Immigrants Dignified: A New Path to Citizenship

The House of Representatives is currently debating another path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Tex.) prepare to launch a bill that would revolutionize immigration policy for undocumented people. Part of a chain of proposed immigration bills, the law is titled the Dignity Act. It prepares to offer a new path to citizenship to undocumented people, as well as reforms many of the different procedures and specific rules regarding visas and asylum. The Act attempts to redefine the goal of American immigration by neutralizing criminal and nation safety threats. Previously, American immigration focused on criminalizing every immigrant who attempts to cross the border.

Immigrant to Citizen

Currently, for undocumented immigrants there are few paths to legal status. The main three being: 

1. Applying for asylum (I-589)

2. Be petitioned by a relative (I-130)

3.  Applying for U-Visa for victims of violent crime (I-918)

This proposed bill aims to give undocumented immigrants a new path to citizenship. It gives illegal immigrants who don’t have a criminal record and pay their taxes a 7-year temporary visa. This path would be revolutionary as it allows undocumented people to gain legal status. Thus, individuals would gain the ability to travel, work legally and access government services much easier.

Immigrant Asylum Reform

In terms of Asylum, the bill also sets up immigration centers in Latin America to process asylum requests and issue humanitarian visas in the case a valid threat is found. This system would allow for the entrance of asylum seekers in the US to be much more peaceful and help process these requests faster. It would also allow for asylum seekers to apply for migrant worker visas (H-2A and H-2B) which also helps process entrance into the USA much easier and more peacefully. Along with this, the bill hopes to create humanitarian centers in the US to process asylum cases faster. This would also allow the US to run more Credible Fear Interviews, helping asylum applicants. 

The Bill also allows DACA recipients, undocumented minors, TPS and DED holders to adjust to lawful permanent residency status. This would allow such people to receive government benefits as well as work authority and the status to travel. 

Other Visa Reform

Another significant reform is in Work Visas , specifically for temporary workers (H-2A and H-2B). The bill proposes that programs involving migrant workers are available to wider groups of people so small and seasonal businesses can fulfill their needs. It also allows people married to H-4 Visa holders to get working authorization as soon as they arrive to the US. 

What does it mean for immigrants in the future?

This bill has also only just been introduced into Congress and has a long way to go. However, if it were to pass, it would be some of the strongest immigration reform America has seen. Completely revamping the border checks as well as creating a new goal for the system would revolutionize what it means to be an immigrant in this country. This Act aims to give back the stolen dignity of immigrants who cross the border and experience dehumanizing conditions. And, it grants immigrants newfound rights like working authorization, empowering them. 

Boston Globe. (2023). Boston Globe: Back to the future with an unlikely bipartisan immigration bill. photograph. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/12/opinion/marcela-garcia-congress-immigration-reform/.