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
Year End Immigration Roundup And What To Expect In 2012
When it comes to immigration, 2011 will be remembered as the year Alabama enacted HB56, the most mean spirited state immigration law in U.S. history. It targets Latinos and other people of color and effectively mandates racial profiling by state law enforcement agents. Since it went into effect last
Iowa Poll Shows Likely Caucus-Goers Favor Immigration Solutions, Not Pat Sound Bites
Remember Pete Wilson? JD Hayworth? Tom Tancredo? That's what I thought. These guys are a few of the politicians whose anti-immigrant agenda played a big part in the demise of their political fortunes. And the list continues to grow. Just ask former Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce, author of A
The Cost Of Doing Business Under Alabama’s Immigration Law
You can't make this stuff up. A foreign executive from Mercedes-Benz gets arrested in Alabama and charged criminally under the state's new immigration law. Was he alien smuggling? Drug trafficking? Committing a violent crime? Nope. He left his visa in his hotel room. Under Alabama's new immigration
The Issue Has Not Changed
By: Ally Bolour, AILA Media-Advocacy Committee Two seemingly unrelated events happened recently that reaffirmed my belief in legal immigration. First, I attended a panel discussion on Secure Communities co-sponsored by the American Immigration Council and my alma mater, Southwestern Law School in Lo
Lamar Smith Tries To “HALT!” Smart Enforcement
House Judiciary Committee Chair Lamar Smith (R-TX) is in a position to do great things for America. For the good of our country, he can rise above the partisan rancor that paralyzes Washington, roll up his sleeves, get to work, and fashion an immigration overhaul that will protect American worke
CIS Ombudsman Recommendation on USCIS Deferred Action Processing
A 7/11/11 CIS Ombudsman recommendation to USCIS outlining the steps for USCIS to improve the processing of deferred action requests, such as by issuing public guidance on the procedures for making deferred action requests, and by conducting an inventory of pending requests.
Not Letting Go Of The Dream
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill) just won't let it go. And that's a good thing when it comes to the DREAM Act, a bill that will provide a pathway to immigration compliance to thousands of undocumented students and young adults. Fueled by his passion for justice, Durbin is determined to see the DREAM Ac
Hey Kid, Show Me Your Papers
By David Leopold and Eleanor Pelta Remember Kindergarten? For us it was long time ago, but we both still have vivid memories of our teachers, some of the other kids of the class, and, of course, the playground. It can be frightening for young children to start school and learn to separate from the
AILA Dream Defenders
I am thrilled to announce AILA Dream Defenders! AILA Dream Defenders or “AD2“ is a collaborative effort between AILA, United We Dream, the National Immigration Project, and the National Immigration Law Center. Our goal is to establish an effective pro bono program for DREAMERs across the Unit
Welcome to VOICE 2.0: January/February 2011
AILA’s VOICE: An Immigration Dialogue kicks off 2011 with a new, dynamic platform. The January/February 2011 issue features articles on strict DMV policies, finding a job, the DREAM debate, keeping resolutions—and much more!
Letter From Immigration Jail
This is a difficult moment for the DREAMers. The Senate has failed them, and the nation. Make no mistake, the DREAM Act will become law one day. And, so too, will there be a humane and sensible immigration policy. What we need are national leaders who care more about America than their political
Keep the DREAM Alive
By Karol Brown Wednesday night, I cheered when I heard that the U.S. House of Representatives approved the DREAM Act by a vote of 216 to 198. Yesterday, the Senate postponed their efforts to proceed with their version of the DREAM Act by a vote of 59 to 40. Several news outlets have misinterpreted t
VOICE: December 2010
The December issue of VOICE: An Immigration Dialogue features articles on Padilla, the new naturalization certificate and IJs, Kurzban’s haiku contest—and more! Also, meet the first Face of AILA and learn all about a new member benefit!
Black Friday is for DREAMers!
Guest blog by Mo Goldman, AILA Board of Governors Black Friday is for DREAMers! What is the universal color for hope? Is it white? Is it green? Is it black? Perhaps, like our draconian immigration laws, the color of hope is just different shades of grey. No matter what color you associate with
Dreams of DREAM
The United States of America is the result of an audacious dream. At a time when kings and queens were the norm a group of radicals dreamed of a place where the will of the people would govern; a radical and dangerous concept at the time. And ever since, dreaming has defined our political and [̷
Draft USCIS SOP for Granting Deferred Action
Draft USCIS standard operating procedures for handling requests for deferred action.
If Your Law Practice Includes Immigration At All, You Should Be There
How do I: 1. Find out what to do when USCIS says NVC has the file, and NVC says it doesn't? 2. Get a step-by-step rundown of how to fill out a Form I-129 and document it? 3. Find the hidden time bombs in an affidavit of support? 4. Obtain the low-down on what to […]
Immigration and Senator Specter
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) (Wow, that looks weird), just changed parties, and this changes the dyanmic somewhat for immigration reform this year. While Senator Specter has always been considered a friend of immigration and immigration reform, he has long been under pressure from more conservative