Texas Dreamer Work Authorization Act of 2025

Summary

Creates explicit federal law requiring the Department of Homeland Security to grant work authorization (Employment Authorization Documents) to people given deferred action under the DACA policy, including first-time applicants, and declares that such work authorization must be provided regardless of conflicting laws or court orders. The law defines DACA by reference to the June 15, 2012 DHS memorandum and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

• Directs DHS to grant Employment Authorization Documents to all individuals granted DACA deferred action, including first-time applicants.
• Requires work authorization to be issued notwithstanding other laws or judicial orders that have previously blocked EADs in some jurisdictions.
• Defines DACA by referencing the June 15, 2012 DHS memorandum on prosecutorial discretion for individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
• Takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to the entire Act without phased implementation.
• Does not provide new funding or create a pathway to permanent status or citizenship; it only addresses employment authorization.
• Affects USCIS/DHS operations by requiring concurrent EAD issuance with deferred action grants, potentially increasing processing volume.
• Intended to produce uniform national access to work authorization for eligible DACA applicants and reduce geographic differences caused by litigation.
• Could prompt litigation over the statute's scope and interaction with existing court orders and constitutional review.
• Employers will be able to lawfully hire DACA recipients who receive EADs issued under the statute and complete I-9 verification accordingly.