
Practice Alert: DACA Interviews at Local USCIS Field Offices
The AILA USCIS Field Operations liaison committee informs members that some DACA cases are being transferred to local field offices, and of those cases, some are being randomly selected for interviews.
AILA ICE Liaison Committee Meeting Q&As (5/02/13)
AILA ICE Liaison Committee questions and answers from the 5/02/13 liaison meeting with ICE, including information on prosecutorial discretion, deferred action, I-94s and adjustment of status, U visas, the RCA, right to counsel, withholding of removal, FOIA, and ATDs.
Practice Alert: USCIS Adds Forms I-821 and I-821D to Processing Time Reports
USCIS added processing times for Forms I-821 and I-821D to the monthly processing time reports.