Is Any Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants Available Now?

Very occasionally, the U.S. Congress will authorize an "amnesty" for undocumented immigrants (also called illegal aliens)—that is, a pardon for unlawful status and a path to lawful permanent residence (a green card).

Such an amnesty program was offered in the late 1980s, for example. The requirements included that applicants prove they had been living or working in the U.S. for a certain length of time and had good moral character. They first received temporary status, then, after 18 months, could become eligible for green cards, provided they demonstrated that they could speak English.

Although U.S. lawmakers have proposed various bills offering amnesty-like paths to a green card in recent years, they've been unable to agree on any. Florida Congresswoman Maria Salazar introduced something called the "Dignity Act" in mid-2025, which contains some amnesty-like provisions; but it faces a long and difficult road to passing.

In the meantime, the second Trump term has taken immigration enforcement measures entirely in the opposite direction, with a priority on mass deportation, combing applicants' immigration records for any sign of behavior it finds objectionable, and using "expedited removal" as a tool to deporting people without allowing them to plead their case before an immigration judge. Such a priority shift is likely to undermine many of the current possibilities described below.

Here are the existing laws that come closest to immigration relief for the undocumented.

Cancellation of Removal: a Path to a Green Card in Deportation Proceedings

A remedy called Non-LPR Cancellation of Removal allows non-citizens who have already been placed in removal (deportation) proceedings to ask the immigration court judge to grant a green card.

There are strict eligibility requirements, however, including that:

• they have been living ("continuously physically present") in the U.S. for at least 10 years
• their deportation from the U.S. would cause "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to qualifying relatives who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs),
• they have "good moral character," and
• they have not been convicted of certain crimes or violated certain laws.

This remedy cannot be applied for affirmatively. One must be in immigration court proceedings first. This would presumably happen either after an arrest by U.S. immigration authorities or after a denial of some form of immigration application and a referral to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the immigration court.

Do not, under any circumstance, attempt to get yourself arrested by immigration officials in order to pursue this remedy without speaking to an attorney first. You could find yourself in detention or facing a fast track to removal as a result.

DACA Offered Some Undocumented Immigrants a Temporary Right to Live and Work in the U.S.

There is a program temporarily in place providing for the deferred deportation of certain people who came to the U.S. as children and meet several guidelines (known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA). This is not a law, but an Executive Order implemented by President Barack Obama. Eligible applicants receive a U.S. work permit.

The first Trump Administration attempted to terminate this program, and succeeded in stopping new applications. After multiple lawsuits, the situation as of late 2025 is that one cannot submit a new DACA application. Renewals, however, have remained an option for people already holding DACA; but the Trump administration is making plans to remove this possibility, as well.

Temporary Protected Status Can Help People Whose Home Countries Are Unsafe

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security can designate a country's citizens or nationals, if they are already present in United States, as eligible for "Temporary Protected Status" (TPS). TPS is a temporary designation that allows its beneficiaries to live and work in the United States and travel in and out for the duration of an war, natural disaster, or other emergency in their home country, largely without fear of being deported.

The Trump administration, however, is hostile to the use of TPS. It has taken steps to end some designations early and could potentially cease use of the TPS program entirely. Thus now is not a likely time for a first-time TPS application.

Get Legal Help If You Hear of Amnesty Possibilities

The chances of an upcoming amnesty or path to a green card depend on the U.S. Congress, but nothing is immediately available as of late 2025. Beware of the many scammers or fake lawyers who urge immigrants to pay to submit an application during a time when no such application exists; there has been an uptick in this sort of activity, as reported by the American Bar Association (ABA).

If you hear news of an amnesty or something like it, be sure to choose a highly qualified immigration attorney to evaluate your situation and help you apply. Or, the attorney might be able to identify another immigration benefit or remedy you could apply for.