Latest news with #DignityAct
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Reset, not amnesty: A Florida lawmaker's immigration proposal
We have all heard the shouting: amnesty versus deportation. But I think Floridians and Americans are tired of the noise. They want something practical. Something just. A solution that does not punish the good or reward the worst. Here is the proposal I believe Congress should consider adopting. As a Republican state legislator in Florida representing Miami Beach, I see the real-life impact of federal inaction. Our border agents and immigration officers work tirelessly to protect the nation. They deserve a clear, enforceable policy that distinguishes between law-abiding individuals and bad actors. Unfortunately, Congress has yet to deliver the comprehensive solution Americans deserve. It is time for a one-time national reset. Here's how it would work: Every individual who entered this country unlawfully would be given 30 days to voluntarily come forward, plead guilty and agree to strict conditions. If they qualify and comply, they could avoid jail, fines or deportation. This is not amnesty. It is earned redemption. They must learn English, remain crime-free, maintain lawful employment and complete a probation period equal to the time they were undocumented. Employers would be required to register and report, ensuring labor clarity and legal protections across the board. Those who have built stable lives, contributed to their communities and followed the law in every other way should have a lawful, accountable path forward. I mean legal status with strict conditions, not automatic citizenship. Anyone who wants citizenship should go through the regular process. This is about restoring order and giving people a chance to do things right. This proposal is not about blanket citizenship. Of course, those involved in trafficking, fraud or repeat violations would face swift removal. And oversight should not grow government. We can partner with vetted nonprofits, legal clinics and employers to implement this program without building another bloated federal agency. Mixed-status families deserve stability. No U.S. citizen child should live in fear of losing a parent when a lawful alternative exists. And those who waited in line and followed the rules? They should go to the front. Doing it right should still matter. After the 30-day registration period, there would be a final 72-hour public warning. Then full enforcement begins. Those who refuse to comply or violate the terms should be treated as national security concerns and pursued accordingly. I am urging Congress to consider this plan. It is clear, constitutional and compassionate without being soft. It honors the hard work of law enforcement, restores order and closes loopholes without rewarding abuse. Other leaders have offered similar frameworks, including Miami Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar's Dignity Act. I have shared my proposal with her as part of this broader push for serious, solutions-based immigration reform. We may differ in some details, but the goal is the same: a secure, orderly and humane system that upholds the law without abandoning compassion. As a state leader, I support aligning our laws with strong federal enforcement and will work with my colleagues to pass supportive state-level measures. This is not about fear. It is about fairness. I do not want working families living in the shadows. I do not want our nation's values undermined. And I do not want to see another generation trapped in a system that punishes honesty and rewards manipulation. I understand why people flee broken countries. But America cannot fix the world by absorbing its failures. We can, however, invest in rebuilding institutions abroad, fighting corruption and restoring opportunity so fewer people feel forced to leave home in the first place. Let's rise above the extremes. Let's demand that Congress finally do its job. This is just my opinion. But I believe it is a starting point worth serious discussion. Fabián Basabe is a Republican state representative from Miami Beach. He was first elected in 2022.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
'Do it the right way.' Seeking illusive path for immigrants to legally come the U.S.
John Manley is sick of people telling immigrants to 'stand in line' and 'do it the right way.' An immigration attorney for almost three decades in Los Angeles, he said what most don't understand is that trying to legally come into the United States is nearly impossible for people from certain nations like Mexico. 'People are dying in line,' he said. In some cases, 'it's literally a 150 year wait.' Manley said one of his clients, a U.S. citizen originally from Mexico who petitioned his two brothers to become legal residents, waited more than 15 years and wound up burying them instead of giving them the good news. 'They're trying their best. They're waiting in line,' he said. 'But when you have a system that was essentially designed to fail from the beginning it's difficult to have faith in that system.' Immigration laws have not seen a wholesale reform in nearly 40 years, but as the Trump Administration cracks down on undocumented migrants, politicians are seeing a window of opportunity. Economists, immigration attorneys and scholars say that without another relief valve, it is not just the immigrants who will suffer but people in a wide swath of the economy. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) on Monday plans to introduce legislation that could potentially provide a path to citizenship to 11 million immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least seven years. With a Republican led House and Senate, the legislation, which died last year, is unlikely to pass, but Padilla said he wanted to re-introduce the bill because he sensed a 'mood shift' in Congress and across the country. He's not the only one. Earlier this month in the House, Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, (R-Fla.), and Veronica Escobar, (D-Texas) dusted off their legislation, the Dignity Act, which would give qualified undocumented immigrants living here prior 2021 up to seven years of legal status with work authorization. For decades, both Republicans and Democrats have tried and failed to bring reforms to what is widely viewed as an outdated system, which in the last fiscal year approved 3% of the 34.7 million pending green card applications, according to David Bier, a researcher at the Cato Institute. 'Given the extreme overreach of the Trump administration, I believe now's the time,' Padilla said. 'You talk to colleagues on both sides of the aisle about farm workers, agricultural workers. They say that farm workers deserve better, but the political will hasn't been there for many, many years.' But the imagery of Trump's enforcement actions against non-criminals — videos of mothers wailing as they're separated from children and arrests of workers and vendors outside of Home Depots — have seeped into the national consciousness and drawn criticism across political lines. A Gallup poll released earlier this month showed record-high support for immigration. When asked if immigration is generally a good thing or bad thing for the country, 79% of U.S. adults called it a good thing. And a record-low 17% viewed it as a bad thing. Just a year earlier, Americans concerned about their own pocketbooks were increasingly anxious about the waves of immigrants at the Southern border and voted in President Trump, whose hardline policies on immigration was at the center of his campaign. In 2024, Gallup poll showed that 64% viewed it as a good thing and 32% as a baad thing. When asked about the Dignity Act earlier this month, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the president had not read through the legislation but he 'has made it very clear, he will not support amnesty for illegal aliens in any way.' Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, America has looked the other way as immigrants have filled jobs picking in the fields, cooking and cleaning in the back of restaurants, taking care of children and building homes. But with the Trump Administration's stepped up enforcement, net migration will likely turn negative in 2025, and monthly job growth and the GDP could fall by the end of this year, according to a paper from the conservative American Enterprise Institute. One of the paper's authors, Brookings Institution economist Tara Watson, said this drop in migration hasn't happened since they have been keeping records in 1960. A typical year would bring in about 1.2 million people, about 600,000 of whom come legally on green cards from abroad and others who cross illegally or come seeking asylum or another status. The paper projects the U.S. could lose as much as 525,000 people and could reduce domestic product growth, or GDP by 0.3 to 0.4%. She called a projection in negative migration 'shocking.' 'All of the growth in our labor force comes from immigration,' she said. 'Our workforce that was born in the U.S. is actually now at the stage where it's shrinking.' If this trend continues to drag on, she said, it could make the United States less appealing to academics, scientists, tech workers and PhD students. 'We have built a whole infrastructure around global talent,' she said. 'If we lose that this could be a long run, really, really damaging effect on our economy. In the short run, I would say it's going to slow our growth.' Immigration-enforcement hardliners like Ira Melhman, with the Federation for American Immigration Reform, counters that an economy that is built on the cheap labor of immigrants degrades conditions for American workers. 'You can create self-fulfilling prophecies, that if you offer poor wages and poor working conditions, and Americans don't show up and apply for those jobs, and then you turn around and say, 'Well, you see, only immigrants will take them,'' he said. His group advocates for 'merit based migration' and says 'chain migration' or family-based migration needs to be eliminated except when it comes to immediate relatives. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the U.S. made admitting immigrants with relatives here a priority. The system replaced racially tinged national-origins quotas, that dated back to the 1920, and favored European immigrants. Every year about 1 million people get a green card — a prelude to citizenship — through four basic ways: a family relationship, work, a lottery system or as a refugee or asylee. The most common way is through family ties, and many of those approved are already living in the U.S. The current system imposes caps on the number of green cards approved for family - excluding immediate relatives — to 226,000 a year. And it also caps employment based green cards to 140,000 annually, although there are exceptions. Family relationships, like the one Manley's clients were using, are lifetime waits and many can take decades. If you applied for a Mexican sibling 24 years ago, your case would just be coming up. But those wait times are now longer, as the docket has grown. For India, cases 19 years old are now being approved, and for nearly all other countries it has been taking about 17 years. The declining birthrates and aging demographics means that the labor force can't keep up with demand. Bier has pointed out that the United States ranks in the bottom third of wealthy countries for immigrants per capita. The result is a pent up demand that lures workers to come illegally. 'There is a mismatch between the economy and the legal system that has created, for many years, a system where … the invitation to the workers is built in, but there's no lawful status offered,' said Hiroshi Motomura, co-director of UCLA 's Center for Immigration Law and Policy. 'And then what happens is their lives, the workers lives, become very precarious.' Carl Shusterman, an immigration lawyer who has been practicing since the 1970s says he sees it everyday near his home on the Westside and in his practice. 'Go into any restaurant and look at who's cooking the food, or you see who's building the buildings in the fancy, fancy neighborhoods, or who's mowing the lawns or taking care of the kids, or just pick almost any industries, and you'll see that either there's no way for these people to get legalized status.'
The Hill
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Rising: July 18, 2025
Trump goes off on WSJ, vows to sue outlet over Epstein story | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage discuss the latest in the Epstein files fallout. Alligator Alcatraz detainees say facility plagued by mosquitoes, sewage backups: Report | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage discuss the reported poor, even disturbing, conditions at Alligator Alcatraz ICE detention. IDF strikes Gaza's only Catholic church; Pope Leo respondS | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage react to the IDF blowing up the only Catholic church in Gaza. Watch: Cory Booker, Dems storm out of hearing on trump nominees Jeanine Pirro, Emil Bove | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage react to Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) getting fired up in a Senate confirmation hearing of Emil Bove, followed by a walkout staged by Democrats. Republicans ripped for supporting 'Dignity Act,' conservatives say will hurt Trump agenda | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage discuss the bipartisan, 'Dignity Act,' which would grant some migrant workers protected status. Joy Reid, Piers Morgan get into heated debate over Trump, 'race card' | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage react to contentious debate between Piers Morgan and Joy Reid. CBS axing Stephen Colbert's Late Show; Elizabeth Warren sounds alarm | RISING Amber Duke and Niall Stanage react to news that, 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' will not be renewed after 2026. Amber Duke and Niall Stanage weigh in on ex-HGTV star Chip Gaines for allowing a show on his wife Joanna's Magnolia Network that features a same-sex couple.
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Steve Bannon Rebukes 'Traitorous' Republicans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon issued a sharp rebuke Thursday against Republican lawmakers backing the Dignity Act, an updated bill proposing a pathway to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants. "Message to [Republican Representative Maria Elvira] Salazar and other traitorous Republicans: MASS DEPORTATIONS NOW; AMNESTY NEVER," Bannon, who served as the CEO of Trump's 2016 campaign and remains a key figure within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, wrote on Gettr on Thursday morning. Bannon told Newsweek via phone on Thursday that the legislation has "zero chance" of going anywhere, adding that Salazar has "been pushing amnesty since she got to Congress." Why It Matters Nine Republican House lawmakers on Tuesday signed on to the reintroduction of an immigration-related bill called the Dignity Act that legislative sponsors say provides an "updated compromise" addressing legal status and protections for undocumented immigrants, border security, asylum reform, and visa reform. What to Know The Dignity Act, introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, has drawn both bipartisan support and fierce criticism from the Republican Party's hardline wing. The proposed legislation, co-led by Salazar of Florida and Democrat Veronica Escobar of Texas, would grant legal status and protections to undocumented immigrants, overhaul the asylum process, and create a regulated pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and others residing in the U.S. without legal authorization. Backers have called it "the most impactful immigration reform in a generation." Salazar told reporters on Wednesday in Washington that the bill does not provide amnesty, nor does it provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Chief Strategist to the President Steve Bannon speaks during the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 at Conrad Washington on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Chief Strategist to the President Steve Bannon speaks during the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 at Conrad Washington on April 23, 2025 in Washington, told Newsweek via phone on Thursday that the legislation has "zero chance" of going anywhere, adding that Salazar has "been pushing amnesty since she got to Congress." "She calls it a different thing, always has a different spin on amnesty," Bannon said. "Right now, people, the only thing they're interested in is mass deportations. They wanna see the deportations kick up." Support for the bill among Republicans has included Representatives Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart (Florida), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), Mike Lawler (New York), Dan Newhouse (Washington), David Valadao (California), Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania), Gabe Evans (Colorado), Marlin Stutzman (Indiana), Don Bacon (Nebraska), and Young Kim (California). The measure is also supported by 11 Democrats. Part of the legislation included allowing undocumented immigrants who have been in the U.S. since prior to 2021 to apply for up to seven years of legal status with work authorization, provided that they pay restitution and check in regularly with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "Don't get me wrong, the reason that we have the situation that we have with 10 or 20 million coming in during [President Joe] Biden's because of RINO [Republicans In Name Only] Republicans that have wanted and teased amnesty to attract people. The whole DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] fight and everything about amnesty attracts more people coming here 'cause they figure if they come here, they're eventually going to get a path to citizenship." This issue is "exactly" what has galvanized a stronger conservative of minorities, including Hispanics and African Americans, to vote more heavily for Trump in 2024, Bannon added. "[They are] finally coming our way and voting for us exactly on this issue, that there's not going to be any path to citizenship for anyone coming here illegally," he said. "People know that's what's driving down wages and making the schools intolerable, and destroying health care and deferring healthcare. It's a political winner. "But Salazar and people like her, her co-sponsors are always going to continue to bring her fantasy, and that just attracts more people to the United States." The 22-page bill summary presents myriad options for immigration reform, including the following major revisions: Granting legal status and protections to undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. Reforming the asylum screening process to provide an opportunity for review and access to counsel. Creating new regional processing centers so migrants do not have to make the "perilous journey" to the U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum. Investing in border security and modernizing land ports of entry. Mandating accountability for ICE. Providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The bill also alludes to the "recent riots in Los Angeles," a line that has drawn consternation across conservative circles. Bannon's criticism reflects a wider rift within the party over immigration policy. The Dignity Act stands in contrast to President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB)," which recently increased funding for enforcement and eliminated bond hearings for undocumented immigrants facing deportation. That legislation does not include a pathway to legal status or citizenship, focusing instead on deportation and stricter asylum rules. With the Dignity Act facing opposition from some within the party and advocacy from others citing economic needs and border reforms, intraparty divisions remain front and center as the debate over immigration continues. What People Are Saying Representative Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida on NBC's Meet the Press on Wednesday: "The border is secured, the BBB assures $150 billion for border security on the southern border. Now is the time to have a national conversation as to what we're going to do with those people who have been here over five years. They are needed in the economy and don't have a criminal record. Dignity is the best solution; it's not a path to citizenship, it's not amnesty. It lets them stay, work and pay taxes." Representative Veronica Escobar, in a statement earlier this week: "I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of our broken immigration system, and as a member of Congress, I take seriously my obligation to propose a solution. Realistic, common-sense compromise is achievable, and is especially important given the urgency of this moment. I consider the Dignity Act of 2025 a critical first step to overhauling this broken system." Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi told Newsweek on Tuesday: "Without congressional action to roll back many of the core immigration elements of H.R. 1—especially the funding and restrictions around detention, deportations, and parole—there's really no practical space for the Dignity Act's approach," Berardi said. "However, I do think this framework could help create bipartisan conversations focused on creating easier work-visa access and temporary status for migrant workers in industries like agriculture, hospitality, health care and manufacturing. Azoria CEO James Fishback on X: "No, Maria—the LA riots are a reason to *triple down* on deportations. MAGA is not gonna let Country Club Republicans give amnesty to illegals because they don't want to pay Americans a real wage to trim the Bermuda on hole nine. Also, it's disgraceful to call it the 'Dignity Act' when it disgraces the dignity of every American who pays taxes and follows the law—only to watch their job handed to one of Salazar's new 'constituents.'" What Happens Next Trump's bill, signed into law last weekend, drastically increases funding for immigration enforcement efforts, likely leading to more detentions and deportations.
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Full List of Republicans Backing Citizenship Path for Some Illegal Migrants
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Nine Republican House lawmakers on Tuesday signed on to the reintroduction of an immigration-related bill called the Dignity Act that legislative sponsors say provides an "updated compromise" addressing legal status and protections for undocumented immigrants, border security, asylum reform, and visa reform. Why It Matters President Donald Trump's promise to lead the most aggressive administration in deterring illegal immigration has led to massive downturns in U.S.-Mexico border crossings and a major uptick in arrests of immigrants, most purported to be in the country illegally. However, other policy aspects, including the mechanisms employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), changes for green card holders, and nefarious effects on workplaces due to a labor shortage, have compounded an issue integral to the president's 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, a new Gallup poll released July 11 showed a steep drop among Republicans wanting immigration levels into the U.S. decreased—falling from 88 percent in 2024, down to 48 percent in June. The same survey showed an increase in Republicans who view immigration's positive effects on the U.S. What To Know U.S. House Representatives Democrat Veronica Escobar of Texas and Republican Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, on Tuesday, touted the Dignity Act of 2025, which provides a broader legislative framework as opposed to the bipartisan bill of the same name initially introduced in 2023. Salazar, in a post on X, called it "the most impactful immigration reform in a generation." Newsweek reached out to Salazar and Escobar via email for comment. Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 03, 2025 in Washington, 22-page bill summary presents myriad options for immigration reform, including the following major revisions: Granting legal status and protections to undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. Reforming the asylum screening process to provide an opportunity for review and access to counsel. Creating new regional processing centers so migrants do not have to make the "perilous journey" to the U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum. Investing in border security and modernizing land ports of entry. Mandating accountability for ICE. Providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) charges a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee starting next year, for example, while a new Trump policy directive reported Tuesday by The Washington Post would eliminate bond hearings for undocumented immigrants facing deportation—potentially leading to prolonged detention for millions. The following lists all the Republican lawmakers who support the bill: Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart (Florida) Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) Mike Lawler (New York) Dan Newhouse (Washington) David Valadao (California) Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania) Gabe Evans (Colorado) Marlin Stutzman (Indiana) Don Bacon (Nebraska) Young Kim (California) The following lists all the Democratic lawmakers who support the bill: Salud Carbajal (California) Lori Trahan (Massachusetts) Adam Gray (California) Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts) Nikki Budzinski (Illinois) Adriano Espaillat (New York) Greg Landsman (Ohio) Susie Lee (Nevada) Mike Levin (California) Laura Gillen (New York) Hillary Scholten (Michigan) Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi told Newsweek on Tuesday that the legislation faces an "uphill battle" as its legalization conflicts with priorities embedded in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its "enforcement-first" immigration policy. She cited how though the Dignity Act establishes a lengthy "dignity program" that gives undocumented individuals a chance to earn legal status and, eventually, a green card, H.R.1 [One Big Beautiful Bill Act] provides no legalization route and instead "doubles down on immigration enforcement" by funding mass deportations, detention expansions, and border wall construction. Similarly, where the Dignity Act would allow temporary admission through special permission, H.R. 1 tightens those permissions, brings back strict asylum rules, and adds steep new application fees, she said. "Without congressional action to roll back many of the core immigration elements of H.R. 1—especially the funding and restrictions around detention, deportations, and parole—there's really no practical space for the Dignity Act's approach," Berardi said. "However, I do think this framework could help create bipartisan conversations focused on creating easier work-visa access and temporary status for migrant workers in industries like agriculture, hospitality, health care and manufacturing. "I want to believe Congress can find a middle ground on immigration that our economy urgently needs to stabilize the labor supply and provide accountability and legal clarity for the people doing work no one else will." What People Are Saying Representative Maria Elvira Salazar on Tuesday on Fox & Friends: "They did break the law. They are illegals or undocumented. But they have been here for more than five years, contributing to the economy. Those people, someone gave them a job, and they are needed because we need hands in order to continue being the number one economy in the world." Representative Veronica Escobar in a statement: "I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of our broken immigration system, and as a member of Congress, I take seriously my obligation to propose a solution. Realistic, common-sense compromise is achievable, and is especially important given the urgency of this moment. I consider the Dignity Act of 2025 a critical first step to overhauling this broken system." Representative Adam Gray of California said in a statement, "The Central Valley cannot function without our immigrant community. For generations, people from all over the world have come to the Valley to work hard, pay taxes, and provide for their families. Without them, our economy would crumble. The bipartisan Dignity Act reflects this reality and addresses our broken immigration system, strengthens our southern border, fixes our visa backlog, and grants legal status to hardworking, law-abiding immigrants already living in the United States." Representative Hilary Scholten of Michigan said in a statement, "As an attorney who has worked on immigration issues, both at the nation's top law enforcement agency and at a community legal aid organization, helping migrants in West Michigan, I know this system. I've seen firsthand what patchwork and reactionary immigration policies do to families and communities, and I remain committed to creating a system that is both fair and humane, balancing humanitarian concerns with law enforcement." What Happens Next Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill", signed into law last weekend, drastically increases funding for immigration enforcement efforts, likely leading to more detentions and deportations.
