LET'S IMPROVE THE DREAM!
Improve The Dream is advocating to fix a loophole that forces American raised and educated children of legal immigrants to leave America after they turn 21.
CHILDREN
of long-term visa holders located in the US.
Average age
when brought to the United States by parents.
average years
spent growing up and contributing in the US.
STEM
are pursuing or have earned a STEM/healthcare degree.
net fiscal benefit
to the US if children of legal immigrants are allowed to stay and contribute.
Fixing a gap in the legal immigration system
Improve The Dream is a grassroots organization led by immigrants who grew up legally in the United States as children of long-term visa holders, advocating to fix a flaw in the immigration system that forces them to leave the United States after they turn 21.
Over 250,000+ children and young adults have been lawfully raised here while their families have lived here on long-term visas as skilled workers and small business owners. These children have:
- Grown up in American communities
- Attended American schools and colleges
- Built their lives entirely in America
Current immigration laws leave children on dependent visas without a path forward once they turn 21. Even if raised and educated lawfully, decades-long green card backlogs mean many turn 21 before their parents receive green cards, and face leaving the only country they know.
Our solution
To pass the America’s Children Act. This would allow the United States to retain homegrown, skilled talent educated here — rather than losing American-raised talent to global competitors.
Meet Hilary →
hilary's story
"My parents brought me and my siblings to the US from South Korea when I was just ten months old. I feel American and I grew up just like my American friends around me. I only wish that I could also have the same opportunities as them."
Read MoreMeet Anagh →
anagh's story
"Any casual observer watching me live my life wouldn’t notice any differences between my life and any other American student’s."
Read MoreMeet Padma →
Padma's story
"When I was 8 months old, I took a life changing flight from India to the Boston. It was the beginning of my life in America — the only life I’ve ever known."
Read MoreMeet Summer →
Summer's story
"In the spring of 2000, not long after I turned a year old, my young and ambitious parents moved to Florida. When I turned 21, I had to leave my family, friends, and unfinished college degree to go to a country where I only spent the first year of my life."
Read Moreread news articles
Read featured news articles below. For press inquiries, please contact info@improvethedream.org.
watch news videos
Watch videos reporting on dependent-visa youth, with features tracking advocacy and reform efforts.
Get Involved
are you one of us?
If “dependent visa” is part of your story, you belong here — connect with peers, learn your options, and plug into the movement.
- Are you a (former) child dependent on a long-term visa holder?
- Are you aging out or have already aged out?
- Are you looking for support in your immigration journey?
If you answered yes to any of these, click below.
