The Dignity Act of 2023 is a proposed bill to reform immigration laws in the United States.
The “Bipartisan Immigration Bill 2023” refers to the Dignity Act of 2023 and a separate bill introduced in 2024. Here’s what you need to know about each:
Border Security
- Increased funding for technology, personnel, and infrastructure at the borders.
- Shifts the focus from complete prevention of entries to strategic control of high-priority areas.
- Requires assessments of threats along both northern and southern borders.
Legal Status for Undocumented Immigrants
- Creates a “Dignity Program” offering a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants who meet certain requirements.
- Establishes a separate program for undocumented agricultural workers.
Pathways to Citizenship
- Provides a path to citizenship for Dreamers (brought to the US illegally as children).
- Creates pathways for families to reunite and for military service members to become citizens.
Asylum Reform
- Establishes regional processing centers in Latin America to screen asylum seekers.
- Sets timelines for processing asylum claims within the US.
- Offers opportunities for review of negative asylum decisions.
Workforce
- Implements mandatory E-Verify (electronic verification of employment eligibility) alongside granting work authorization to undocumented immigrants.
- Reduces visa backlogs and raises caps on the number of visas issued.
- Creates new visa categories for temporary stays and for spouses of certain visa holders.
- Reforms guest worker programs to better serve businesses and workers.
Overall, the Dignity Act of 2023 addresses various aspects of immigration, aiming for increased border security, a fairer approach to undocumented immigrants, and a more efficient legal immigration system.