As expected, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are making a last-ditch effort to push a bill through Congress that guarantees a legal path to citizenship for immigrant children.

Thus, the 2025 Dream Act marks the last version of the bill since the bipartisan bill was originally introduced in 2001. The legislation, which has been introduced several times but never passed, would allow Dreamers (or non-citizens without legal status who were brought to the U.S. as children) to apply for citizenship if they meet military, educational, or employment requirements. Following the news, the American Business Immigration Action Coalition (ABIC Action) applauded the reintroduction of the 2025 Bipartisan Dream Act, calling it vital legislation that would allow non-citizens without legal status who came to the United States as children and who meet certain requirements to obtain lawful permanent residence. “These individuals, known as Dreamers, have grown up in our communities, attended our schools, and contribute to our economy. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and their households contribute $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in “They pay state and local taxes every year. However, under current law, they often lack the opportunity to become citizens and reach their full potential,” ABIC Action stated.

They highlight the importance of Dreamers to the economy

“Dreamers are law-abiding taxpayers, essential to the strength of our economy and communities. Their work generates billions of dollars in tax revenue and supports businesses across the country. Dismissing these essential workers would not only disrupt our workplaces and neighborhoods, but would also undermine America’s global competitiveness.“We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to deliver lasting solutions that protect our workforce and bring stability to our communities,” said Rebecca Shi, executive director of the American Business Immigration Coalition. Craig J. Duchossois, a member of the American Business Immigration Coalition’s Board of Directors and chairman emeritus of Duchossois Capital Management (DCM), said, “As business leaders, we know that America’s economic vitality depends on a stable, legal workforce, and Dreamers are a critical part of that equation. Their contributions, both as employees and entrepreneurs, sustain jobs and drive growth across all sectors.” It is time for Congress to act and ensure that these young people can continue to contribute to our shared prosperity.”

For its part, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) applauded the announcement by Senators Dick Durbin, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Alex Padilla regarding the reintroduction of the 2025 DREAM Act, arguing that “This legislation would create a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and young immigrants, as well as some individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).”

“We applaud the reintroduction of the bipartisan DREAM Act and demand that Congress work to pass it and put millions of undocumented youth and DACA recipients—many of them adults with families and careers—on the path to the citizenship they deserve,” it continued.

This year, I have witnessed the worst attacks against immigrant communities in my 30 years of working with them. The DACA program was designed to empower to undocumented youth and protect them from deportation; however, we have seen them persecuted, arrested, and detained. Now more than ever, Congress can act to provide permanent protection to nearly 2 million people.”