In a rare display of bipartisan collaboration, Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, and Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, have joined forces to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
The bill, titled “The Dignity Act,” is based on the bipartisan legislation crafted by the senators known as the “Gang of Eight” and passed by the Senate in 2013. The bill did not become law because it was blocked by the House of Representatives. However, the proposal managed to demonstrate the potential for unity on the issue, one of the most controversial and polarizing in current American politics.
Now, Salazar and Escobar’s bill presents a renewed opportunity for comprehensive reform that promises to pave the way for a fair, humane, and orderly immigration system.
The Dignity Act, described in nearly 500 pages, addresses several aspects of the immigration system that has long needed reform, such as asylum processing, pending visa applications, and a pathway to legal status for millions of immigrants living in the country, including essential agricultural workers, beneficiaries of temporary protected status, and immigrants brought to the U.S. as children—a long-awaited recognition of their contributions and potential, having grown up as Americans.
In response to the global displacement crisis, the bill proposes the creation of so-called “humanitarian campuses” equipped with necessary resources, such as medical staff and legal counseling programs, aimed at ensuring a more efficient and fair treatment of asylum requests.
The bill also addresses delays in visa applications and proposes measures to alleviate the waiting time for individuals seeking legal immigration pathways. By increasing the number of certain types of green cards and exempting minor children and spouses from limits, the Dignity Act seeks to mitigate the prolonged delays that have hindered family reunification and the full integration of individuals into American society.
The most controversial part of the proposal is precisely the one that grants legal status to an estimated group of 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. According to the proposal, undocumented immigrants would gain “Dignity” legal status if they passed a criminal background check and paid taxes along with $5,000 in restitution. They would also have to contribute to a retraining fund for American workers for high-demand jobs and would not be eligible for federal welfare benefits.
Once immigrants completed the seven-year “Dignity” program, they would have two options: they could renew their “Dignity” status for another five years or adjust their status to permanent legal.
Another important part of the proposal is the legalization of DACA beneficiaries. About 1.9 million children brought to the United States illegally, including the 600,000 DACA beneficiaries, could adjust their status to conditional permanent resident for 10 years.
The bill is being viewed positively by many experts. So far, the sponsoring representatives have managed to recruit 10 co-sponsors: five Democrats and five Republicans.
Currently, the bill is being evaluated by committees in the House of Representatives, where it may undergo modifications, be forwarded for a vote, or even die before that. Even if it is forwarded for a vote and approved by the House of Representatives, it would also need to be evaluated and approved by the Senate. In other words, there is a long road ahead. Thus, a comprehensive proposal like this may take years and years to be approved and come into effect. However, the chaotic situation at the border and the legal battle involving DACA beneficiaries may lead to such a reform being approved faster than anticipated.
Source: The Hill and CBS News