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
USCIS Provides Approximate Number of Active DACA Recipients as of May 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 May 31, 2018.
USCIS Provides Data on Pending DACA Applications as of May 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 May 31, 2018.
USCIS Provides Data on Characteristics of DACA Requestors
In response to a 1/16/18 letter from Rep. Steve King (R-IA), USCIS provided data on characteristics of DACA requestors, including their age, education level, country of birth, and criminal history, among other characteristics.
A Critical Moment for Leadership to Protect Dreamers
AILA Director of Government Relations Greg Chen highlights the efforts on Capitol Hill to force a vote in the House of Representatives on a bill to protect Dreamers, urging readers to take action and reach out to Congress on this important issue.
11 Ways Employers Can Support DACA Employees, Interns, and Contractors
FWD.us provides a handout with 11 concrete ways employers can support their DACA recipient employees, interns, and contractors in a time of uncertainty.
LGBTI DACA Recipients and Options for Relief under Asylum Law
As the future of DACA recipients remains uncertain, practitioners who work with DACA recipients should explore permanent relief options for this vulnerable population. This advisory from CLINIC discusses LGBTI claims for asylum, withholding or removal and protection under the CAT.
CRS Legal Sidebar: District Court Enjoins DACA Phase-Out - Explanation and Takeaways
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides a Legal Sidebar on district court decisions that enjoined DACA, including NAACP v. Trump that vacated the DACA rescission and remanded it to DHS but stayed the vacatur order for 90 days. The Legal Sidebar provides an explanation and takeaways.
FOIA Response for USCIS Field Office Policy Guidance Related to Emergency Advance Parole
In response to AILA’s FOIA request, USCIS provides undated guidance for USCIS Field Offices pertaining to emergency advance parole. Please note, USCIS no longer approves advance parole requests relating to DACA cases.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill Heard from AILA Loud and Clear, but there is More to Do!
AILA Associate Director of Government Relations Diane Rish reflects on AILA's National Day of Action and shares how AILA members and the public can continue making their voices heard on important immigration law and policy issues that matter to them.
Highlighting the Real People in the DACA Stories
AILA member Christopher Kerosky shares an update on the MyAmericanDreams Film Project and asks for help reaching out to stations who can show the documentary which informs viewers about the importance of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its impact on people's lives.
AILA ICE Liaison Committee Meeting Q&As (4/12/18)
Official Q&As from the 4/12/18 AILA liaison meeting with ICE. Topics include information on staffing and organizational updates, family separation, DACA, withholding of removal/travel documents, arrests at courthouses, gang membership, ISAP, detention, U visas, and post order issues.
CRS Report with an Overview of Discretionary Reprieves from Removal
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) issued a report on discretionary reprieves from removal, discussing the primary sources of authority and describes, in general, the nature of the protections that they confer. The report includes a glossary of the principal types of discretionary reprieves.
USCIS Provides Data on Active DACA Recipients as of March 31, 2018
USCIS provided data on active DACA recipients as of March 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 Data on Pending DACA Applications as of March 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 March 31, 2018.
USCIS Provides Approximate Number of Active DACA Recipients as of March 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 March 31, 2018.
P.L. 115-141: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018
On 3/23/18, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (H.R. 1625) to fund the government until September 30, 2018.
Congress Set to Approve Funding Deal, Leaves Dreamers Out in the Cold
With Congress set to approve billions of additional funding for immigration enforcement as part of the spending package funding the federal government through September 30, AILA President Annaluisa Padilla noted, “It is absolutely shameful that there is no solution for Dreamers in this legislation.”
Dismantling the “Invisible Wall” Against Legal Immigration, Brick by Brick
In this blog post, AILA Associate Director of Government Relations Diane Rish shares information about AILA's documenting of the Trump administration's “Invisible Wall“ of policies against legal immigration and how AILA members and the public can work together to tear the wall down.
The Deportation Machine Destroys Lives
Kate Voigt, chief editor of AILA's new report, Cogs in the Deportation Machine, highlights how “the administration has gone to great lengths to deport as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, with little regard for the financial cost or the impact upon American communities.“
H.Res. 774: “Queen-of-the-Hill” Resolution on Dreamers
On 3/13/18, Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA) introduced H.Res.774 with 17 original Republican cosponsors. The resolution would require the U.S. House of Representatives to consider four bills under a “Queen of the Hill” rule to address Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
AILA Quicktake #237: DACA Deadline Passes
AILA's Director of Government Relations Greg Chen shares where things stand with the DACA program now that the March 5 deadline has passed and looks ahead to the spending bill that must be passed by March 23 to fund the government.
DHS States USCIS Is Adjudicating DACA Renewals in Compliance with Court Injunctions
DHS issued a press statement on DACA, stating that in compliance with court injunctions, USCIS is adjudicating requests for DACA renewals as they are submitted but is not accepting requests from individuals not previously granted deferred action under DACA.
CRS Report: Explanation and Takeaways on District Court Cases Related to DACA Phase-Out
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides a Legal Sidebar with information on the impact of recent litigation related to the DACA phase-out.
Helping DACA Recipients Renew
In this blog post, Sheila Starkey Hahn, chair of AILA's National Pro Bono Committee, highlights how helping with DACA renewal clinics and advocating for the Dream Act can change lives, writing “Let's show everyone again that #AILAStandsWithDreamers.“
California District Court Enjoins Termination of an Individual’s DACA Status Without Notice
A federal district court in California issued an order preliminarily enjoining the government from terminating an individual’s DACA status without notice, a reasoned explanation, and an opportunity to be heard. (Inland Empire – Immigrant Youth Collective v. Nielsen, 2/26/18)