Categories
Featured

A Possible Path to Legalization: The Dignity Act’s Bipartisan Proposal

Share this:

In a political world marked by partisan divides, it is refreshing to hear news of a groundbreaking bipartisan proposal that holds the promise of transforming the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. This bill called the “Dignidad (Dignity) Act of 2023”, if passed into law, is a remarkable legislative endeavor aimed at providing a clear path to lawful status for undocumented individuals, securing the nation’s borders, safeguarding American businesses, and bolstering the nation’s economy. Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL-25) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), this legislation brings with it a ray of hope for those who have been waiting in the shadows, yearning for their immigrant status to be legalized.

A Brighter Tomorrow: The Dignity Act’s Pathway to Legal Status

The Dignity Act is a proposal that offers two distinct options for acquiring lawful status: the Dignity Status and the Redemption Program

To qualify for either status, applicants must complete the “Dignity Program.” This program, at its core, provides a seven-year deferred action on removal, along with employment and travel authorization. To be eligible, individuals must prove five years of continuous physical presence in the United States before the enactment of the legislation, demonstrate good moral character, pay a fine of at least $1,000, and pass a criminal background check.

Upon successful completion of the Dignity Program, applicants must choose between Dignity Status and the Redemption Program. Dignity Status grants a five-year lawful status in the United States with the possibility of renewal, offering a chance for a stable life. Meanwhile, the Redemption Program, an optional path, provides a five-year conditional status with employment and travel authorization. After fulfilling the program’s requirements, participants can apply for lawful permanent residency, securing their place in the United States.

Hope for Dreamers: A New Beginning

The Dignity Act also extends its embrace to Dreamers, individuals who were brought to the United States as children. Dreamers and DACA recipients may obtain conditional permanent resident status by meeting specific criteria, including continuous presence for three years, education, and possible military service. This act not only recognizes the contributions of these individuals but also honors their dreams and aspirations by offering a chance at legal status.

A Transformative Immigration Landscape

In addition to providing pathways to lawful status for undocumented individuals, the Dignity Act proposes significant changes to various facets of immigration law. It strives to streamline the adjudication of asylum claims, establishes Humanitarian Campuses near the border, and creates processing centers in Latin America. Furthermore, the act offers a path to citizenship for eligible TPS recipients and reduces visa backlogs, ensuring a more streamlined immigration process.

The Dignity Act also brings about pivotal changes to employment visa categories, such as the H-2A Agricultural Guest Worker Program, removing seasonal requirements and visa caps, while also ensuring pathways to lawful status for undocumented agricultural workers. The act makes E-Verify mandatory nationwide, with phased implementation to ensure employer compliance.

In conclusion, the Dignity Act of 2023 is one of those bills that, if passed into law, will benefit those who have been waiting for their immigrant status to be legalized. It is a comprehensive, bipartisan effort that not only offers a pathway to legal status but also paves the way for a more inclusive and just immigration system. 

We look forward to getting more support for this bill as it represents positive changes that could bring progress to our nation, offering renewed hope to those who have long sought the dignity and security they deserve.

Tancinco Law, P.C. will continue to update you on any developments on these types of bills. If you have any questions, you may contact us through our website www.tancinco.com or by texting us at 415 397 0808. 

Categories
Updates

G.O.P. Files Their Immigration Reform Bill “Dignity Act”

Share this:

On February 18, 2021, more than a month from the inauguration of President-elect Biden, the U.S. Citizenship Act was introduced before the 117th Congress that proposes to establish a path to citizenship for certain undocumented individuals. More than 11 million unauthorized immigrants were hopeful and felt that finally an opportunity to legalize was on the horizon. But this bill remained at the Sub-Committee on Citizenship and Immigration without any positive development. There were attempts by Democrats to include provisions in the budget reconciliation package last year, but all were rejected by the Senate parliamentarian, and the overall plan remains in flux.

Fast forward to February 8, 2022, a freshman Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla) introduced before the House the Dignity Act – an immigration bill that would allow millions of undocumented immigrants to receive legal protections and eventually a possible path to citizenship. Under this Act, undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years would be allowed to work legally while paying $1,000 annually into a new fund supporting job training for American workers.

After 10 years, the immigrants would be eligible for a 5-year “redemption program” requiring civics education and community service, and could be considered eligible for citizenship through existing procedures for naturalization. The DREAMERs and those in Temporary Protected Status will be able to adjust status to lawful permanent residency under this proposed bill.

While this may benefit unauthorized immigrants, there are controversial provisions that are included in the Dignity Act – it has tough enforcement provisions in terms of increasing border security. It includes making E-verify mandatory, ramping up the use of border protection technologies, hiring more personnel and restarting the construction of physical border barriers.

Interesting to note is that no Democrat had signed into this proposed legislation. It could be a starting point to open dialogue on these immigration issues again but with the controversial provisions, it may be facing opposition from the other party. Let’s see where this Dignity Act is headed, and hopefully, it is not just a political maneuvering but a good faith attempt to reach the much awaited immigration reform.