WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), bipartisan legislation to permanently secure the border and fix our broken immigration system.
The bill has five key components: (1) permanently securing the border; (2) modernizing our outdated asylum system; (3) providing legal pathways for undocumented immigrants living in America; (4) protecting American workers; and (5) ensuring the United States remains prosperous and competitive in the future. Together, these policies provide a practical, bipartisan path toward a more secure, orderly, and fair immigration system. Crucially, the legislation would not require any taxpayer funding and would reduce the national debt by up to $50 billion.
Key Provisions of the Dignity Act:
Border Security and Interior Enforcement:
- Maintains complete operational control of the Southern Border.
- Mandates construction of enhanced physical barriers.
- Deploys improved technology at the border.
- Increases penalties for illegal border crossers.
- Enacts strongest penalties possible for child sex traffickers.
- Implements nationwide mandatory E-Verify.
Asylum Reform:
- Permanently ends catch-and-release.
- Builds humanitarian campuses near the southern border to process asylum seekers in federal custody.
- Expedites asylum processing with determinations within 60 days.
- Increases penalties for asylum fraud.
Legal Pathways:
- Creates Dignity Program offering a 7-year temporary legal status for undocumented immigrants that have been here 5 years or more (since before 2021).
- Must pass a criminal background check.
- Must pay $7,000 in restitution over 7 years.
- No federal benefits or entitlements.
- No path to citizenship.
- Once completed, can continue to stay and work in the United States.
Protecting American Workers:
- Creates a new $70 billion fund for training and upskilling American workers.
- Offers grants for apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and higher education.
- Uses funds paid by immigrants in the Dignity Program.
- Supports American industries by addressing labor shortages.
- Ensures the agricultural workforce needed to keep grocery stores stocked and food affordable.
Spurring Economic Growth:
- Fixes the legal immigration system to help ensure a competitive workforce for the future.
- Reduces backlogs for high-skilled employment-based worker visas.
- Funds improvements for Ports of Entry to increase legal commerce and expedite cross-border trade.
- Pays down U.S. debt by at least $50 billion.
The Dignity Act was introduced by Representatives Maria Salazar (FL-27), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Mike Lawler (NY-17), David Valadao (CA-22), Susie Lee (NV-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Don Bacon (NE-02), Young Kim (CA-40), and 10 others. Additional cosponsors include Representatives Tom Suozzi (NY-03), James Moylan (GU-At Large), Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13), Jim Costa (CA-21), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02). The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Salazar and Scholten.
The legislation has been endorsed by more than 90 organizations across the faith, business, national security, and civic sectors. You can view a complete list of endorsing organizations HERE.
“Real solutions are built by bringing people together and doing the work across the aisle,” said Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-07). “The endorsement from the Problem Solvers Caucus marks a major step forward and reflects a shared commitment to practical, bipartisan solutions. The Dignity Act remains the most serious and viable path forward to addressing our immigration crisis: one that secures the border, restores accountability, prioritizes American workers, and strengthens our economy. The American people are demanding results, and we are making progress in delivering them.”
“It is beyond time Congress delivers practical reforms to our broken immigration system, and this endorsement shows the bipartisan consensus that the status quo is simply not acceptable anymore,” said Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03). “The Dignity Act is a serious, comprehensive solution that would restore order at the border, fix a flawed asylum system, and create an accountable, earned pathway for people who have been here for years. It also takes on the real workforce challenges I hear about every day from employers across West Michigan. I’m focused on getting it across the finish line and signed into law, and I’m grateful to see its support continue to grow.”
“America is a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants—not one or the other, but both. That principle has guided our work on immigration reform, and it is the standard any serious solution must meet. For too long, Washington has turned a broken system into a political weapon. The Dignity Act offers a responsible bipartisan path forward: securing the border, restoring order, protecting American workers, and ensuring legal status is earned through accountability and respect for the law. This is not amnesty; it is common sense, compassion, and the rule of law working together. The American people know this problem can be solved. Now it is time for Congress to finally get it done,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).
“For too long, politicians on both sides have used immigration as a political weapon, pointing fingers instead of solving the problem. I’ve long fought for comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that secures our border, fixes our broken asylum system, and legalizes people who have been here for years, committing no crimes and contributing to our communities,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “We can secure our border and treat people like human beings. We can deport violent criminals and give hard-working families a fair shot. We can enforce our laws and uphold core American values of freedom and opportunity. The American people are tired of the excuses and political games. They want leaders to come together and finally get this done.”