The first section of the bill, titled “American Dream and Promise Act of 2025," provides its short title and table of contents, outlining the various parts and sections within the act, which address issues like granting conditional permanent resident status to certain individuals and adjusting the status of others from countries with temporary protections.

The first section of this bill states that it can be referred to as the "Dream Act of 2025."

The section outlines rules for granting conditional permanent resident status to certain immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. It specifies eligibility requirements, such as continuous residence in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, educational achievements, and restrictions related to criminal and national security concerns. It also allows for waivers of certain inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian purposes and outlines procedures for handling applications with criminal histories and possible denials.

The section outlines that the status of being a permanent resident on a conditional basis lasts for 10 years unless extended, and can be revoked if certain requirements are unmet. It also details that if this status is revoked or expires, the individual reverts to their previous immigration status and specifies that the individual must be informed about any revocation and given the chance to challenge it.

The section outlines the conditions under which an immigrant with conditional permanent resident status can have those conditions removed to become a lawful permanent resident. It includes various criteria, such as completing higher education, military service, or demonstrating income, with exceptions for hardship scenarios like disabilities or caregiving responsibilities, while also requiring background checks and potentially an application fee.

The bill restores the ability of states to decide who qualifies as a resident for higher education benefits by repealing a previous law and making this change effective as if it had been part of the original 1996 legislation.

The section specifies that this part of the bill can be referred to as the "American Promise Act of 2025."

The text describes a process for certain individuals from countries designated for Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. It outlines eligibility criteria, application requirements, the possibility of waiving certain inadmissibility factors, and the role of background checks, along with details about fees and the option to withdraw an application without affecting future immigration benefits.

The section clarifies that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, people are to be viewed as if they have been inspected and admitted into the United States.

The section defines various terms used in the Act, such as "DACA," referring to deferred action for certain immigrants, "appropriate United States district court," which identifies specific courts for legal matters, and "institution of higher education," specifying U.S. colleges. It also clarifies that "conviction" does not include judgments that have been erased or resolved through rehabilitation.

The section states that the Secretary cannot approve an alien's change of immigration status without the alien providing both biometric and biographic data, unless a physical disability prevents this. Additionally, the Secretary must conduct thorough background checks using this data to ensure the alien does not have any disqualifying criminal or national security issues.

An alien who qualifies for relief under the Act is given a fair chance to apply and can't be removed until a final decision is made. They can seek status adjustment even if ordered to leave the U.S., may be exempt from application fees due to economic hardship or other factors, and can apply for advance parole while awaiting a decision. Additionally, certain aliens may be granted work permits.

The section describes how the U.S. determines whether an immigrant's continuous presence or residence has been interrupted, especially detailing how departure durations and special circumstances like illness, family issues, or travel restrictions due to public health emergencies might affect these determinations. It also allows for some discretion by the Secretary to waive physical presence requirements for certain individuals removed after January 20, 2017, if doing so would serve humanitarian goals, keep families together, or benefit the public interest.

The section specifies that there is no limit to the number of immigrants who can receive permanent resident status under this law, meaning any restrictions on numbers do not apply here.

The section outlines the process by which aliens can seek review if their application for adjusting immigration status is denied or revoked. Aliens can request administrative or judicial review, and they generally cannot be removed from the United States until a final decision is made, unless removal is necessary for criminal or national security reasons, in which case they still retain the right to judicial review.

The section outlines the types of documents an immigrant can submit to prove their identity, continuous residence, education, military service, and income to qualify for permanent resident status in the U.S. It also details how individuals can demonstrate their eligibility for certain exemptions or benefits, and gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to disallow unreliable documents if fraudulent practices are observed.

The Secretary must publish interim final rules in the Federal Register within 90 days of the Act's enactment, allowing eligible individuals to immediately seek relief, with rules finalized within 180 days. The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply to actions taken to implement this Act.

The section outlines privacy rules related to applications for adjustment of immigration status and DACA requests. It states that the Secretary cannot use or share this information for immigration enforcement, cannot refer applicants to immigration enforcement agencies based solely on their application information, and highlights exceptions for sharing information with federal agencies for security or fraud prevention. Additionally, anyone who violates these privacy rules could be fined up to $10,000.

The text describes a grant program established by the Secretary within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to provide funding to nonprofit organizations. These funds are intended to help eligible applicants by offering legal assistance, information on the benefits of permanent resident status, and guidance on U.S. citizenship, including English and civics education. The program is authorized to receive necessary funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2036.

An alien's ability to lawfully become a permanent resident under this Act does not prevent them from seeking other legal statuses for which they might be eligible under different laws.

The bill includes a $25 surcharge on certain fees to help pay for lawyers for people challenging immigration decisions. Money from this surcharge goes into a special account, and a report on the account's status is sent to Congress every two years to help make sure there's enough money to pay for the lawyers.

The section requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide an annual report to Congress, starting one year after the law is enacted. This report must include the number of applicants who receive a provisional or final denial, whether or not they sought judicial review, as well as those approved after judicial review.