The so-called US ‘Dignity Act’ 2023 has now been introduced to the House of Representatives. A bipartisan effort to drive forward US immigration reform, the Act seeks to address labor shortages and inflation while protecting those already in the US who are contributing to their communities.
The bill’s title stands for ‘‘Dignity for Immigrants while Guarding our Nation to Ignite and Deliver the American Dream Act of 2023’’ or the ‘‘DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023. The bill is intended to strengthen US border security, provide undocumented individuals with an opportunity to obtain legal status if they meet certain requirements, and to modernize aspects of the US legal immigration system to meet the country’s economic needs in a way that supports American workers.
The bill is divided into the following sections:
- Border Security for America Act
- American Dream and Promise
- Improving Season Guest Worker Opportunities
- American Agricultural Dominance Act
- American Prosperity and Competitiveness
In relation to economic migration, the bill would increase high-skilled visa opportunities, improve ports of entry, and support American agriculture, attract talented immigrants to the United States, boost trade, and create jobs.
The bill also addresses pressing visa backlogs and proposes measures to alleviate the wait times for individuals seeking legal immigration pathways. For example, by raising the limits on certain types of green cards and exempting minor children and spouses from caps, the Dignity Act seeks to mitigate the prolonged delays that have hindered families from reuniting and individuals from fully integrating into American society.
Advocates for the bill say it will improve the legal immigration process and make it more efficient and fairer.
The bill will now go before Congress for consideration.
Author
Founder & Principal Attorney Nita Nicole Upadhye is a recognized leader in the field of US business immigration law, (The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Who's Who Legal and AILA) and an experienced and trusted advisor to large multinational corporates through to SMEs. She provides strategic immigration advice and specialist application support to corporations and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, artists, actors and athletes from across the globe to meet their US-bound talent mobility needs.
Nita is an active public speaker, thought leader, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
