📜 DIGNITY Act (H.R. 4393) – Legislative Brief

Introduced: July 15, 2025
Sponsors: Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
Cosponsors: 11 Republicans + 11 Democrats
Purpose: Bipartisan immigration reform based on biblical principles of dignity

🔑 5 Core Principles

1. End illegal immigration.
   
   

2. Fix the asylum system.
   
   

3. Provide a dignified solution for undocumented immigrants.
   
   

4. Protect American workers.
   
   

5. Ensure U.S. prosperity and competitiveness.
   
   

🛡️ 1. Border Security & Law Enforcement

• 100% mandatory E-Verify for all U.S. businesses.
  
  

• Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy for operational control.
  
  

• Enhanced barriers + advanced technology.
  
  

• Harsher penalties for human and child traffickers.
  
  

• DHS authority for DNA testing to verify family relationships.
  
  

• Improved ports of entry: more lanes, X-ray inspections.
  
  

🏛️ 2. Asylum Reform

• Ends catch-and-release.
  
  

• Humanitarian Campuses (HC):
  
  

  • Immediate processing.
    
    

  • Decisions within ≤60 days (15 days for initial interview, 45 for final ruling).
    
    

• Additional immigration centers in Latin America for pre-screening & family reunification.
  
  

• “Two-strike” policy for illegal border crossings.
  
  

• Increased penalties for fraud in applications.
  
  

👥 3. Dignity Program

• Dreamers/DACA: 10-year conditional residency → pathway to LPR.
  
  

• Dignity Program (for those in U.S. before 12/31/2020 & >5 years):
  
  

  • Restitution: $7,000 over 7 years.
    
    

  • Must repay back taxes & comply with federal/state laws.
    
    

  • Criminal background check required.
    
    

  • No federal benefits.
    
    

  • No path to LPR or citizenship.
    
    

• Dignity Status:
  
  

  • Protection from deportation.
    
    

  • Work & travel authorization.
    
    

  • Renewable indefinitely.
    
    

  • No federal benefits, no path to citizenship.
    
    

💼 4. Dignity for American Workers

• American Worker Fund funded by restitution payments.
  
  

• Estimated investment: $70 billion.
  
  

• Each undocumented participant → funds training for at least 1 American worker.
  
  

• Supports reskilling, apprenticeships, and workforce development.
  
  

🌎 5. Prosperity & Competitiveness

• Modernizes visa system, reduces backlogs.
  
  

• Premium Processing: >10 years waiting → $20,000 fee for visa.
  
  

• Raises per-country cap (Immigration Act 1990): 7% → 15%.
  
  

• STEM PhDs & medical graduates eligible for O visa.
  
  

• Excludes spouses/children from employment-based visa caps.
  
  

• Includes:
  
  

  • American Families United Act (case-by-case family relief).
    
    

  • Temporary Family Visitation Act (90-day visa).
    
    

• Updates:
  
  

  • F visa → “dual intent.”
    
    

  • OPT students must pay FICA taxes (SS/Medicare).
    
    

• Creates Immigration Agency Coordinator to streamline USCIS, DoS & DOL.
  
  

💵 Funding

• No taxpayer funds used.
  
  

• Immigration Infrastructure Levy (1%): deducted from wages of Dignity Program participants.
  
  

• Funds border infrastructure & reduces national debt by at least $50 billion.
  
  

• American Worker Fund financed by restitution payments.