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
AILA/ICE Workplace Enforcement Meeting Summary (1/17/13)
Q&As from the 1/17/13 AILA Verification & HSI Worksite Enforcement Division meeting. Topics include DACA guidance for employers, FY2012 inspections, substantive/technical errors, NOIs, and electronic I-9s. Thanks to Kathleen Walker, Marketa Lindt & Sharon Mehlman. AILA Doc. No. 13021943.
North Carolina Attorney General Asked to Reinstate Licenses for DACA Recipients with Work Permits
North Carolina Justice Center press release about joint letter asking state officials to reinstate policy that allowed young immigrants who have been authorized to be in the U.S. and granted work permits under a federal program to receive North Carolina driver’s licenses.
AILA Concerns Regarding USCIS DACA Guidance for Employers
AILA’s comments to USCIS Verification division regarding portions of the 11/19/12 “Guidance for Employers,” which provides information to employers in connection with DACA. Special thanks to Daniel Brown, Marketa Lindt, Bonnie Gibson, Sharon Mehlman and Kathleen Walker.
AILA, AIC and CLINIC Comment on Changes to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
Joint comments of AILA, AIC, and CLINIC in response to proposed revisions to Form I-131. Changes include instructions for advance parole for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and a revised travel warning in light of Arrabally and Yerrabelly.
USCIS Message to Stakeholders on Recent Federal Register Notice Publications
USCIS press release on recent Federal Register notices on proposed form revisions, including Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Form I-821D, Application for Naturalization Form N-400, Application for Employment Authorization Form I-765 and more.
Sign-On Letter to President Obama on Immigration Enforcement Priorities
On 12/20/12, AILA joined 289 immigration, labor, faith, human rights, and community advocacy organizations in a sign-on letter to President Obama outlining recommendations for policy reforms in immigration enforcement and detention.
DREAMers File Lawsuit Challenging Michigan’s Policy Denying Driver’s Licenses
ACLU press release announcing that several Michigan residents have filed a lawsuit challenging the state of Michigan’s policy of denying driver’s licenses to immigrant youth whom the federal government has allowed to stay and work in the U.S.
AILA Takes Manhattan
The holiday season was in full swing in New York when AILA President-Elect Doug Stump and I “invaded“ the city last week. No stealth maneuvers here, this was a planned, coordinated campaign - we were there to talk to the press. Most of the reporters were people AILA Communications has been wor
DHS Federal Register Notice on DACA and Form I-821D (Updated 2/27/13)
DHS notice of information collection under review for 30 days for Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Comments are due 3/29/13. (78 FR 13370, 02/27/13)(77 FR 74488, 12/14/12)
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through December 13, 2012
USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 12/13/12 which shows a total of 355,889 accepted DACA requests for processing, 336,464 biometric services appointments scheduled, 157,151 requests under review, and 102,965 requests approved.
Summary of DACA Implementation Survey Results
Summary of responses to the DACA implementation survey conducted by AIC, IAN, and AILA. The results provide anecdotal information that shed light on the experiences some attorneys and accredited representatives have had with DACA implementation.
CA1 Issues Temporary Stay of Mandate to Allow Petitioner to Apply for DACA
The court upheld the denial of the petitioners’ motion to reopen their asylum case based on changed circumstances, but issued a 90-day stay of mandate to allow the son to apply for deferred action for childhood arrivals. (Gasparian v. Holder, 12/3/12)
USCIS Notice on Form I-131 Application for Travel Document
USCIS information collection notice on Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) so DACA recipients who need to travel outside U.S. based on humanitarian, employment or education reasons can request advance parole documents. Comments due 12/31/12. (77 FR 71432, 11/30/12)
AILA NBC Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes (11/30/12)
Meeting minutes from the AILA NBC Liaison Committee 11/30/12 meeting with NBC, including information on new NBC initiatives and staffing updates, I-601A waivers, I-864 initial evidence, CBP annotations, adjustment of status in removal proceedings, G-28s, and more.
ACLU Lawsuit Challenges Arizona Over DACA Driver License Denials
ACLU press release on a class-action lawsuit seeking to block Arizona Executive Order 2012-06, issued by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, which would deny driver's licenses to a specific class of immigrant youth who qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
AILA Brings Back the ILS Quarterly Newsletter (Vol. 1, Issue 1)
Check out the return of AILA’s Immigration Lawyer Search (ILS) Newsletter which highlights practice tips and statistics from www.ailalawyer.com.
MIRC Issue Brief: Michigan Drivers Licenses for DACA Grantees
This Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Issue Brief concludes that the position of the Michigan Secretary of State that DACA grantees are not "legally present" under Michigan law and are therefore are ineligible for drivers licenses is inconsistent with state and federal law.
Prosecutorial Discretion for the Families of Deferred Action Recipients
On the eve of Thanksgiving, I think I'm doing what most Americans do this time of year - I'm counting my blessings. I have so much to be thankful for - both in my personal life as well as my professional life. In my professional life, I find myself extremely thankful for several new policies imple
USCIS Filing Tips for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
USCIS fact sheet reminding people that consideration for deferred action for childhood arrivals involves several steps, including multiple forms, evidence and fees. This fact sheet provides tips to avoid having requests rejected or delayed because of common filing errors.
USCIS Guidance for Employers on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
USCIS fact sheet providing specific guidance to employers on the treatment of employment authorization documents (EADs) issued by USCIS to deferred action for childhood arrival (DACA) recipients and how employers should process Form I-9 in these cases.
AILA’s New Members Division Newsletter, November 2012 (Vol. 4, Issue 7)
In this issue, learn how to prepare your firm and clients for a natural disaster, see what AILA’s Colorado Chapter learned after hosting a DACA workshop, and get ten tips for representing an EB-5 investor.
AILA’s Pro Bono Newsletter, Fall 2012
In this issue, find out how AILA chapters and members are springing into DACA action, read about the 2012 Maggio Fellow’s amazing summer, and check out the new “Voices of Pro Bono” feature!
AILA/EOIR Liaison Meeting Minutes (11/15/12)
Official minutes from the AILA EOIR and OCAHO Liaison Committees’ meeting with EOIR on 11/15/12. Topics include publication of OCAHO decisions, OCAHO caseload, ICPM and court practices, telephonic hearings, bond hearings, asylum filings, regulatory updates, and more.
USCIS Data on DACA Cases Received Through November 15, 2012
USCIS statistics on DACA cases from 8/15/12 to 11/15/12 which shows a total of 298,834 accepted DACA requests for processing, 273,203 biometric services appointments scheduled, 124,572 requests under review, and 53,273 requests approved.
By Reelecting Barack Obama, the American People Have Demanded Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Originally posted on Huffington Post American voters chose to renew their contract with a President whose vision of economic vitality involves three distinct pillars — innovation, education and rebuilding of America's infrastructure. Nearly two years ago, during his 2011 State of the Union address,