DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2025
Summary
Dignity for Immigrants while Guarding our Nation to Ignite and Deliver the American Dream Act of 2025 or as the DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2025
This bill addresses various immigration-related issues, including by requiring higher pay for U.S. Border Patrol agents, deferring the removal of eligible individuals without lawful immigration status, and implementing a mandatory electronic employment eligibility verification system patterned off the E-Verify system.
The bill establishes several programs for individuals present in the United States without lawful status, including a path to lawful permanent resident status for qualified individuals, including those with deferred action for childhood arrival (DACA) status. In addition, the bill establishes the Dignity Program, which defers the removal of eligible individuals without lawful immigration status on a seven-year, renewable basis, provided individuals meet employment or education requirements, pay restitution, and satisfy other conditions.
The bill also makes various changes to penalties and processes applicable to individuals entering the United States, for example by
- increasing the maximum criminal penalty for individuals previously removed or denied admission to the United States who attempt to reenter,
- authorizing the use of DNA testing to verify family relationships of immigrants, and
- establishing campuses at the border to process asylees.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must create, and U.S. employers must use, a nationwide electronic employment eligibility verification system.
Furthermore, DHS may grant relatives of U.S. citizens relief from removal.
The bill also increases the per country percentage ceiling for family-sponsored and employment-based visas.
Timeline
- Jul 16, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 15, 2025Introduced in House
- Jul 15, 2025Introduced in House
Cosponsors (showing first 30 of 39)
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] D-TX
- Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] R-NY
- Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] D-NY
- Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22] R-CA
- Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3] D-MI
- Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4] R-WA
- Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] D-NV
- Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] R-PA
- Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13] D-CA
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] R-PA
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] D-CA
- Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8] R-CO
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] D-CA
- Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3] R-IN
- Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] D-IL
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] R-NE
- Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4] D-NY
- Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40] R-CA
- Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4] D-MA
- Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26] R-FL
- Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] D-MA
- Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4] R-IN
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] D-NY
- Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] R-PA
- Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18] D-NY
- Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large] R-MP
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] D-NV
- Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large] R-GU
- Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13] D-OH
- Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15] R-TX
In the News
- Is the Dignity Act "Amnesty"? My Conversation with Ashley DeAzevedo and Rebecca Shi - Austin Kocher | Substack
- The DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act as ‘Rage Bait’ for Those Who Want More Enforcement - Center for Immigration Studies
- Rep. María Elvira Salazar Joins Bipartisan Leaders to Launch National Dignity Coalition and Nationwide “Dignity Tour” - House.gov
- Press Release: Maria Salazar's DIGNITY Act Gains Over 75 Endorsements from Diverse Organizations | Stock News - Quiver Quantitative
- Immigration bill picks up steam with manufacturing endorsement - Manufacturing Dive
- DIGNITY Act Secures 35 Cosponsors as Bipartisan Support Accelerates - House.gov
- Dignity Act surpasses 25+ cosponsors, continues gaining bipartisan support. - House.gov
- DIGNITY ACT SECURES NEW NATIONAL ENDORSEMENTS AS FIRST MAJOR POLL SHOWS MOST AMERICANS SUPPORT THE PLAN - House.gov
- Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act - AgNet West
- "Dignity Act" would Flood U.S. with Foreign Labor - NumbersUSA
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