What is the immigration plan that would legalize over 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States?

Two congressmen, María Elvira Salazar (Republican, Florida) and Verónica Escobar (Democrat, Texas), have submitted an ambitious bipartisan immigration reform plan to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The initiative, says El Nuevo Herald, would “provide a legal path to citizenship for the 12 million illegal immigrants” estimated to live on U.S. soil, “while allocating billions of dollars to increase border security, an effort the immigrants themselves would do. pay.”

If this opportunity materializes, it will be for those who meet several requirements, including having no criminal record and agreeing to undergo a seven-year “redemption period” before becoming eligible for citizenship by naturalization, Univisión explains.

Salazar defends his proposal: “The bill would be a way for immigrants who have been illegally living in the United States for more than five years to come out of the shadows.”

Immigration plan to legalize over 12 million people in the United States

According to the news network, the congressman summarizes six key elements of the plan:

This “would be a great relief to millions of people who, regardless of their illegal immigration status, are law-abiding citizens, pay their taxes, and are raising children born in the United States.”

Steps to Citizenship

The initiative revolves around situations like this: Anyone who has illegal immigration status in the United States, has lived in that country for five years and has no criminal record can participate in a program that offers them work and travel permits for seven years, the EFE news agency explains. out.

At that point, they must “pay a $5,000 ‘restitution’ amount to the government.”

These funds will be used to “secure the border” and to compensate US citizens who feel they have been replaced in their jobs by undocumented migrants.

María Elvira Salazar according to EFE

During “dignity status,” people will not be able to access social services or programs, Salazar explains, according to the Spanish agency.

For example, they would have to pay for their own health insurance, Salazar told Univision. And after completing the seven years, they must wait another five years to apply for US citizenship.

After a seven-year wait, those who have completed the path of “redemption or dignity,” as established by the initiative, would be eligible to begin the process of seeking citizenship by naturalization through the N-400 form.

Maria Elvira Salazar in Univision

The Republican congressman notes that “immigrants under the Dignity program would receive 1.5% of their salary toward a special fund that would be used to secure the border.”

“That percentage would be deducted instead of the 7% normally used for Social Security and Medicare,” El Nuevo Herald says.

Eligible candidates, he insists, “should be added to the queue” of cases awaiting the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Planning background

Univisión points out that the plan, called Dignity Law 2023, was presented by Salazar in March 2021 and released a version eleven months later. Neither of them got an ultrasound on the benches.

The original plan “included the legalization of dreamers and essential workers who were on the frontline of fighting the covid-19 pandemic, both in care centers and in the production and delivery line to the population.”

The 2022 bill also required “at least 10 years of residency on the path of redemption before being eligible for citizenship.”

What is needed for the new initiative

To be approved in the House of Representatives, controlled by the Republicans, the project needs 218 votes, while in the Senate, under Democratic control, 60 votes are needed and the Republicans only 49, Univisión emphasizes.