Salazar Celebrates Anniversary of Historic, Bipartisan Dignity Act

Words: María Salazar

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) celebrated the one-year anniversary of the introduction of her groundbreaking, bipartisan immigration legislation: the Dignity Act (H.R. 3599). This bill continues to gain support from individuals across the nation who want to fix our immigration system once and for all.

Well into 2024, the Dignity Act remains the only viable bill in Congress that address all aspects of our broken immigration system – including securing the border, ending catch and release, fixing our asylum system, providing a practical solution for the undocumented, and modernizing our legal immigration system.

“I am proud of the significant momentum the Dignity Act has gained since Rep. Escobar and I introduced this bill a year ago,” said Rep. Salazar. “The Dignity Act is the only way forward Congress has on immigration. To solve our southern border and immigration crisis, Congress must come together to pass this legislation now!”

Since introduction in May 2023, the Dignity Act has gained the support of more than 35 legislators, and endorsements from well over 50 organizations. The Dignity Act has also been covered extensively in the media, and you can read 100+ great articles on the Dignity Act here. These articles include favorable analyses from leading economists, security experts, and policy research institutions.

Some highlights include:

· Dignity Act Will End the Crisis at the Border
· Dignity Act Will Bring Trillions in Economic Growth
· Dignity Act Will Save Social Security and Medicare

The economic benefits of the Dignity Act are enormous. For example, the Brookings Institution found that several of the Dignity Act’s provisions would improve America’s healthcare system and provide the macroeconomic benefits that can ultimately save Social Security and Medicare. A separate analysis from the Bipartisan Policy Center highlighted the Dignity Act’s reforms will bring over $4 trillion in overall United States GDP growth over the next 10 years, an effective 14% expansion.

However, this bill is primarily an immigration and national security bill. Congress has been unable to secure our Southern Border in a serious way. Partisan solutions proposed in both the House of Representatives and Senate have been unable to advance. The Dignity Act remains the only bipartisan bill in Congress that fully secures our border and provides a reasonable path forward on immigration reform.

Because of this, support for the bill spans across dozens of prominent stakeholders, including from immigration groups, businesses, the agricultural sector, the faith community, educators, national security experts, community leaders, Ambassadors, and United States Senators.
Sponsors and Cosponsors (38): *María Salazar (FL), *Veronica Escobar (TX), *Jenniffer González Colon (PR), *Hillary Scholten (MI), *Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR), *Kathy Manning (NC), *Michael Lawler (NY), *Adriano Espaillat (NY), John Duarte (CA), Susan Wild (PA), Mario Díaz-Balart (FL), Susie Lee (NV), David Valadao (CA), Darren Soto (FL), Dan Newhouse (WA), Colin Allred (TX), Abigail Spanberger (VA), Jake Auchincloss (MA), Mike Levin (CA), Marilyn Strickland (WA), Matt Cartwright (PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Dean Phillips (MI), Chris Pappas (NH), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Pat Ryan (NY), Joe Courtney (CT), Lori Trahan (MA), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Christopher DeLuzio (PA), Eric Sorensen (IL), Nikki Budzinski (IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Emilia Sykes (OH), Val Hoyle (OR), Jared Moskowitz (FL), Greg Landsman (OH), and Mary Peltola (AK).

The following organizations have weighed in with endorsements, statements of support, and/or positive comments about the Dignity Act:

Organizations (50+): Agriculture Workforce Coalition, Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC), American Action Forum, American Business Immigration Coalition, American Families United, American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, American Senior Housing Association, Americans for Prosperity, BDV Solutions, Behring Co., Bipartisan Policy Center, Brick Industry Association, Business Roundtable, Catholic Charities USA, Casa de Venezuela, Chris Coons, U.S. Senator (D-DE), Cleaning Coalition of America, Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida Tomato Exchange, FWD.us, Hispanic Leadership Fund, Ideaspace, Immigration Hub, Improve the Dream, Invest in the USA (IIUSA), Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, LIBRE Initiative, Mason Contractors Association of America, National Association of Counties, National Association of Evangelicals, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, National Association of Landscape Professionals, National Immigration Forum, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, National Retail Federation (NRF), Niskanen Center, Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), Power & Communication Contractors Association, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, TechNet, TESOL International Association, Texas Border Coalition, Texas Impact, The Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform this Year (LIBERTY) Campaign, UnidosUS, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), U.S. Hispanic Business Council, U.S. Travel Association, and World Relief.
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