Miami Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar introduced legislation Tuesday that would set up a new legal residency program for millions of undocumented immigrants and create a potential path to citizenship for those who complete a pair of programs over 15 years.
Salazar’s 483-page bill, titled “The Dignity Act,” would set up numerous changes to the immigration system, including measures to increase border security, an expedited process for asylum seekers and a new program to provide a path to legal residency for undocumented immigrants already in the country.
The first-term GOP representative has been floating the legislation since last year, but Tuesday marked its official introduction. She said the bill was intended to simultaneously halt new illegal immigration and to provide dignity to undocumented people who are already residing in the U.S.
