New bipartisan bill gives legal status to immigrants in US
Joe Khalil and Katie Smith
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/im...ants-in-us/amp/

(NewsNation) — After years of failed attempts at reforming the nation’s border security and immigration system, two lawmakers introduced a new comprehensive immigration bill that may have the best chance of garnering serious bipartisan support of any similar measure in over a decade.

Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) partnered to create The Dignity Act of 2023, the details of which NewsNation obtained Tuesday.
El Paso extends migrant emergency despite drop in apprehensions, releases

The bill touches on border security and infrastructure, creates new pathways for asylum, and offers legal options for unaccompanied minors entering the United States. If passed, it would shift the nation’s goal from eliminating all unlawful border crossings to instead being better positioned to detect and interdict those that present a threat or national security concerns.

Notably, the bill creates the Dignity Program and a “Dignity” legal status, which would grant undocumented people in the U.S. legal status, work and travel authority. It also would grant them a permanently renewable legal status for as long as they meet the criteria, potentially impacting as many as 11 million undocumented people.

It lays out plans to fund border infrastructure and equipment that includes technology upgrades, research and task force development. However, it does not provide money to continue construction of former President Donald Trump’s wall project. The bill also invests in border communities by codifying the newly created Shelter and Services Program and funds and expands ports of entry.

Program participants would be required to pay $5,000 over the span of seven years. They must also pass a criminal background check, pay any outstanding taxes, and begin or continue paying taxes. Those who are eligible would also have to option to enlist in the U.S. Military as an avenue to pursue citizenship.

Other key points of the bill include:

Funding for border infrastructure and equipment
The development of a five-year technology investment plan
Funding for additional CBP agents and officers, incentives for retaining the current workforce, and increased training
$2.56 billion to the Operations and Support Account-- excerpt, rest at link above --


Call your reps!

Quote: Sanguine wrote in post #1

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...potentially impacting as many as 11 million undocumented people.

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Quote: EdJames wrote in post #2

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Quote: Sanguine wrote in post #1

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...potentially impacting as many as 11 million undocumented people.

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Yeah, that's right... there are only 11 million of them out there....

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