Are you ready to build future leaders?H.R. DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023
Date Introduced: May 23, 2023
Summary:
The Dignity Act of 2023 was an immigration reform effort by Maria Elvira Salazar to strengthen the national border, along with an opportunity to provide individuals with legal status who meet certain requirements. There are five sections of the bill: Border Security for America Act, American Dream and Promise, Improving Seasonal Guest Worker Opportunities, American Agricultural Dominance Act, and American Prosperity Competitiveness.
The Border Security for America Act focuses on strengthening security at the American and Mexican border through more technological incorporations like cameras, sensors, and surveillance systems. It also calls for ~$35 billion in funding and additional staffing for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection program and proposes faster processing of asylum cases of about 60 day wait-period.
The American Dream and Promise Act addresses immigrants brought to America as children to allow them to obtain legal status, and they are referred to as ‘Dreamers.’ It provides legal protection and newfound opportunities to immigrants if they meet requirements such as education, military service, or employment. It also creates a Dignity Program, which is a seven-year program that allows undocumented immigrants to have a chance to obtain legality if they pass background checks, pay taxes, and stay employed or in school.
The Improving Season Guest Worker Opportunities allows temporary foreign workers to work in hospitality and tourism. This bill expands ‘returning workers’ and ensures that workers follow labor rules and safety standards. Lastly, it prevents employers from charging recruitment fees to workers.
The American Agricultural Dominance Act focuses on the agricultural workforce, which creates the Certified Agricultural Worker (CAW) for undocumented farmworkers. The visa would allow the workers to stay legal while still continuing their work. And after some years, some are eligible for the green card, which grants permanent residency.
The American Prosperity and Competitiveness supports economic growth. It aims to reduce visa backlogs, raise the national limit for green cards, and expand employment-based visa opportunities. It also allows international students on F-1 visas to pursue permanent residency.
Although the bill was not formally passed, it gave way to address and improve border and legality statuses, working conditions, and the economy for the United States.
Sources Cited:
“The Dignity Act: Bill Summary.” National Immigration Forum, 22 June 2023, forumtogether.org/article/the-dignity-act-bill-summary/.