DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Salazar
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a _comprehensive immigration and border-security overhaul_ that layers new physical barriers and surveillance with big changes to employer verification, asylum processing, and legal-status pathways. It bundles construction and funding, a rethought E‑Verify system, expedited asylum at humanitarian campuses, and new conditional and Dignity status routes for long‑term residents.
Show full summary
- Would expand humanitarian processing and asylum rules for migrants. It would establish at least three southern border humanitarian campuses for screening, medical checks, legal orientation, and an expedited asylum track with a 72‑hour arrival rest and a 15‑day initial screening goal.
- Would change worksite verification and employer rules. It would replace the current system with a new Employment Eligibility Verification System, phase mandatory employer use by size over 6–24 months, allow secondary checks and a limited good‑faith defense, and raise penalties and debarment authority for violations.
- Would invest in ports, infrastructure, and backlog tools and create a new trust fund. It would authorize $2.0 billion annually for ports in FY2026–2030, create an Immigration Infrastructure and Debt Reduction Fund, and permit premium processing deposits including a $20,000 premium option to address visa backlogs.
*Would authorize substantial new appropriations and fee deposits, including $2.0 billion annually for FY2026–2030, increasing federal outlays.*
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
27 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 5 costs, 8 mixed.
Green cards for longtime childhood entrants
If enacted, people who came at age 18 or younger and have lived in the U.S. since January 1, 2021 could get a conditional green card, subject to background checks and a fee up to $1,140. You could remove conditions by getting a degree or credential, serving three years in the Uniformed Services, or showing four years of earned income with valid work authorization most of the time. The bill would also protect some long‑term dependent children with U.S. degrees and many years of lawful presence. Conditional status would last 10 years unless extended and could be revoked only after notice and a hearing; if it ends, you return to your prior status. There would be no numeric cap for grants under this division, and people could move to reopen old cases within two years if this division would have changed the outcome.
Military service path to a green card
If enacted, people in the Dignity Program could enlist in the U.S. military. Program rules would pause during service. Completing a term of enlistment would satisfy program requirements and could make you eligible to adjust to a green card.
Border Patrol pay raise and parity
This bill would require at least a 14% increase to the minimum GS‑12 pay for Border Patrol agents within 180 days. The Secretary could raise other grades too. Pay, incentives, and overtime would be aligned so Border Patrol pay is at least equal to CBP officers.
Loan relief for humanitarian campus attorneys
This bill would forgive 75% of eligible J.D. student loan debt for attorneys who work full time for four years at a humanitarian campus created by the Act. You would need a J.D. and cannot be in default. The agencies could deliver forgiveness through loan holders or cancellation under higher‑education law.
No Social Security tax on OPT pay
This bill would exclude pay you earn while on Optional Practical Training from Social Security “wages.” That would lower payroll tax withholding on OPT pay in calendar quarters after enactment. Savings would depend on your earnings.
Faster green cards and backlog relief
If enacted, people with approved petitions whose priority dates are over 10 years old could choose to pay $20,000 to speed processing. The Secretary would set aside visas each year from 2026–2035 to clear that 10‑year backlog by 2035. Agencies would appoint a joint immigration coordinator and get FY2026 funds to speed cases: $2.56 billion for USCIS, $825 million for State visa services, and $225 million for Labor’s certification office.
More money to build border ports
This bill would fund new and expanded ports of entry. It would provide $2 billion each year from FY2026 through FY2030. Projects would be chosen with input from federal, state, local, and tribal officials and property owners, and expansions would be prioritized before new sites.
Warning and penalties for false asylum
If enacted, asylum forms would include a warning about the consequences of filing a frivolous claim. If you knowingly file a false application after that warning, you could be permanently barred from asylum‑related benefits. You would still be able to seek withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture. Adjudicators must give you a chance to explain differences in your record.
Tighter asylum rules and penalties
This bill would tell adjudicators to consider statements to immigration officers and government reports when judging credibility. Asylum could end if someone returns to their home country within five years, unless conditions changed or the Secretary grants a waiver. Making materially false statements or using false documents in asylum or withholding cases could bring fines or up to 10 years in prison, with up to 10 years to prosecute after the fraud is discovered.
Tougher border crimes and quick removals
This bill would raise penalties for unlawful reentry, up to 30 years for very serious prior crimes and up to 20 years after three removals. It would criminalize attempts and conspiracies to smuggle or help unlawful entry, with up to 10 extra years if a firearm is used. It would also make it a crime to share an officer’s location to help certain crimes, punishable by up to 10 years. Agents would biometrically log people who cross between ports and tell them to seek asylum at ports; a second such crossing after notice would trigger expedited removal. The two‑strike rule would start 30 days after enactment.
Dignity Program: apply or depart
If enacted, eligible noncitizens could get a 7‑year Dignity Status with work and travel authorization, and the 3‑ and 10‑year reentry bars would not apply to participants. People without lawful status would have 12 months after enactment to apply or leave the U.S. Applicants must show presence since December 31, 2020 and make restitution payments: $1,000 at application (TPS holders before enactment exempt) and at least $1,000 with each report until $7,000 total. The bill lists documents you can use to prove identity, entry, presence, education, and income. If denied, you would get an administrative appeal and could seek court review; generally you could not be removed while review is pending. While your case is pending, you could seek advance parole and a work permit if you appear eligible.
Dignity Program: rules to stay eligible
Participants would generally need to work or study for at least four years, report to DHS every two years, and submit biometrics and pass background checks. You would have to keep qualifying health coverage, support dependents’ basic needs, and pay any assessed federal income tax from the 10 years before approval within seven years. People with dependents under 12, disabilities, or those over 65 could get waivers for some requirements. If you violate rules without a waiver, DHS could start removal proceedings.
New mandatory work checks for employers
This bill would require all employers to use a federal system to confirm work authorization from job offer through three business days after hire. It would set document‑keeping rules, steps for tentative and final nonconfirmations, and a reverification schedule by employer size (6, 12, 18, or 24 months after enactment; farm labor reverification after 30 months). Employers would get a “good‑faith” defense if they follow the rules, and a one‑time 6‑month delay could be granted if the system is not ready. DHS and SSA would run identity‑authentication pilots and must fund and audit Social Security’s role; SSA’s Inspector General would audit SSN misuse, including children’s SSNs and large employer mismatches.
More border tech, flights, and drones
If enacted, DHS would build and run border barriers, roads, lighting, and advanced sensors to deter and detect illegal activity in high‑traffic areas. Air and Marine Operations would fly at least 95,000 hours a year and, after FAA coordination, operate drones on the southern border 24/7. The Border Patrol Chief would lead small‑drone operations with FAA safety coordination, and Sector Chiefs could set mission‑critical air hours that AMO must prioritize or contract out. The Secretary could waive some legal requirements to speed projects, with notice to Congress.
Immigration fund for programs and debt
If enacted, a Treasury fund called the Immigration Infrastructure and Debt Reduction Fund would receive new deposits from taxes and fee transfers to pay for this Act’s programs. After program costs are covered, remaining money would go back to the Treasury to reduce the national debt. Half of an amended premium processing fee would go to the Immigration Examinations Fee Account, and employers could help pay premium fees.
Easier waivers to keep families together
If enacted, DHS could waive some inadmissibility or deportability rules, decline to issue a case, or allow reentry when removal would cause hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child. The bill presumes family separation is a hardship. It would also allow waiving consideration of one misdemeanor with a 5‑year clean period, or up to two misdemeanors with a 10‑year clean period, for humanitarian, family‑unity, or public‑interest reasons.
Earn-and-learn grants and training funds
This bill would fund competitive grants for industry‑led earn‑and‑learn and apprenticeships. Grants would last 1 to 4 years, require at least a 50% non‑federal match, and have administrative caps (for example, states may reserve up to 5%). Funds could cover training, credentials, mentorship, and support such as transport, childcare, tools, and work clothes for at least 12 months after placement. States would get allotments using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act rules, and 90% of certain H‑1B account and restitution funds would support these programs.
Border oversight and local community voices
If enacted, a 30‑member DHS Border Oversight Commission would advise on enforcement, rights, safety, training, and publish annual public reports. A National Border Security Advisory Committee would also be formed with at least one member from every state and input from people who live or work near the border. DHS would be required to consider these recommendations.
Higher per-country green card cap
This bill would raise the per‑country limit on immigrant visas from 7% to 15%. People from high‑demand countries could see more green cards open up.
Limits on immigration enforcement in sensitive places
This bill would generally bar immigration actions inside or near schools, hospitals, churches, courthouses, and places where children gather, unless leaders approve or there is an emergency. If action must occur, officers would act out of public view, limit time there, and focus only on the person targeted. DHS would update rules within 270 days to prevent and address sexual abuse in holding facilities and set procedures for handling children. Members of Congress and some staff could visit facilities. ICE would update its detainee locator at least every 24 hours and notify families when someone is taken into custody or moved.
Prescreening hubs and family reunification abroad
If enacted, up to three facilities in the Western Hemisphere would offer asylum prescreening (including virtual), family reunification for unmarried children under 21, job help, and legal pathway assessments. Within 30 days, DHS would start a Dominican Republic program to process parole for vetted people with approved family petitions and prioritize certain older cases. Some people released on recognizance by ICE on or before January 31, 2023, would be treated as paroled for the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Broader visa bans for trafficker relatives
If enacted, the drug‑trafficker‑related visa bar would expand to include people who used to be the spouse, son, or daughter of a trafficker. This would make more people inadmissible based on past family ties.
Mandatory work eligibility checks and fines
This bill would set up a national verification system with phone and online checks. Employers would need to verify workers within 3 working days, complete follow‑ups within about 10 working days, and recheck anyone not previously verified under E‑Verify within 6 months. The system would include privacy and anti‑discrimination safeguards. Federal rules would override state hiring and verification laws. Civil and paperwork fines would rise, and repeat violators could be barred from federal contracts.
Dignity workers pay 1%, skip payroll tax
This bill would charge Dignity Program participants a tax equal to 1% of work income each year. At the same time, participants would not owe payroll taxes under sections 3101 and 3102. The money would go to the Immigration Infrastructure and Debt Reduction Fund.
Border campuses and faster asylum reviews
If enacted, DHS would open at least three humanitarian campuses on the southern border within 12 months. People would get a 72‑hour rest, initial screening within 15 days, and many cases could be decided in about 45 days after screening, with fast appeals and limited court review. USCIS would assign at least 300 asylum officers to these sites. DHS would try to record expedited‑removal interviews, include recordings in the record, and use fluent, independent interpreters. CBP could hire Processing Coordinators for intake and transport (not arrests), and DHS OIG would run unannounced inspections and publish annual reports.
Safer child placements and family proof
If enacted, HHS would run background checks and collect biometrics on all adults in a home before placing an unaccompanied child, and could not share those biometrics with DHS for enforcement. People with serious listed convictions could not receive placement. HHS would call to check on the child at 30 days and every 60 days, and custodians must report address changes within 7 days. Officers could require DNA to prove family ties for some cases, and CBP would have 90 days to certify compliance with the DNA Fingerprint Act at adult‑processing sites.
Freeze SSNs to stop job fraud
This bill would let DHS and Social Security block Social Security numbers that show unusual use in the work‑check system until the rightful owner proves it is theirs. Parents or guardians could suspend a minor’s SSN for work checks, and identity‑fraud victims could suspend their own. These programs could start as small pilots before a full rollout.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Salazar
FL • R
Cosponsors
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Lawler
NY • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Valadao
CA • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Scholten
MI • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Newhouse
WA • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Lee (NV)
NV • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Kelly (PA)
PA • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Gray
CA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Carbajal
CA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Evans (CO)
CO • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Stutzman
IN • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Bacon
NE • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Gillen
NY • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Kim
CA • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Auchincloss
MA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Diaz-Balart
FL • R
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Baird
IN • R
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Suozzi
NY • D
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Smucker
PA • R
Sponsored 11/25/2025
Ryan
NY • D
Sponsored 11/25/2025
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 11/25/2025
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 11/25/2025
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Sykes
OH • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
De La Cruz
TX • R
Sponsored 12/15/2025
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 12/15/2025
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Cuellar
TX • D
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Dunn (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Houlahan
PA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Kiggans (VA)
VA • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Nunn (IA)
IA • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
McCollum
MN • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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