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 Quicktake #267: The American Dream and Promise Act Passes the House of Representatives
The American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide protection from deportation and a path to citizenship to over 2 million Dreamers and TPS and DED recipients, passed the House. AILA's Associate Director of Government Relations Kate Voigt discusses the significance of this landmark bill.
AILA Issues Vote Recommendation on H.R. 6
AILA urges members of Congress to vote YES on Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard’s (D-CA) American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6), which would offer Dreamers and TPS/DED recipients protection from deportation and allow contribution to economic growth.
House Passes the American Dream and Promise Act
AILA applauds the passage of the American Dream and Promise Act in the House of Representatives.
H.R. 6: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019
On March 12, 2019, Rep. Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced H.R. 6 to allow Dreamers, TPS recipients, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients to apply for permanent legal status. On June 4, 2019, H.R. 6 passed the House of Representatives by a recorded vote of 237–187. AILA endorses this bill.
Supreme Court Rejects Government’s Request to Fast Track DACA Case
In a one-sentence order, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s motion to expedite consideration of the petition for a writ of certiorari. (DHS, et al. v. Casa de Maryland, et al., 6/3/19)
AILA Issues Statement to House Judiciary Committee on Markup of H.R. 2820 and H.R. 2821
AILA submitted a statement urging the House Judiciary Committee to pass H.R. 2820, Dream Act of 2019, and H.R. 2821, American Promise Act of 2019. These bills would provide Dreamers and TPS recipients with permanent legal status and a path to citizenship.
Moving on Dream and Temporary Protected Status Is the Right Path
AILA urged Congress to move forward legislation to offer permanent legal status for “Dreamers” – young people brought to America as children – and the thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders whose protections have been put in jeopardy.
Sign-On Letter to House Judiciary Committee on Permanent Protection for Dreamers, TPS, and DED
On 5/21/19, AILA and 400 organizations signed on in support of a letter to the House Judiciary Committee urging Congress to ensure passage of permanent protections for Dreamers, as well as TPS and DED holders, without further delays.
CA4 Finds DHS’s Rescission of DACA Violated the APA
The court reversed in part the district court and remanded, holding that the government’s decision to rescind the DACA policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), because it was not adequately explained and thus was arbitrary and capricious. (Casa de Maryland v. DHS, 5/17/19)
Advocacy in Action: Congress Demands Answers from USCIS
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Fiona McEntee reflects on NDA 2019 and the successful effort to have Congress hold USCIS accountable for crisis-level processing delays.
USCIS Releases Data on Approximate Number of Pending DACA Applications
USCIS released a report on the approximate number of pending DACA renewal applications with expired DACA, and an approximate number of DACA initial applications pending as of 4/30/19.
USCIS Releases Demographical Data on Approximate Active DACA Recipients
USCIS released data on the approximate number of active DACA recipients by birth, state or territory of residence, core based statistical area, sex, age, and marital status. This report contains data through 4/30/19.
USCIS Provides Approximate Count of DACA Receipts Since January 2018 Injunction
USCIS provided the approximate count, as of 4/30/19, of DACA applications received since 1/10/18, the day after a district court directed the government to partially maintain the DACA program. The count is broken down by DACA expiration date and adjudicative status (approved, denied, and pending).
AILA Quicktake #261: Democrats Introduce the Dream and Promise Act
AILA’s Associate Director of Government Relation Kate Voigt discusses H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, which would allow certain undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, commonly known as Dreamers, and immigrants with TPS to apply for permanent legal status.
CA11 Upholds Policy That Bars DACA Recipients from Attending Selective Universities in Georgia
The court upheld the policy of the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia that bars the enrollment of DACA recipients in selective state universities, finding that the policy had a rational basis and was not preempted by federal law. (Estrada v. Becker, 3/6/19)
AILA Issues Statement for House Judiciary Hearing on Protecting Dreamers and TPS Recipients
AILA submitted a statement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration for the March 6, 2019, hearing on “Protecting Dreamers and TPS Recipients.”
Black Immigrant History is Part of Black History Month
In this blog post, part of the AILA Diversity & Inclusion series, AILA Second Vice President Allen Orr recognizes Black History Month, shares important research and analysis, and writes, “In the drive for immigration reform, black immigrants must not be forgotten or left out of the equation.“
Bicameral Letter to DHS and USCIS on DACA Recipients’ Eligibility for Advance Parole
On 2/12/19, U.S. Senators and Representatives sent a letter to DHS and USCIS asking for information about DACA recipients’ eligibility for advance parole to travel internationally.
AILA Policy Brief: Trump Shutdown Bill Full of Extreme Restrictionist Provisions
The “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act” bill should be rejected as representing hardline restrictionist views, rather than a genuine attempt at compromise. It would provide weak DACA and TPS protections, ramp up funding for enforcement, and all but eliminate asylum for certain minors.
End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act: What’s Wrong with the Trump-McConnell Bill
AILA Member Sabrina Damast highlights the damaging provisions in the bill supported by the administration to end the shutdown which would negatively impact Dreamers, TPS-recipients, and asylum seekers.
Damaging Bill Is a Bait-and-Switch on Immigration
A bill slated for introduction in the Senate would fund President Trump’s border wall, but as AILA notes, it also includes many extreme provisions impacting asylum law, Temporary Protected Status holders, and more, that go far beyond what the president laid out in his recent speech.
AILA Quicktake #257: Senate Introduces Its Spending Bill
Greg Chen, Director of AILA's Government Relations, discusses the spending bill introduced by the Senate late Monday night. The bill includes many concerning provisions regarding DACA, TPS, and asylum policy.
Leader Pelosi Issues Statement on Immigration Priorities for the 116th Congress
On 12/1/18, leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released a statement on the House Democratic Majority’s commitment to protect Dreamers and TPS recipients, as well as holding the administration for their “zero tolerance policy” which resulted in the separation of parents and children, in the 116th Congress.
CHC Urges Leader Pelosi to Protect Dreamers and TPS Recipients Within First 100 Days of the 116th Congress
On 11/29/18, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) urged Leader Pelosi (D-CA) to bring legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to a vote within the first 100 days of the 116th Congress.
AILA Calls on Leader Nancy Pelosi to Protect Dreamers and TPS Recipients within First 100 Days of the 116th Congress
On 11/27/18, AILA sent a letter to Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on the need to pass legislation to protect Dreamers and recipients of TPS within the first 100 days of the 116th Congress. AILA also urged opposing funds to build a border wall, increase detention beds and additional CBP agents.