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
CA9 Affirms Preliminary Injunction Requiring DHS to Adjudicate DACA Renewal Applications
The court issued an opinion affirming the district court’s 1/9/18 entry of a preliminary injunction requiring DHS to adjudicate renewal applications for existing DACA recipients. (Regents of the University of California v. DHS, 11/8/18)
On Election Day…Vote for All of Us
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson urges everyone eligible to vote and to participate in the #MyImmigrantHistory campaign, writing, “Tomorrow is a chance to exercise our rights as Americans, and to vote not just for our issue but for a future that all Americans can see themselves in.“
Bite-Sized Ethics: Advising Clients on DACA Given its Uncertain Future
An estimated 700,000 people have been granted DACA since the program’s start. With the current administration’s efforts at immigration enforcement, this article from AILA’s PPC discusses how immigration attorneys must be more aware than ever of their ethical duties in advising DACA clients.
USCIS Performance Data on DACA Applications Through September 2018
USCIS provides statistics on I-821D DACA applications, broken down by intake, case status, and whether the application was an initial or renewal application for FY2012 through FY2018. The FY2018 data is broken down by quarter.
USCIS Provides Data on Active DACA Recipients as of August 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on active DACA recipients as of August 31, 2018, by country of birth.
USCIS Provides Approximate Number of Active DACA Recipients as of August 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on the approximate number of active DACA recipients, as well as the number with a renewal pending, broken down by month and year of their current DACA expiration date, as of August 31, 2018.
USCIS Provides Data on Pending DACA Applications as of August 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on the approximate number of DACA renewals pending with expired DACA and the approximate number of DACA initial applications pending, as of August 31, 2018.
Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction, Preserving DACA For Now
On June 18, 2020, following the SCOTUS decision, Judge Hanen issued an order staying the case for 30 days, and that "at that time, the parties are to file a joint status report setting out their respective positions given that ruling and an agreed schedule to resolve this matter.”
USCIS Performance Data on DACA Applications Through August 2018
USCIS statistics on I-821D DACA applications, broken down by intake, case status, and whether the application was an initial or renewal application for FY2012 through the third quarter of FY2018 plus August 2018. The FY2018 data is broken down by quarter.
DOJ Issues Statement on Court Order Ordering the Restoration of DACA Program
Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a statement in response to the court order in the D.C. District Court, ordering the restoration of the DACA program, stating, “The Department of Justice will take every lawful measure to vindicate the Department of Homeland Security’s lawful rescission of DACA.”
USCIS Provides Data on Active DACA Recipients as of July 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on active DACA recipients as of July 31, 2018, by country of birth, by state or territory of residence, by core based statistical area, by gender, by age, and by marital status.
USCIS Provides Approximate Number of Active DACA Recipients as of July 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on the approximate number of active DACA recipients, broken by month and year of their current DACA expiration date, as of July 31, 2018.
USCIS Provides Data on Pending DACA Applications as of July 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on the approximate number of DACA renewals pending with expired DACA and the approximate number of DACA initial applications pending, as of July 31, 2018.
Law Student Perspective: The Elimination of Immigration Programs by Presidential Edict
Law Student member Stefanie Schreck provides updates on several immigration programs.
USCIS Updates NTA Policy Guidance to Support DHS Enforcement Priorities
USCIS issued updated guidance that aligns its policy for issuing Form I-862, Notice to Appear, with the immigration enforcement priorities of DHS.
USCIS Issues Policy Memo on NTAs for Cases Involving DACA Recipients
USCIS released a policy memo, with guidance effective immediately, that confirms and clarifies which Notice to Appear (NTA) and referral policies apply to past or pending DACA requestors when processing a DACA request or DACA-related benefit request.
USCIS Issues Policy Memo with Updated Guidance for the Referral of Cases and Issuance of NTAs
USCIS issued a policy memo outlining how its Notice to Appear (NTA) and referral policies implement DHS removal priorities.
Memo from DHS Regarding Decision to Rescind DACA Policy
On 6/22/18, Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen issued a memorandum, in response to the court’s request for a more elaborate explanation for rescinding DACA, concurring with and declining to disturb Acting Secretary Duke’s decision to rescind the DACA policy.
Tearing Down the Wall and Building Bridges
This blog post is adapted from the president's installation speech given by Anastasia Tonello, June 14, 2018 in San Francisco; she shares her message to AILA members and goals for her presidential year.
H.R. 6136: Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018
H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018, would create an avenue for Dreamers to obtain green cards, increase border security funding, eliminate the Diversity Visa lottery program, and reform family immigration and asylum laws.
USCIS Announces New Data Released on Criminal Arrest Histories of DACA Requestors
USCIS announced it had released data on arrests of DACA requestors. USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna claimed, “There are legitimate concerns over a portion of the population who have requested, and been granted, the privilege of a temporary stay of their removal under the illegal DACA policy.”
AILA: Once Again, Congress Holds DREAMers Hostage
As Congress gears up to vote on two immigration bills next week, AILA President Anastasia Tonello and Executive Director Ben Johnson raise serious concerns about the provisions which would, among other things, severely cut legal immigration, undermine vital protections for vulnerable populations.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Urges Congress to Protect Dreamers
On 6/6/18, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urged the House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation to permanently protect Dreamers. The organization also encouraged Congress to reject proposals that would reduce legal migration and ensure those with work authorization can continue to work.
USCIS Provides Data on DACA Requestors with IDENT Response for Arrests or Apprehensions
USCIS provided data from 2012 to 2018 on DACA requestors who received an Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) response due to arrests or apprehensions for criminal or immigration-related offenses, broken down by type and number of offenses and whether application was approved or denied.
USCIS Provides Data on Active DACA Recipients as of May 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on active DACA recipients as of May 31, 2018, by country of birth, by state or territory of residence, by core based statistical area, by gender, by age, and by marital status.