Secure Borders.
Lawful Work.
Legal Residence.
The revised American Dream Act proposes screened, renewable noncitizen residence and work authorization. It provides no pathway to citizenship. Separate constitutional proposals address voting and citizenship at birth.
What Is the Revised American Dream Act?
A residence-and-work proposal for qualifying long-term residents, with permanent naturalization bars, individual screening, and an approved-country requirement. Revised November 11, 2026.
Border Security
Modernizes border screening and prioritizes serious criminal and security threats.
Rule of Law
Requires verified identity, admissibility checks, tax compliance, and review of each application.
Lawful Work
Provides work authorization and renewable residence for approved participants.
Family Applications
Spouses and dependent children must independently meet nationality and screening requirements.
Country Criteria
Limits participation to a published approved list, with three express exclusions.
The proposed lifetime voting bar after unlawful entry and the two-citizen-parent birth rule would require separate Article V ratification. Read the companion proposals and drafting notes.
Eligibility
Residence history alone would not qualify an applicant. Nationality, individual admissibility, contribution, and tax requirements also apply.
Review Eligibility- At least 10 years of residence immediately before enactment and presence on that date.
- Federal tax compliance or an approved arrangement.
- Qualifying work or other contribution, or an authorized exception.
- An approved nationality and no excluded current nationality.
- Identity, criminal, security, immigration-history, and admissibility checks.
- Permanent naturalization ineligibility upon receipt of program status.
Residency Process
The draft provides an initial provisional period and renewable residence. No step leads to naturalization under the proposed program.
Apply and Be Screened
Eligible long-term residents from approved countries could apply after implementation.
Receive Lawful Status
Approved applicants would receive three years of provisional residence and work authorization.
Renew Residence
After three years, qualifying participants could obtain renewable five-year noncitizen residence.
Remain a Noncitizen
Program participation would create a permanent naturalization bar. The program grants no voting rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the revised draft provide citizenship?
No. It replaces the previous citizenship pathway with renewable noncitizen residence and a permanent statutory naturalization bar. Read Title VI.
Which countries would be eligible?
The approved list has not yet been selected. It must be published under defined criteria. The draft excludes current nationals of the People's Republic of China, Somalia, and Haiti, including dual nationals. Read the country rules.
Does unlawful entry mean losing voting eligibility forever?
That is the policy of Companion B, a proposed constitutional amendment. It requires a final individual unlawful-entry determination and ratification before operation. Existing federal noncitizen-voting restrictions continue to apply. Read Companion B.
Would both parents have to be U.S. citizens?
Companion A proposes that requirement for citizenship at birth in the United States. It would apply only to births after ratification and its effective date. Read Companion A.
View All FAQs
Can anyone apply now?
No. This is an independent legislative discussion draft and has no legal effect. No applications are open.
What would the program cost?
The draft retains up to $2,000 in initial special assessments, with installments and waivers. Future residence-renewal fees would be set by published regulation. Read the fee provisions.
Does the new proposal revoke existing citizenship?
No. The draft protects citizenship already held at enactment, and Companion B protects people who are already citizens when it is ratified. Review these drafting choices.
Stay Informed
Review the latest discussion draft and share your views with your representative.
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