Explainer: The Dignity Act 2025

On July 15, Representatives Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) introduced the Dignity Act of 2025 alongside 18 cosponsors, nine from each side of the aisle. An earlier version of the bill was introduced in 2023 but did not progress past introduction in the House of Representatives. 

This explainer provides a detailed overview of the reforms, changes, and updates to the immigration system, as proposed in the Dignity Act of 2025.

Here’s what’s in the Dignity Act:

1. Individuals Released under Order of Release on Recognizance

Cuban individuals who were released from border custody into the United States under Order of Release on Recognizance, would be considered to have been paroled into the United States. This applies to individuals who were released with the form on or before January 31, 2023. This change enables individuals with I-220A paperwork and others to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, which would relieve them of the uncertainty that has plagued the community since the beginning of the Trump Administration.

2. The Dream Act

Under the Dream Act, DACA recipients and other individuals would be eligible for lawful permanent residency (LPR) on a conditional basis if they meet the following requirements:

• Have been not left the US for more than 90 days at one time, or 180 days total since January 1, 2021

• Were 18 years old or younger when they entered the US

• Have completed high school, received a GED, or are currently enrolled in secondary school

• Do not have a felony (excluding traffic offenses and possession of cannabis), multiple misdemeanors or been convicted for domestic violence

Recipients of LPR through the Dream Act would have residency for ten years as long as they adhere to the above requirements. If their status is revoked, they must be notified and have a chance to appear for a hearing. This conditional nature of this status would be removed if recipients remain in the US, can meet basic English requirements, demonstrate an understanding of U.S. history and civics, and achieve one of the following:

• Obtain a college or graduate degree

• Serve at least three years in the military

• Be employed and working for at least four years

3. The Dignity Program

The Dignity Act establishes a program, known as the “Dignity Program,” which would provide eligible undocumented individuals protection from removal proceedings, work authorization, and travel authorization all for a period of 7 years.

To be eligible for the program, undocumented individuals must have been physically present in the United States since December 31, 2020. Applicants for the program must complete background checks, submit biometric and biographic data, and pay $1,000. Over the course of the 7 year program, participants would be expected to pay an additional $6,000 to the Department of Homeland Security. They would not have access to federal benefits or entitlements.

After participants complete the 7 year program (and complied with all requirements), they would be granted “Dignity Status.” This status is valid for a period of 7 years with the option to renew an unlimited number of times. It provides lawful status as a nonimmigrant, work authorization, and travel authorization; however recipients would remain ineligible for federal benefits or entitlements.

Dignity Status could only be terminated following the issuance of a final order of removal. The status does not provide a pathway forward to citizenship, and individuals on the status cannot sponsor family members to immigrate to the US legally. 

4. Asylum Reform

The Dignity Act establishes at least three “humanitarian campuses” to be situated in high traffic sectors of the U.S. Border Patrol, along the southern land border of the US. These humanitarian campuses would carry out processing and management activities, including conducting background checks, medical screenings, and credible fear interviews for asylum seekers. Non-governmental organizations, medical staff, and legal support would be present to provide crucial assistance to asylum seekers. People seeking protection would be provided a legal orientation, and would complete a full screening, including a credible fear interview, within 15 days of being processed at a campus.

After an initial screening is completed and the credible fear interview is passed, individuals would be transferred to an asylum process where their cases would be heard by asylum officers. This secondary screening would be completed within 45 days of the completion of the initial screening. A two-person asylum officer panel would conduct the secondary screening. If both asylum officers approve the application for asylum, then the individual would be granted asylum. If both officers deny, then the application for asylum would be denied. If the officers disagree, the case would be referred to an immigration judge for a hearing.

In the event that an asylum applicant appeals the denial of their application, it would be subject to an expedited review by a two-asylum officer panel, including two officers other than the ones who conducted the secondary screening. These officers would be required to come to a decision on the case within 7 days. If the individual’s application is denied again, they would be issued a final order of removal and barred from seeking any judicial review. If the officers conclude that the first panel has made an error in denying the application, the case would be referred to an immigration judge.

5. Addressing Visa Backlogs

The Dignity Act caps visa backlogs at a maximum of 10 years, providing for a transition period until 2035, during which consulates would increase their processing capacity. 

The bill also reforms “per-country-caps,” the numerical limit on the issuance of visas to individuals from each country. Out of 140,000 employment-based visas available every year, only 7% of those visas can go to individuals from a single country annually. If the number of individuals being sponsored exceeds 7 percent of the 140,000, a backlog forms. The bill increases the per-country-caps from 7 percent to 15 percent, potentially decreasing delays for nationals of specific countries like Mexico and China. Moreover, the bill would exclude spouses and children of employment-based immigrants from the visa cap, effectively doubling annual employment-based visas.

6. Western Hemisphere Facilities

The Dignity Act establishes three facilities to be placed throughout the Western hemisphere, either in South America, Central America, or in a country that participates in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a regional U.S. foreign assistance program. The facilities would offer asylum prescreening, which could be conducted virtually. A family reunification process would be offered for unmarried sons and daughters under the age of 21 seeking to be reunited with any parent with legal status in the US. Consultations would be offered to individuals seeking to apply for legal work visas and assess other legal pathways to citizenship. Additionally, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State are tasked with ensuring that individuals are provided with regional economic opportunities in close proximity to the facilities.

Main Takeaway

The Dignity Act stands as a bipartisan effort of immigration reform that could serve to protect undocumented people from detentions and removals, and provide them with a path to permanent legal status in the US.