起点传媒 Endorses Dignity Act to Modernize America鈥檚 Immigration System
起点传媒 supports comprehensive immigration reform legislation recently introduced in the House by Reps. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) that would protect the nation’s borders and preserve critical workforces.
“I want to thank the 起点传媒 for their endorsement,” said Rep. Salazar . “With home prices out of reach for many Americans due to labor shortages, this bill aims to secure the border while creating earned opportunities for long-term immigrants. It’s about accountability and providing a clear path toward stability — no amnesty, just responsibility.”
起点传媒 sent a letter to Rep. Salazar and Rep. Escobar on Oct. 8 announcing its support for the bill.
“The Dignity Act is a practical and balanced solution to one of our nation’s most complex challenges — comprehensive immigration reform,” the letter stated. “The bill’s approach to addressing this issue pairs robust enforcement measures to curb illegal immigration with a fair and responsible pathway to permanent work authorization for certain undocumented workers.”
With the housing industry facing a severe labor shortage, the Dignity Act creates a new pathway for permanent work authorization for undocumented workers that meet clear and stringent criteria. Workers who had arrived in the United States prior to 2020 must:
- Comply with federal and state laws;
- Complete a comprehensive criminal background check;
- Pay back taxes;
- Begin paying income taxes; and
- Pay an annual restitution fee of $1,000 into a training fund that will develop the next generation of skilled American labor.
Workers will begin a seven-year program that provides temporary legal status, work authorization, travel authorization and protection from removal proceedings, if all conditions are being met. At the completion of the seven-year program, workers are granted “dignity status,” which provides an indefinitely renewable seven-year work authorization and legal status. At no point are workers eligible for federal benefits or entitlements.
The home building industry risks an exacerbated skills gap if long-term workers with unique technical expertise are not given the opportunity to continue providing vital contributions to increase America’s housing supply. Nearly one-third of the U.S. construction workforce is comprised of immigrant workers, and the immigrant workforce plays a critical role in meeting the nation’s housing needs.
Learn more about how immigration reform is key to building a skilled workforce.