June 8th, 2023 at 04:36 am

New Dignity Act June 2023 | US Immigration Reform

New changes to the “DIGNIDAD Act” for immigration reform. This bipartisan effort is being made by more than 4 in 5 Americans, according to new polling. Republicans and Democrats should collaborate on immigration measures that solve labor shortages and inflation, according to 80% of Republican registered voters. Additionally, they defend citizens of the US who are actively participating in their neighborhoods.

Rep. Salazar stated at the introduction of the measure that the bill is meant to adhere to the biblical ideals of Dignity and Redemption. To satisfy the demands of the American economy and to support American workers, the measure also aims to modernize the immigration system in the United States.

The acronym for the measure is the DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023, which stands for “Dignity for Immigrants while Guarding the Nation’s Rights to Ignite & Deliver the American Dream Act of 2023.” The five sections of the bill are as follows:

1. Border Security for America Act

The legislation mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) place personnel, tactical infrastructure, technological advances, and physical obstacles where they will be most useful along the border. It specifically authorizes spending of at least $35 billion to upgrade and strengthen the technology and infrastructure between and at ports of entry.

Additionally, it updates the US asylum system so that the majority of applicants will receive a decision on their eligibility for asylum at the border within 60 days.

Point A Border Security, Barriers & Technology

Establishes a $25 billion budget that will be available in installments through fiscal year (FY) 2031 to finish building a secure border infrastructure system. The bill contains several provisions relating to border technology and infrastructure, such as funding task groups for tunnels, etc. Additionally, it amends the statute to expressly permit the installation of physical barriers and barrier levees.

Ports of Entry

Authorizes the spending of $10 billion (or $2 billion annually) over the fiscal years (FYs) 2024 to 2028 on enhancements, such as the building of new ports or the renovation and extension of existing ports as necessary.

Personnel

The legislation mandates that CBP hire 22,478 Border Patrol agents, 27,725 Office of Field Services officers at checkpoints of entry, and 1,200 CBP processing coordinators as a minimum staffing level by September 30, 2025.

Biometric Exit

By the bill, DHS must set up a biometric exit data system at all land, sea, and air ports within 5 years. It grants funding of $100 million.

Operation Stonegarden Under the bill

For the fiscal years 2024 to 2028, this award program will be supported with $110 million, up from $90 million in FY 2023. To help improve border security, the award gives money to state, local, tribal, and other organizations close to the border.

Asylum Reform

A majority of asylum petitions would be decided upon at the border by an asylum officer within 60 days under the proposed reforms to the US asylum system. Additionally, it precludes the majority of people from being released from detention while they await the outcome of their claim.

Referral to Immigration Judge

The proposed legislation would establish a procedure wherein asylum claimants would be given the notice to appear, freed from the humanitarian campus, enrolled in a case monitoring program, and subject to weekly check-ins and GPS tracking.

2. American Dream and Promise

The bill gives Dreamers, including those with DACA, and some individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the chance to obtain legal status. Additionally, the Dignity Program established gives undocumented immigrants the opportunity to qualify for legal status provided they meet specific standards.

Dreamers

A provision of the Dream Act that enables young illegal immigrants who arrived in the US as youngsters and have spent the majority of their life there to gain legal status is included in the measure. Up to 1.9 million Dreamers, roughly 600,000 DACA recipients, might receive permission to reside and work in the US under this measure.

A “conditional permanent resident status” would be available to Dreamers and DACA recipients for up to ten years. They would, however, escape deportation, have permission to work legally in the US, and also to leave the country.

TPS Holders

A variant of the American Promise Act is included in this section, enabling some TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure holders to become lawful permanent residents. 335,000 TPS holders might be able to continue to reside and work in the US as a result.

Dignity Program

Undocumented immigrants in the US might obtain legal status under the Dignity Program if they satisfied certain requirements, including clearing a criminal background check and paying back any due taxes. To be eligible, participants must also make restitution.

3. Improving Season Guest Worker Opportunities

Any employee who entered the country on an H-2B visa during any of the three prior fiscal years would fall under the expanded definition of “returning worker” provided by this provision.

H-2B Cap Relief

Any employee who entered the country on an H2B visa for transitory guest workers during one of the three prior fiscal years qualifies as a “returning worker.” The measure gives the Department of Labor the authority to look into potential violations of the H-2B program and take appropriate legal action. Moreover, this will set up a complaint mechanism and apply penalties, such as temporary or permanent exclusion from the program for repeated infractions.

The legislation mandates the creation and upkeep of worksite compliance and security strategies for H-2B firms. Additionally, it forbids firms or recruiters from charging for the hiring of H-2B workers.

4. American Agricultural Dominance Act

The proposed legislation would establish Certified Agricultural Worker status, a new uncapped temporary work visa scheme for current undocumented farmworkers. The CAW visa would have a five-and-a-half-year validity period and qualify for renewal.

Unauthorized immigrants who worked in agriculture for at least 180 days over the previous two years would be eligible for the Certified Agricultural Worker visa. Additional H-2A visas would involve made available for undocumented farmworkers who haven’t put in enough time to qualify and haven’t worked enough days. Consequently, farmworkers who have labored for at least 100 days in the past three years, which is a lower criterion.
Additionally, the legislation would enable companies to submit their H-2A applications through a single site.

5. American Prosperity & Competitiveness

The measure modernizes certain facets of the legal immigration process in the US with a focus on preserving intact families, cutting back on backlogs, and enhancing employment-based prospects.

Spouses or Children of an LPR

Spouses and youngsters of legal residents will be exempt from the bill’s current family priority green card cap. Also, the F1 family preference category would receive the 89,700 annual visas typically given to spouses and minor children of LPRs. As a result, the annual allocation of visas for that group will rise from 23,400 to 111,300.

Elimination of backlogs

There is a maximum 10-year wait time for legitimate visas. That visa grants to people in the backlog for more than ten years.

Per-Country Caps

The measure increases the annual cap on green cards issued to one country from 7% to 15% of all employment-based or family-sponsored preference visas. This clause intends to decrease and ultimately eliminate country-specific backlogs when used in conjunction with other reforms.

Documented Dreamers

Due to delays in visa availability, the law prevents Documented Dreamers from losing their status once they turn 21.

F-1 Visas for International Students

The proposed legislation would convert overseas students’ F student visas into dual-intent visas. International students do not need to provide proof that they want to return home after finishing their education.

Employment-Based Visas

The proposed legislation would stop derivatives deduction against the annual visa cap. Only the main applicant would number in the total number of visas under this clause. Without changing visa caps, this proposal might result in a 50% rise in the yearly intake of high-skilled employees.

H-4 Visa Work Authorization

The partners of H-1B immigrants have guaranteed work authorization under this clause after regaining possession of their H-4 visa.

O-Visa Eligibility

For students with a Ph.D. degree in an area connected to STEM or medicine, the proposed legislation would establish a presumption of eligibility for an O visa, which only grants to those with remarkable talent. Additionally, the legislation would establish an Immigration Agency Coordinator to coordinate immigration activities at USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor. Additionally, it would fund $3.5 billion to help with processing improvements. This will as well clear backlogs in visa and work permit applications.

Visit Newsnowgh.com for the most up-to-date information on changes to visa criteria, prospective paths to obtaining legal residency, and others.

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