# Plain Language Summary: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025

This bill creates a pathway to permanent legal residency for two main groups of immigrants: young people who grew up in the United States and certain people from countries facing humanitarian crises. Think of it as offering a way for people who have deep roots in America to formalize their legal status and stay permanently.

The first part, called the "Dream Act," targets people who arrived in the U.S. as children and have lived here continuously since January 1, 2021. To qualify, they must have been 18 or younger when they entered the country and have stayed here ever since. They also need to show they're pursuing education—either by being enrolled in high school, attending college, completing a GED, or getting a vocational certificate. The bill allows them to become permanent residents on a "conditional basis," meaning they'd have to meet certain requirements to keep their status. People who already have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) would get a streamlined application process with no application fee. The application fee for others would be capped at $495, though some people could get exemptions.

The second part, called the "American Promise Act," helps people from countries designated for Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure—these are typically countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or epidemics. If they've been in the U.S. long enough and meet other requirements, they can also adjust to permanent resident status. Both groups would need to pass background checks and security screenings. The bill excludes people convicted of serious crimes or those with national security concerns, though it allows the government to waive some technical immigration violations if it's in the public interest or for family unity reasons. Essentially, this bill offers a legal solution for people who have built lives in America but lack formal immigration status.