Support for Dignity Act Grows Among House Republicans
Over a dozen House Republicans have rallied behind Rep. Maria Salazar’s (R-Fla.) Dignity Act. This legislation seeks to offer amnesty to a significant portion of the estimated 11 million to 22 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and aims to boost legal immigration by increasing the influx of foreign workers into American jobs.
Salazar initially presented this amnesty proposal in 2022 during President Joe Biden’s administration, coinciding with an unprecedented surge of illegal immigration into the country.
Essentially, the bill would provide amnesty to about 10.5 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S. as of before 2021, provided they fulfill various criteria. Additionally, it suggests more than doubling employment-based legal immigration and enhancing the influx of international students, presumably to cater to business interests seeking a steady supply of foreign labor.
Although the bill has struggled to find traction in Congress over the years, it recently garnered backing from 19 House Republicans and 20 House Democrats.
The current Republican co-sponsors of the Dignity Act include:
- Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY)
- Congressman David G. Valadao (R-CA)
- Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
- Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA)
- Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO)
- Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN)
- Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE)
- Rep. Yong Kim (R-CA)
- Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
- Congressman James Baird (R-IN)
- Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
- Assistant Kimberly King Hines (Republican)
- Assistant James Moylan (Republican-GU-At Large)
- Congresswoman Monica de la Cruz (R-TX)
- Congressman Nick Larota (R-NY)
- Congressman Neil Dunn (R-FL)
- Congresswoman Jennifer Quiggans (R-VA)
- Congressman Zachary Nunn (R-IA)
This growing number of supporters includes some Democratic representatives, such as Henry Cuellar (Texas), Jim Costa (California), Thomas Suozzi (New York), Adriano Espaillat (New York), and Salud Carbajal (California).
In an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Congressman Lawler passionately defended his stance on the amnesty legislation, carefully addressing how federal immigration agencies would enforce specific measures to ensure not all undocumented immigrants qualify for amnesty.
The proposed amnesty would pave the way for about 2.5 million “Dreamer” individuals—those eligible under former President Obama’s program—to achieve citizenship. In return, it would mandate a nationwide electronic verification process and border wall construction requirements established in the Secure Fence Act of 2006.
Moreover, the legislation would pause the deportation of undocumented immigrants considered “prima facie eligible,” granting seven years of renewable legal status to those who resided in the U.S. before 2021 as long as they meet certain conditions, like not having committed serious crimes or fulfilling tax obligations.
Interestingly, individuals may still be eligible for a pardon even if they have multiple misdemeanors. Those who have previously been deported but meet the criteria could also qualify for this program.
Perhaps one of the most significant elements of the bill is its proposal to more than double the number of employment-based green cards available to foreign workers each year. This aspect, favored by special corporate interests like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, appears aimed at sustaining low wages by increasing the labor supply.
Additionally, the bill would enable foreign students at U.S. universities to seek employment in the U.S. post-graduation, intensifying competition for entry-level positions against U.S. graduates. It would also formalize optional training programs (OPTs), allowing companies to hire foreign graduates at lower costs compared to American nationals.
