About Us
Improve The Dream is a non-profit, non-partisan organization advocating for immigrants raised in the United States as dependents of long-term visa holders through education, engagement, and resources.
IMPROVE THE DREAM IS ADVOCATING FOR FIXES TO LEGAL IMMIGRATION
Due to various issues in the immigration system, many children of long-term visa holders raised and educated in America may be unable to become citizens.
According to Improve The Dream's survey, we arrived in the United States at an average age of 5 and have lived here for over 12 years. More than 99% of us pursue higher education, with 87% focusing on STEM and healthcare fields.
We are advocating for lasting change to end "aging-out" and ensure American raised and educated children have a pathway to stay and contribute here.
current issues
How outdated laws affect children of long-term visa holders growing up in the United States.
Congress should explore all options to fix the loophole that allows “aging out” for future child dependents of long-term visa holders.
Children of long-term visa holders face aging out of the system due to two main reasons: green card backlogs and visas without a path to permanent residency. Country caps on green cards have created decades-long delays—many children brought to the United States as infants are still waiting 21 years later. When they turn 21, they lose dependent status and face having to leave the country. Others, namely children of E-2 visa holders, also age out despite living in the United States legally for years. These youth, raised and educated as Americans, contribute to their communities and economy, yet face leaving the country due to lack of residency. The bipartisan America’s Children Act, introduced by Representatives Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rand Paul (R-KY), would provide age-out protections and a path to permanent residency for those who meet strict criteria. It would also allow work authorization for qualifying dependents, helping retain over $100 billion in net fiscal benefits.
Address the root causes of aging out and ensure long-term lawful residents are able to stay in the country and receive an attainable path to citizenship.
Children of long-term visa holders, known as Documented Dreamers, face aging out of the system due to two main reasons: green card backlogs and visas without a path to residency. Country caps on green cards have created decades-long delays—some children brought to the United States as infants are still waiting 21 years later. When they turn 21, they lose dependent status and face possible deportation. Others, like children of E-2 visa holders, also age out despite living in the United States legally for years. These youth, raised as Americans, contribute to their communities and economy—yet face self-deportation.
frequently asked questions
Quick answers to help you understand the challenges and solutions for children of long-term visa holders.
What is the journey of growing up for an average child dependent of a long-term visa holder in the United States?
See the flowchart below for an idea of the average journey:
How is it possible for someone who grows up in the United States with a legal status to not have a clear path to citizenship?
Many immigrants and their children come to the United States under legal nonimmigrant visas such as the H1B or the E2.
Most high-skilled immigrants enter the United States under the H1B visa. Due to long backlogs for certain countries (disproportionately affecting immigrants from India), the children who came with their parents "age-out" of their status at age 21, before parents obtain a green card. So they have to leave the country unless they find a temporary way to stay.
The greencard backlog disproportionately affects immigrants from India due to the 7% per country caps for employment based green card. Check out this medium article for a deeper understanding.
E2 non-immigrant visa holders (immigrant small business owners employing Americans) have no pathway to citizenship. So the children these job creators bring with them have to self-deport at 21 or when they lose other temporary status.
The children of these long-term visa holders “age-out” of their dependent status because current law only allows them to remain as dependents on their parent’s visa until 21. While they can move onto a temporary student visa for school, after completing their education, they must leave the country they grew up in, unless they are lucky enough to be sponsored by an employer.
What actions can Congress take to protect children of long-term visa holders?
1. Pass America's Children Act (HR. 5528 and S. 2886).
America's Children Act provides a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who were brought to the United States as child dependents of long-term visa holders, have maintained status in the United States for 10 years, and have graduated from an institution of higher education.
It also establishes age-out protections that lock in a child’s age on the date on which they file for a green card rather than the final action date. It provides work authorization for children of long-term visa holders whose green card applications are pending, if they are at least 16 years old.
Finally, it allows children who have aged out to retain original priority date for subsequent petitions.
Visit AmericasChildrenAct.com to learn more.
2. Fix the root causes that lead to children of long term visa holders aging out.
Why are children of long-term visa holders not protected by DACA?
Children of long term visa holders have always maintained lawful status. DACA requires one to be undocumented. While many children of long term visa holders meet the age and residence requirements of DACA, they cannot qualify for the protection or work authorization that comes with DACA as they do not meet the requirement to have no lawful status.
join the movement
Our advocacy community provides an opportunity to help raise awareness with others in a similar situation as yourself and also provide a platform to navigate the immigration system as a dependent or aged-out individual.
- Take action and subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date.
- If you are a current or former dependent visa holder: take the survey to join us.