The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 – 1/20/2021 -Fact Sheet: President Biden sends the Immigration Bill to Congress as part of his commitment to modernize our immigration system. The Biden administration has dramatically increased the use of ICE’s alternatives to detention (ATD) programs, which track non-citizens through a smartphone app or ankle monitor while their immigration case proceeds. Under Biden, the program has been used for migrants paroled at the border. Biden also supports the secure borders scheme and restricting asylum seekers’ opportunities.
The Farmworker Modernization Act: A “bipartisan” effort to help undocumented farmworkers gain legal status while remaining in the U.S. labor force. A contradiction has surfaced with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) introduced in October 2019. H.R. 5038 received 260 votes (including 34 Republicans) in favor in the House of Representatives and received 165 votes (161 Republicans, three Democrats, and one Independent) against the bill that was many years in the making. It would update regulations for temporary workers, and promise fair wages and farmworker housing. It has been re-introduced and is supported by the United Farmworkers of America (UFW).
The Dignity Act of 2023. The bill, dubbed “The Dignity Act of 2023,” was first introduced by Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) in 2022. The two-term House Republican, once endorsed by President Donald Trump, joined forces with an avowed progressive, Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16) to author a new, nearly 500-page version of the measure. May 23, 2023 The legislation passed 219-213, with all present Democrats and two Republicans. It grants additional pathways to citizenship, including through the new dignity program, certified agricultural worker status, or service through the armed forces; grants legal status to undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. with the possibility of earning citizenship; establishes new pathways for asylum seekers and creates new regional processing centers; creates new legal pathways for economic migrants and unaccompanied minors.
The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act: The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act would provide undocumented essential workers with a fast, accessible, and secure path to citizenship, beginning with immediate adjustment of status to legal permanent resident. Approximately three out of four undocumented workers in the United States are working in jobs that were designated essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. It lists about 20 industry sectors of work that would provide about 5.2 million non-citizens working in those jobs during COVID-19 an opportunity to apply.
American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 (H.R. 16, Sponsor Rep Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), introduced on June 15, 2023. The American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 would create a “conditional permanent resident” status, valid for up to 10 years, that would protect Dreamers – including DACA recipients – from deportation, persons who have Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Other conditions include passing a background check and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs.
H.I.R.E. Act – H-2 Improvements to Relieve Employers – Rep. John S. Duarte (R-CA-13), a co-sponsor of the bill, says: “H-2A and H-2B workers are the foundation of America’s food supply. Their hard work puts groceries on our tables, builds our infrastructure, and protects our national security.” He supports cutting the red tape and simplifying our temporary work visa programs.” In other words, bracero-type, guest worker programs to tackle the nationwide labor shortage! Duarte is a pistachio and nurseryman in the Central Valley of California.
H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023– Represents an enforcement-only approach to migration. House Republicans introduced H.R. 2 on May 2, 2023, and passed by a vote of 219-213. Includes restarting border walls and many restrictions to migration. It is not expected to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate, and the White House has issued a veto threat.
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