First Installment of New TheDream.US Data and Storytelling Series, “The Frequency: the Pulse of America’s Dreamers”
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Washington, DC – Ahead of the July 4th holiday and this year’s celebration of America at 250, TheDream.US today released one-of-a-kind findings about how thousands of Dreamers responded to the open-ended question, “what are your hopes and dreams for living in America.”
The findings, detailed below, serve as the first installment of the new TheDream.US data and storytelling series, “The Frequency: The Pulse of America’s Dreamers,” which will feature ongoing findings and key insights from the nation’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on Dreamers in America, led by TheDream.US Chief Operating Officer Dr. Hyein Lee and Vernisa Donaldson, TheDream.US Senior Research Analyst of Measurement and Evaluation.
More than 4,400 TheDream.US Scholars and Alums who responded to the 2025-2026 TheDream.US Scholar survey and TheDream.US 2026 Alumni Survey answered the question about their hopes and dreams for living in America. The three most common themes are detailed below.
- 78% referenced building a stable future through education and meaningful work: A clear majority of respondents see education, completing degrees, and pursuing fulfilling careers as the pathway to long-term stability, independence, and opportunity. They frequently mention becoming professionals, advancing their careers, or simply being able to work legally.
- 66% referenced obtaining permanent legal status, citizenship, and freedom from uncertainty: One of the strongest recurring themes is the desire for permanent legal status, citizenship, or immigration reform. Respondents describe wanting the freedom to work, travel, plan for the future, and live without fear of deportation or family separation.
- 41% referenced creating and supporting a family: Family is central throughout the responses. Many hope to raise children, provide better opportunities for loved ones, reunite with family members, or simply build a safe and stable home for future generations.
According to Dr. Hyein Lee, Chief Operating Officer of TheDream.US, “As we reflect on 250 years of America, Dreamers remain among its strongest believers. Their answers make clear they want what their fellow residents want — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the nation they have grown up in and consider home — and they are betting on education and hard work to get there. What sets them apart is not their hopes and dreams, but the uncertainty of their immigration status — the clear barrier between them and the opportunity to build their future in the country they so deeply believe in.”
According to Vernisa Donaldson, TheDream.US Senior Research Analyst of Measurement and Evaluation, “This first installment of The Frequency marks the beginning of an exciting new spotlight on the data and stories of Dreamers. We will bring together compelling narratives and critical insights into Dreamers’ lives, experiences, and beliefs, revealing what they tell us about the future of America and the strength of our communities, industries, and institutions. Every edition will uncover meaningful findings that deepen our understanding of Dreamers’ impact and the vital role they play in shaping our nation.”
About TheDream.US
TheDream.US is the nation’s leading organization supporting Dreamers at the intersection of higher education, workforce development, immigration, and advocacy. We’ve awarded over 13,000 scholarships to immigrant youth from 120+ countries and 45 states, with more than 5,000 graduates to date. We partner with close to 80 colleges in 19 states and Washington D.C. to provide scholarships, career support, and access to legal options that help Dreamers break through systemic barriers and achieve social mobility.
Through data, Scholar and Alumni stories, strategic partnerships, and targeted state and local advocacy, we work to expand equitable access to college, professional pathways, and permanent legal status. For more information on TheDream.US, visit www.thedream.us
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