B Stands for Bill 

Good afternoon,

Last week, Congresswoman Maria Salazar (FL-27) along with other Republican House members introduced the Dignity Act, an immigration reform bill focused on three main principles: halting illegal immigration, providing a dignified solution for immigrants residing in the United States, and strengthening our country’s workforce and economy. We applaud Congresswoman Salazar for taking this crucial step to begin a conversation toward positive immigration reform. 

Introducing such bills is important to restart the conversation on immigration reforms in Congress. Many of the provisions in the bill align with the National Immigration Forum’s vision, such as a strong border enhanced by technology, policies that support a strong economy for our country, and most importantly, a legal pathway to undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.  

We urge Republican and Democrat lawmakers to work together to pass legislation that respects and values immigrants while simultaneously helping our country flourish economically to effectively compete on the world stage. Serious bipartisan negotiations toward a comprehensive immigration package are fundamental to this goal.  The sentiment of "We the people" represents the hope of the oppressed. Together we can offer millions of our immigrant neighbors hope to earn legal status and be productive in our nation.  

The Dignity Act is a step in the right direction towards a sincere conversation around fair and humane legal immigration pathways for those living in the shadows.  Congresswoman Salazar and the other co-sponsors also recognize that our current asylum adjudication system needs to be reformed through smart border technology, and that agricultural visas need to be restructured as well. As the United States struggles through a labor shortage crisis, seasonal businesses will be wiped out unless our domestic workforce is supplemented.  

We at the National Immigration Forum invite you to continue to support us in pushing for consensus on immigration reforms to shore up our labor force, help struggling American companies meet their critical workforce needs, offer certainty to all of us who depend on Dreamers and farm workers, and treat migrants at our borders and in our communities with respect and fairness.  

"The introduction of the Dignity Act represents a decisive, constructive step toward immigration reforms that are long overdue. We are glad to see Republicans take this step and start a good-faith conversation around legal immigration pathways that are responsible and humane," said Ali Noorani, President & CEO of the National Immigration Forum. 

Many Americans see an urgent need in coming together to agree on dignified solutions to our broken immigration system that will benefit us all. Inaction is not an option.  

Stay healthy and hopeful, 

Oula  

Oula Alrifai 
Assistant Vice President of Field and Constituencies 
National Immigration Forum  

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE: 

MIAMI HERALD: Rep. Salazar’s immigration bill offers path to legal residency, requires E-verify use 

BAPTIST STANDARD: Evangelicals hopeful as immigration reform proposed 

THE HILL: Poll: 70 percent of Americans support a path to citizenship 

THE DISPATCH: Florida’s Fight With Faith Groups Over Unaccompanied Minors