Joined by a group of nine additional Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida is spearheading a federal legislative effort to allow some illegal aliens to remain in the country and work legally for years.
Titled “DIGNITY Act,” the bill allows illegal aliens, which Salazar describes as “undocumented immigrants,” to remain and work in the country who have been here since before 2021.
In order to qualify, they must pass a criminal background check, pay $1,000 per year over seven years in restitution, can receive no federal benefits or entitlements, and have no pathway to citizenship. That process is referred to as the “Dignity Program.”
“Millions have lived in the shadows for decades with no legal path,” the bill’s information pager states. “Deportation of long-term workers would cripple key industries.”
“For 40 years, every president and Congress has looked the other way while millions have lived here illegally, many working in key industries that keep our economy running,” Salazar said. “It’s the Achilles’ heel no one wants to fix. The Dignity Act offers a commonsense solution: certain undocumented immigrants can earn legal status, not citizenship, by working, paying taxes, and contributing to our country. No handouts. No shortcuts. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future.”
On top of the Dignity Program, the bill’s sponsors say it requires “complete operational control” of the southern border, requires enhanced physical barriers, deploys improved technology to the border, requires nationwide E-Verify, hikes penalties for illegal border crossers, requires DNA testing for family verification, and more.
The bill sponsors say it also ends the practice of “catch-and-release,” expedites asylum processing, and hikes penalties for asylum fraud.
Hellbound and Down 