Legalization for DREAMers Would Result in Chain Migration of an Average of 1 Person or Less Over a Lifetime—Far Fewer than Critics Suggest, MPI Estimates

WASHINGTON — With Congress facing growing calls to pass DREAM Act-type legislation before the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program expires, critics are arguing that legalization would spur vast new “chain migration” because DREAMers could eventually sponsor their family members for green cards. In fact, they argue that each unauthorized immigrant legalized via the DREAM Act could sponsor as many as 6.4 relatives, on average, for legal permanent residence.