In a significant bipartisan effort to modernize the U.S. immigration system, Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) have introduced the Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) in the House of Representatives. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate the long-standing green card backlog and bring comprehensive relief to families, skilled workers, and children of visa holders facing legal uncertainty.
Key Provisions of the Dignity Act of 2025:
Premium Processing for Long-Term Applicants: Individuals who have been waiting over ten years in the green card queue under family- or employment-based categories may opt to pay a $20,000 premium fee to fast-track their permanent residency applications.
Green Card Cap Increase: The bill proposes to raise the per-country green card cap from 7% to 15%, a move designed to ease wait times for applicants from high-demand countries like India and China.
Relief for Documented Dreamers: The legislation includes provisions to protect documented dreamers—children of long-term visa holders—by granting eligibility for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status to those who have lived in the U.S. for at least ten cumulative years.
Student and Worker Visa Reforms:
F-1 student visas would be reclassified as dual intent, allowing graduates to pursue permanent residency without the burden of proving ties to their home countries.
OPT participants would begin contributing to Social Security and Medicare.
Derivative family members would be excluded from annual visa caps, increasing availability for primary applicants.
The O visa category would be broadened to presumptively include PhD holders in STEM and medical fields, recognizing them as individuals of extraordinary ability.
A Bipartisan Approach to a Long-Standing Challenge
Rep. Salazar emphasized the nonpartisan nature of the bill, stating, “This bill is not about left or right. It’s about solving a problem that’s been broken for decades. The American people are ready for a solution that is both tough and fair.”
The Dignity Act of 2025 builds upon an earlier version introduced in 2023, reflecting renewed bipartisan momentum to overhaul outdated immigration policies and address systemic inefficiencies. If passed, the bill seeks to eliminate the legal immigration visa backlog by 2035, offering a balanced approach that supports economic growth, family unity, and fairness.
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