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2d ago

House Unveils Bipartisan Dignity Act to Grant Work Authorization to Long-Term Undocumented Immigrants

Supporters say it balances a self-sustaining legal status program with strengthened security provisions ahead of committee review.

Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 03, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas.
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Overview

  • Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) formally reintroduced the Dignity Act on July 15 with more than 20 bipartisan co-sponsors.
  • The bill would let undocumented immigrants present before 2021 apply for up to seven years of work authorization without federal benefits or a path to citizenship.
  • Participants must pay restitution and application fees and check in regularly with the Department of Homeland Security to finance the program without taxpayer funds.
  • To reinforce enforcement, the measure mandates nationwide E-Verify for employers and allocates new resources for border security enhancements.
  • Next steps include referral to House committees, scheduled hearings and eventual floor debate on the proposal.