DACA and Dreamers

The Issue

In 2001, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which would create a process for immigrants to apply for conditional residency that would lead to permanent residency based on their age when they entered the United States. Despite numerous reintroductions in each Congress from 2001 to 2023, the DREAM Act has failed to pass.

In June 2012, President Obama established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy by executive action. DACA allowed undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States at a young age to become eligible for a work permit, Social Security card, driver’s license, and deferred deportation. The Trump administration rescinded the policy in September 2017, but subsequent court decisions allowed the program to continue in some form. In 2022, the Biden administration published updated DACA regulations that seek to further strengthen the existing DACA program. The DACA program is now barred from accepting new applications, but current DACA recipients can apply to renew their status. ACE continues to advocate for permanent congressional legislation that would establish a program in statute.

Our Work

​Amicus Briefs, Letters, and More

Letter Urging 117th Congress to Protect Dreamers Before Adjourning
November 17, 2022
Letter Urging 117th Congress to Protect Dreamers Before Adjourning
Letter from ACE and other higher education associations to congressional leaders, encouraging them to pass legislation to protect Dreamers and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in the lame-duck session that ends next month.
Letter to Senate Judiciary Subcommittee for Hearing on Immigration and Higher Education
June 13, 2022
Letter to Senate Judiciary Subcommittee for Hearing on Immigration and Higher Education
Testimony for the record to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety for the June 14 hearing on “Strengthening our Workforce and Economy through Higher Education and Immigration.”
Comments on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Draft Rule
November 29, 2021
Comments on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Draft Rule
From ACE and 45 other higher education associations to the Department of Homeland Security in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals published in September 2021.
Letter of Support for the FY 2022 Budget Reconciliation Bill
September 9, 2021
Letter of Support for the FY 2022 Budget Reconciliation Bill
Letter to the House Education and Labor Committee in support of the investments this legislation makes in students, educators, and institutions, and requesting lawmakers to include funding to double the maximum Pell Grant award.
Letter to Congress Urging Support for Legislation to Protect DACA Recipients and Other Dreamers
August 4, 2021
Letter to Congress Urging Support for Legislation to Protect DACA Recipients and Other Dreamers
ACE and other associations urge Congress to permanently protect DACA recipients and Dreamers following the Texas court decision that found the Obama administration acted illegally in establishing DACA through executive action.
Key Immigration Priorities for the Higher Education Community in 2021
March 19, 2021
Key Immigration Priorities for the Higher Education Community in 2021
These key priorities will help guide the higher education community’s consideration of proposed immigration legislation as we work to modernize our immigration system.
Summary of the Higher Education Provisions in the U.S. Citizenship Act
February 25, 2021
Summary of the Higher Education Provisions in the U.S. Citizenship Act
The U.S. Citizenship Act was introduced Feb. 18, 2021, by Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Linda Sanchez. This bill follows a promise from President Biden that he would send an immigration package to Congress at the start of his administration.
Letter to Senate Leadership in Support of the Dream Act 2021
February 22, 2021
Letter to Senate Leadership in Support of the Dream Act 2021
The Dream Act would allow some undocumented young people, who have already invested in our country and in whom the country has already invested, to earn lawful permanent residence in the United States and ultimately a path to full citizenship.
Letter to Acting Secretary of Education on Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds
January 28, 2021
Letter to Acting Secretary of Education on Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds
ACE and other higher ed associations ask for clarification that emergency relief funds in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 can be used to help all students, including undocumented and international students.
Letter to Education Secretary-designate About Higher Education Priorities
January 26, 2021
Letter to Education Secretary-designate About Higher Education Priorities
Letter to Education Secretary-designate Miguel Cardona about the higher education community's priorities for the Biden administration, including additional emergency COVID-19 relief.
Executive Action Priorities for Higher Education Under the Biden Administration
November 19, 2020
Executive Action Priorities for Higher Education Under the Biden Administration
Letter to the Biden-Harris transition team on the Trump administration's executive actions of concern to students, educators, and institutions that could be reversed by the Biden administration.
Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court on the Trump Administration's Challenge to DACA
October 4, 2019
Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court on the Trump Administration's Challenge to DACA
ACE and 43 other higher education associations submitted this amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to affirm lower court decisions keeping in place the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy the Trump administration rescinded in 2017.
Letter From Colleges and Universities in Support of Dreamers
September 16, 2019
Letter From Colleges and Universities in Support of Dreamers
Over 600 institutions sent this letter to Congress urging a permanent legislative solution for the young, undocumented individuals brought to the United States as children.
Letter Urging Senate to Pass Legislation to Protect Dreamers
June 27, 2019
Letter Urging Senate to Pass Legislation to Protect Dreamers
Letter to Senate leadership requesting they make legislation to permanently protect Dreamers a priority.
Letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Dream Act and American Promise Act
May 22, 2019
Letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Dream Act and American Promise Act
Letter to the House Judiciary Committee in support of the Dream Act of 2019 (H.R. 2820) and the American Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 2821).
Letter to the House on the Dream and Promise Act of 2019
March 20, 2019
Letter to the House on the Dream and Promise Act of 2019
ACE and 37 other higher education organizations sent a letter to the House of Representatives in support of the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6).
Letter From College and University Presidents Urging Congress to Take Action to Protect Dreamers
October 19, 2017
Letter From College and University Presidents Urging Congress to Take Action to Protect Dreamers
More than 800 college and university presidents and chancellors sent a letter to Congress urging them to take action on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Letter to DHS Secretary Requesting DACA Deadline Extension for Hurricane Survivors
September 28, 2017
Letter to DHS Secretary Requesting DACA Deadline Extension for Hurricane Survivors
ACE President Ted Mitchell wrote to Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke asking for a short extension of the filing deadline and fee waivers for those individuals covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) p...
Talking Points and Other Resources on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
September 26, 2017
Talking Points and Other Resources on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
The Trump administration is in the process of phasing out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. These talking points and other material can be used as background information in discussing the status of DACA with members of Congress and others.
Letter to Congress on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
September 12, 2017
Letter to Congress on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
ACE and 78 other associations sent this letter urging Congress to pass legislation as soon as possible to permanently protect the nearly 800,000 individuals currently protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Issue Brief: Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
September 7, 2017
Issue Brief: Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
In the wake of the Trump administration’s rollback of Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA), ACE has prepared this issue brief detailing the key elements of the administration’s “DACA Rescission Memorandum” and how it will impact students and ca...

​Latest News

DACA Struck Down Again, but Protections Remain for Young Recipients
September 18, 2023
DACA Struck Down Again, but Protections Remain for Young Recipients
In a disappointing though widely expected move, Judge Andrew Hanen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas has ruled that the DACA program is unlawful, rejecting an effort to bolster the policy from the Biden administration.
dotEDU Live: New Rules from ED, Culture War Rhetoric Ramps Up, the End of the COVID Emergency, More
February 17, 2023
dotEDU Live: New Rules from ED, Culture War Rhetoric Ramps Up, the End of the COVID Emergency, More
In this live episode, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer take audience questions on a range of topics, from the Education Department moving quickly on new regulations to the House hearing on the “crisis” in American education to ChatGPT.
The Year in Higher Education Policy
December 21, 2022
The Year in Higher Education Policy
Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by ACE Senior Vice President Terry Hartle to discuss the federal policy developments in 2022 that impacted students and higher education institutions.
States Step in as Federal Action on Dreamers Goes Nowhere
December 8, 2022
States Step in as Federal Action on Dreamers Goes Nowhere
Political activist Tyler Montague and ACE’s Derrick Anderson visit the podcast to talk about Arizona’s newly passed Proposition 308, which gives in-state tuition for non-citizen residents of the state.
ACE, Higher Ed Groups: Pass Legislation Now to Protect Dreamers
November 18, 2022
ACE, Higher Ed Groups: Pass Legislation Now to Protect Dreamers
ACE and over 60 other higher education associations sent a letter Nov. 17 to House and Senate leaders urging them to make protecting Dreamers and the DACA program a priority, given recent court decisions declaring DACA illegal.
Appeals Court Says DACA Is Illegal but Keeps Program Alive
October 17, 2022
Appeals Court Says DACA Is Illegal but Keeps Program Alive
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was not lawful but preserved the district court’s stay, which permits current enrollees to continue renewing their status.
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals DACA Ruling
October 6, 2022
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals DACA Ruling
We are dismayed that this ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals continues to force hundreds of thousands of outstanding young Dreamers to live in fear and uncertainty.
Higher Ed Policy Predictions for the Fall
September 29, 2022
Higher Ed Policy Predictions for the Fall
Jon Fansmith and Terry Hartle are back to give their predictions for what Congress will dive into this fall before they adjourn ahead of midterm elections, including a continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of the year.
Final DACA Regulations Released by Biden Administration
August 30, 2022
Final DACA Regulations Released by Biden Administration
The Biden administration last week released the final version of regulations aiming to strengthen the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Final DACA Regulations
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Final DACA Regulations
We applaud this action by the Biden administration to preserve and fortify the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
DACA Is Now 10 Years Old. What Does the Future Hold?
June 13, 2022
DACA Is Now 10 Years Old. What Does the Future Hold?
June 15 marks 10 years since President Barack Obama announced an executive memorandum creating DACA, an initiative that has provided some protection and work authorization for over 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.
2021 in Higher Education Policy (A Good Year, Not a Great One)
December 16, 2021
2021 in Higher Education Policy (A Good Year, Not a Great One)
ACE Senior Vice President Terry Hartle reviews the higher education policy successes and failures of 2021, and what we can expect from Congress and the administration in 2022.
ACE, 45 Other Groups Praise Biden Administration’s Effort to “Protect and Fortify” DACA
November 29, 2021
ACE, 45 Other Groups Praise Biden Administration’s Effort to “Protect and Fortify” DACA
ACE and 45 other higher education associations have submitted sent comments​ to the Department of Homeland Security on the draft rules released in September to strengthen the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Reconciliation Legislation Agreement
October 28, 2021
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Reconciliation Legislation Agreement
We are appreciative of the higher education support that is included in this legislation and will work closely with the administration and Congress to build on this beginning.
What’s Going on With Budget Reconciliation, and Why Should Higher Ed Care?
September 23, 2021
What’s Going on With Budget Reconciliation, and Why Should Higher Ed Care?
ACE Senior Vice President Terry Hartle and dotedu host Sarah Spreitzer unpack where Congress stands on reconciliation and what it means for students and institutions.
House Committee Approves Substantial Increases for Higher Education Programs, Student Aid in Reconciliation Bill
September 13, 2021
House Committee Approves Substantial Increases for Higher Education Programs, Student Aid in Reconciliation Bill
The House Education and Labor Committee has advanced its portion of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, proposing to invest roughly $111 billion in higher education programs and federal student aid.
Senate Budget Blueprint Includes Support for Free Community College, Other Higher Ed Priorities
August 16, 2021
Senate Budget Blueprint Includes Support for Free Community College, Other Higher Ed Priorities
In quick succession last week, the Senate passed its long-awaited $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package and a budget resolution that includes free community college, support for HBCUs, and a path to citizenship for Dreamers.
 dotEDU Brief: Broadband Access, Free Community College, Support for Dreamers All on the Table
August 13, 2021
dotEDU Brief: Broadband Access, Free Community College, Support for Dreamers All on the Table
The hosts discuss the Senate’s $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package which includes support for expanding broadband access, before diving into the FY 2022 budget resolution and its provisions for free community college and more for higher ed.
Higher Education, Business Leaders Continue to Urge Help for Dreamers From White House, Congress
August 9, 2021
Higher Education, Business Leaders Continue to Urge Help for Dreamers From White House, Congress
ACE and 60 other higher education groups ask congressional leaders to quickly pass legislation to permanently protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Dreamers.
Episode 39: A Conversation With NASPA’s SA: Voices From the Field Podcast
March 25, 2021
Episode 39: A Conversation With NASPA’s SA: Voices From the Field Podcast
Jon and Sarah are joined for a special crossover episode by Jill Creighton to talk about how COVID-19 has affected student life, the impact Title IX regulations are having on campuses and the future of those regulations, and other issues.
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on House Passage of the American Dream and Promise Act
March 18, 2021
Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on House Passage of the American Dream and Promise Act
We applaud the House for approving the American Dream and Promise Act, which would enact long-needed permanent protections for Dreamers, those bright and talented individuals brought to this country as children.
 
 
 


The Remember the Dreamers campaign is working to focus Congress on finding a legislative solution for Dreamers and DACA recipients. Working together, the higher education community plays a vital role in both advocating for and assisting these young people, many of whom are students on our campuses.

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​Together We Can


Together we can champion equity, secure a path to citizenship, advocate for doubling the Pell Grant, strengthen campus mental health, support international students, and improve global relationships. Learn more about how we can—together.

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