CAN IMMIGRATION BE FIXED? THE 2025 DIGNITY ACT SAYS YES By Josimar Salum

CAN IMMIGRATION BE FIXED? THE 2025 DIGNITY ACT SAYS YES

This is the most comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform bill in decades.

By Josimar Salum – July 15, 2025

In a political era marked by division and deadlock, a group of ten Republicans and ten Democrats has introduced a rare and ambitious bipartisan bill aimed at solving one of the nation’s most contentious issues: immigration. The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393), led by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), presented this Tuesday is being hailed as the most serious and comprehensive immigration reform effort in decades.

But what exactly is in this 500+ page proposal? Here’s a clear breakdown of the Dignity Act’s key ideas and what it means for immigrants, American workers, and the nation’s future.

1. Border Security and Law Enforcement: “Order First”

The bill takes a firm stance on ending illegal immigration. It aims to secure the southern border by:

• Mandating E-Verify nationwide to prevent hiring undocumented workers.

• Hiring thousands of new border agents and officers, enhancing physical barriers and using cutting-edge technology like surveillance systems and drones.

• Creating new penalties for smugglers, traffickers, and those who damage border security tools.

• Expanding port-of-entry infrastructure to boost legal commerce and trade while stopping illegal crossings.

These provisions signal a clear message: the U.S. will no longer tolerate a chaotic or porous border.

2. Fixing the Asylum Process: “Security and Humanity”

To address the backlog and abuse of the asylum system, the Dignity Act proposes:

• Establishing Humanitarian Campuses at the border where asylum seekers will stay while their cases are decided within 60 days—with healthcare, legal aid, and humane conditions provided.

• Creating screening centers in Latin America to reduce dangerous border journeys.

• Implementing strict anti-fraud policies, including a two-strike rule for repeat unauthorized border crossings.

The intent is to both protect legitimate asylum seekers and stop fraudulent claims—restoring credibility and efficiency to the process.

3. A Pathway for the Undocumented: “Earned Legality, Not Amnesty”

The most controversial, yet pivotal, part of the Dignity Act offers undocumented immigrants—especially those who have been in the U.S. since before December 31, 2020—a chance to earn legal status through work, tax payments, and restitution:

• The “Dignity Program” gives participants 7 years to pay $7,000 in restitution, pass background checks, and stay in good standing.

• In return, they get protection from deportation and full work and travel rights—but no access to welfare or citizenship.

• Afterward, they can apply for “Dignity Status”, a renewable legal residency—again, without a path to permanent residency or citizenship.

Dreamers and DACA recipients have a different route: 10 years of conditional residency with the chance to become permanent residents if they meet education, military, or work requirements.

This structure emphasizes accountability and contribution, not blanket amnesty or shortcuts to citizenship.

4. Empowering American Workers: “Restitution Becomes Opportunity”

The Dignity Act ensures American workers benefit directly from immigration reform:

• It establishes the American Worker Fund, financed entirely by immigrants in the Dignity Program.

• Each immigrant’s restitution will fund training or re-skilling for at least one unemployed American.

• The projected investment: $70 billion into workforce development, apprenticeships, and job readiness.

This unique mechanism ties immigrant accountability to economic opportunity for citizens.

5. Legal Immigration Modernization: “Smart Growth for a Changing Economy”

To boost competitiveness and relieve long-standing visa backlogs, the bill includes:

• Premium processing for immigrants waiting over 10 years—by paying a $20,000 fee.

• Raising country caps for family and work-based visas from 7% to 15%.

• Opening more pathways for STEM PhDs and medical graduates to stay and work in the U.S.

• Creating 90-day family visitor visas, and allowing children to avoid “aging out” of visa eligibility due to delays.

It also demands coordination across federal agencies to streamline visa approvals and eliminate red tape.

Funding Without Taxpayer Dollars

One of the most appealing features of the Dignity Act: it doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime. Instead, it is funded by:

• A 1% paycheck levy on work-authorized immigrants in the Dignity Program.

• The $7,000 restitution payments over seven years.

• A portion of these funds also go to paying down the national debt—with at least $50 billion projected.

A Nation of Laws and Second Chances

Supporters say the Dignity Act strikes a much-needed balance between law enforcement, compassion, and economic realism. It restores order to the border, offers a fair process for those already living in the shadows, protects American jobs, and modernizes the legal immigration system.

Representative Salazar put it this way:

“No handouts. No shortcuts. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future.”

Representative Escobar added:

“This legislation incorporates both humanity and security… It is a realistic, common-sense compromise."

Conclusion: Will Congress Act?

The Dignity Act faces an uphill battle in a polarized Congress. But its bipartisan foundation, innovative funding model, and comprehensive scope make it the most viable immigration reform proposal in decades. If passed, it could redefine America’s approach to immigration—not as a zero-sum battle, but as a partnership between accountability, dignity, and national interest.

Now, the question is: Will Washington finally fix what’s been broken for far too long? Or will politics again bury progress?

*Youseph and Daniel – Accounting – Business Formation – Tax Returns (Individuals & Businesses) – ITIN – Consulting – IRS Representation*

*www.yousephdaniel.com*

WHAT’S INSIDE THE “BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL Josimar Salum

 

WHAT’S INSIDE THE “BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL

Josimar Salum 

July 3, 2025

The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” of President Donald J Trump that Congress approved today proposes sweeping tax and budget changes affecting millions of Americans. Here is a concise summary of its main provisions:

Key Highlights

• Deductions for overtime pay and tip income, excluding these earnings from taxable income

• Child Tax Credit increased to $2,200 per child

• Permanently expanded standard deduction

• Senior tax break raised to $6,000 through 2028

• SNAP (food stamps) work requirement extended to age 64 for able-bodied adults

• SALT (State and Local Taxes) deduction boosted to $40,000 for couples earning up to $500,000

• $737 billion in corporate and business tax deductions, plus expanded estate tax relief

• Expanded credits for childcare and paid family leave

• Auto loan interest deduction of up to $10,000 annually for U.S.-made vehicles

• Expanded Social Security income break for seniors

• $5 trillion debt ceiling increase through reconciliation

• Rollbacks of green energy incentives, including cuts to credits for wind, solar, electric vehicles, and infrastructure

• $175 billion in border security funding, $150 billion for defense equipment

• $25 billion for rural hospitals and regional SNAP adjustments

• Approximately $186 billion in SNAP reductions

Medicaid Cuts: $930 Billion, a big concern 

A $930 billion reduction in Medicaid funding over ten years would likely have major impacts:

• Enrollment: states could impose stricter eligibility rules, reducing the number of people covered

• Benefits: states might cut services, such as prescription coverage, mental health care, or preventive care

• Hospital strain: more uncompensated care, especially in rural areas, could lead to closures or higher private insurance costs

• Uninsured rates: many who lose Medicaid eligibility may not afford other coverage

• State budgets: states could be forced to find new funding or cut other programs to preserve minimum health coverage

In short, these cuts would almost certainly shrink the program’s reach, pressuring state budgets, hospitals, and low-income families.

Summary of Impacts

• Spending cuts: Medicaid, SNAP, student loans, green energy

• Spending increases: defense and border security

• Deficit: projected to rise by $3–4 trillion over the next decad

Key Permanent Tax Relief Provisions, a big relief.

• Individual tax rates and brackets extended indefinitely

• Permanently doubled standard deduction

• Child Tax Credit set at $2,200 per child

• SALT (State and Local Taxes) deduction cap raised to $40,000 for joint filers earning under $500,000

• No-tax rules on tips and overtime pay

• Senior $6,000 annual deduction preserved, with phase-outs

• Permanent small business deductions for equipment and R&D investments

Temporary Features (Through 2028)

• Auto loan interest deduction up to $10,000 per year

• Tips and overtime deduction caps limited to $25,000 annually

Why It Matters

This bill delivers permanent tax relief and aims to shift the tax burden away from lower- and middle-income earners while scaling back incentives for green energy.

The bill increases defense and border spending by hundreds of billions of dollars (for example, $175 billion for border security, $150 billion for defense equipment, plus ongoing military operations), which represents new spending. Estimates suggest the net deficit effect of the entire package would be roughly $3–4 trillion over ten years, depending on economic growth rates.

Supporters argue the bill will:

• put more money in people’s pockets, boosting spending and investment

• encourage business hiring and productivity

• increase cash flow to lower- and middle-income earners, supporting economic growth

This reflects dynamic scoring, the idea that growth can partly offset revenue losses.

Critics argue that while past tax cuts under Reagan, Bush, and Trump did stimulate growth, they failed to close budget deficits, and the Congressional Budget Office projects that the current bill’s tax reductions will similarly expand the deficit. Combined with increased defense and border spending and cuts to social programs, these measures could further deepen the nation’s fiscal imbalance over the next decade.

In summary, while lower taxes generally support economic growth, maintaining a balanced budget will still depend on spending discipline and achieving sufficient growth to replace lost revenue — a challenge not always met in previous tax cut cycles. Since this bill is not yet fully implemented, current forecasts rely on economic models rather than proven results. 

However, supporters are confident that its combination of tax relief, pro-growth incentives, and regulatory rollbacks will fulfill President Trump’s campaign promises of boosting jobs, empowering American workers, and strengthening the nation’s economic future.