Latest news with #DignityAct
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami congresswoman is trying to bring, common-sense real immigration reform to Congress
Spot on solution Re: Maria Elvira Salazar's April 27 op-ed, 'I'm offering a solution to our immigration problem.' Thank you, Congresswoman Salazar, for shedding factual light on yours and other congressional leaders' efforts to bring real immigration reform to the U.S. House floor in the form of proposed legislation. As such, we appreciate you informing us of your proposed Dignity Act. People need to know that facts and data matter. We should not allow politics to interfere with common sense legislation. We need common sense immigration reform, from leaders with common sense. Keep doing what you are doing and do not fall victim to the white noise. Jimmy Tate, North Miami Far from home A family friend who had recently fixed our house floors told me he's moving to Lehigh Acres, a town next to Fort Myers. After moving from Peru and working for 30 years, he realized his dream of buying a home was impossible — if he stayed in Miami. The Miami Herald has been covering stories like his in 'The Shrinking Middle' series, showcasing how extreme housing prices have pushed people out of Miami. We must advocate for zoning reform; more multi-house units, fewer single-family homes. Reform, however, isn't about changing our way of life, it's about keeping our culture alive. Affordable, multi-unit housing is about protecting people like my friend — and abuelo and abuela — from being priced out of the city. Today, more of our families are being fractured by Miami's outrageous housing costs, like the aunt who moved to Orlando, the cousin who found work in Tampa, or the brother with the view in Austin. Miami is nothing without those who built it. If we want to defend our city's culture and keep those who make our city special, we must demand zoning reform. Angel Aguilar, Homestead Pope's message Pope Francis emphasized that global leaders must not turn their backs on the suffering of migrants and vulnerable populations, calling for greater international solidarity and action. His remarks are a moral reminder that addressing crises at their source, through efforts like global health initiatives, is a shared responsibility. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart plays a critical role in ensuring continued U.S. investment in global health. Ongoing support will uphold America's leadership in promoting humanitarian values and help create healthier, more stable communities abroad. This addresses the interconnected challenges of public health, poverty and migration. Díaz-Balart's commitment to global health aligns with humanitarian principles and strategic interests. Continuing to champion these programs is not only the right thing to do — it is also smart policy for a more secure and compassionate world. Ellen Haghighi, South Miami Changed stripes? Reading about Casey DeSantis's Hope Foundation made me laugh out loud. First, the resignations of the Foundation's top two administrators, at a time when they are needed most to help explain what happened. However, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott's statement was most humorous. In the April 22 Herald online article, 'DeSantis officials with Hope Florida oversight won't get Senate confirmation hearings,' Scott said he wanted to know more about how the state spent money. Scott was CEO of Columbia/HCA, a healthcare company. He oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in the nation's history. Though he was never charged with a crime, before being forced to resign, he took a $10 million severance pay, a five-year consulting contract and $300 million in stock and options. The company eventually went bankrupt. Is this really the same man who wants to know more about the spiraling Medicare fraud possibly committed by Florida's governor and possibly his wife? Is this really the same Scott or a new and improved Scott? Perhaps we will never know. Janet Weller, Coral Springs Divert-a-bear Florida's black bears don't need more bullets — they need better trash management. More than a dozen scientific studies have shown that hunting is not an effective way to reduce human-to-bear conflicts. The real solution is common sense: secure garbage containers, remove food attractants and protect agricultural operations with electric fencing. Most bear conflicts happen when people leave food and trash unsecured. Bears are smart and opportunistic. If they find an easy meal in an overflowing garbage can, a backyard bird feeder, or an unprotected chicken coop, they'll keep coming back. If there's no reward, they move on. Communities that invest in bear-resistant trash cans and dumpsters see real results — without killing bears. Killing bears doesn't stop conflicts because hunting doesn't target the specific problem. Instead, it removes random bears from the population, leaving the attractants in place for the next bear to find. That's not management. Instead of pushing for a hunt, Florida should invest in stronger garbage laws and proper enforcement and support for electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops. These are proven ways to reduce conflicts. Let's stop pretending that hunting is a solution when science says otherwise. Leslie Sardinia, North Miami Beach Tougher teeth Like chlorine, fluoride is a chemical, not medicine. Baby teeth routinely begin erupting at 6-7 months. Permanent tooth buds are developing underneath and begin erupting between ages 6-13. If traces of fluoride can be incorporated during dental development by drinking fluoridated water, the outer shell, or enamel becomes a denser, harder substance and more resistance to decay. Fluoridated toothpastes and topical fluoride treatments are encouraged, but cannot replace incorporating fluoride during tooth development. Steven P. Willis, Coral Springs Fallen prestige Harvard University, America`s oldest and richest University, has a storied history with countless alumni, including American presidents, Supreme Court justices and many accomplished graduates in business, science and the media. The respect and prestige Harvard received has diminished over the years as the university embraced discriminatory policies which adversely impacted Asian applicants, as evidenced in the Supreme Court case Fair Admission v. Harvard. The Court ultimately struck down Harvard's admission policies, calling them discriminatory. In recent decades, Harvard tilted further to the left with more left-leaning faculty members. More recently, were the allegations that the school's administration tolerated anti-Jewish hate and that some students were threatened with violence and intimidation. Congressional hearings highlighted Harvard's tolerance and indifference of antisemitism on campus. In response to its record on these issues, the Trump administration cut taxpayer funding. Efforts are also underway to further tax the university. Harvard's taxpayer funding could be used for public colleges and vocational schools. Harvard can financially stand on its own. Perhaps these actions will lead to much needed internal reforms. Tim Seale, Miami Time to pivot With all due respect to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, now is not the time to cower in a corner and tell us that she is anxious and afraid of retaliation. Nor is it the time to use her 'charm' to get a few scraps of concessions. This is the time to put on her 'big girl panties' and fight — fight for her home state; fight for her constituents; fight for the United States; fight for democracy! If she cannot fight, we understand. She should just step aside and let those who are willing and able do the fighting. Jeannette Garcia, Miami Senior discount Recent news reports state that President Trump's aides are considering $5,000 bonuses to families to reverse declining birth rates and push conservative values. While on its face this appears discriminatory on account of age, maybe to avoid that claim a discount could be given to senior citizens for just going through the motions? Harry N. Turk, Miami
Miami Herald
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Rep. Salazar: I don't belong in letter claiming inaction on immigration in Miami-Dade
Last week, Miami healthcare executive Mike Fernandez wrote an opinion article in the Miami Herald titled, 'Open letter to the Miami-Dade Delegation' addressed to me, among others. It was long on passion but short on facts. Let's set the record straight. Fernandez says we need a new immigration strategy grounded in courage. I agree. That's why I wrote the Dignity Act, the first immigration solution proposed in over a decade. My Dignity Act defends the vulnerable with compassion, offering hardworking immigrants the chance to come out of the shadows, earn legal status, and live with dignity. It's the only serious immigration reform bill on the table, and it also protects Venezuelans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), something I've been fighting for long before Donald Trump returned to the White House. At its height, nearly one in 10 members of Congress supported my bill, Republicans and Democrats, including the endorsement of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and many others. One of my favorite endorsements? Fernandez. I didn't wait for someone to act; I led. That's what the people of South Florida elected me to do. I wrote it and hand-delivered it to the Democrats' doorstep. I didn't stop there. I'm the lead Republican sponsor of the American Dream and Promise Act, the American Families United Act and the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, laws designed to protect families and those fleeing brutality. These actions are the opposite of 'silence.' Anyone who truly cares about reform recognizes that. This isn't about politics; it's a pattern. Democrats have promised immigration reform for decades, even during periods of complete control in Washington D.C., only to forget the workers who've spent a lifetime in limbo across sectors like agriculture and construction when change was within reach. Biden pledged immigration action in his first 100 days. He didn't deliver. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had full control. She didn't lift a finger. No vote. No hearing. Not even a conversation on Dignity. Instead, we got an open border, the greatest disservice to those patiently waiting, who were pushed deeper underground. Biden signaled that America was open, then trapped millions in legal limbo with temporary programs and flawed processing. I've fought to help Cuban families separated by I-220A. I compiled evidence, looked then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in the eyes, twice, and asked for help through letters, calls, texts and emails. Still, nothing changed. One executive order would've fixed this, yet, once again, when the Democrats had the chance to do the right thing, they didn't. When the Trump Administration inherited this crisis, I went to work. I used my unique understanding of these communities to spotlight the nuance. I went straight to Trump to voice my support for the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program and TPS beneficiaries, sent official letters, held meetings, and pushed the Department of Homeland Security to refrain from action until each case was heard. And when a young nursing student, Laura, was detained, I intervened and secured her release. Fernandez and I share something deeply personal: both our families fled Fidel Castro's tyranny. That doesn't just shape your politics; it brands your soul and creates a duty. It's why I've spent my entire time in Congress fighting for those seeking the same freedom our families were blessed to find. When someone who understands that legacy questions my commitment to immigrants, I take it personally. I don't belong in any letter calling out inaction. I've been on the battlefield in Congress, willing to take the political risk and lead the charge. I invite Fernandez to join me. Support my Dignity Act, amplify my voice. We have more in common than what divides us. We both believe in uplifting the oppressed. We both believe this country should be a beacon for those escaping cruelty. And we both know the cost of silence. I'm not in this to score points. I'm here because I believe God has called me to serve. As long as I have breath and a platform, I will use my voice to speak for the voiceless and fight for our community. Let's move forward together. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Miami Republican, represents Florida's 27th Congressional District.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers call for immigration reform
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for immigration reforms aimed at easing the nation's workforce shortage while maintaining border security. With nearly 1.7 million job openings across the country, lawmakers from both parties argue that immigrant workers could help fill critical labor gaps without weakening border protections. 'We will not be able to continue being the number one economy in the world if we do not have hands,' said Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.). Salazar is sponsoring the Dignity Act, which would provide amnesty to undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, while also requiring them to pay a $5,000 fine. 'Many of them have been paying taxes year after year, knowing that they are not going to get that money back,' Salazar said. The bill has support from Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) who says it balances border security with economic needs. 'We have to fix the broken asylum system, and we have to treat people like human beings and secure the workforce,' Suozzi said. The push for reform comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, vowing to deport those without legal status. 'No one wanted open borders. No one wanted for years to open borders,' Salazar said, emphasizing that her plan has backing from the business community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump should target the real villains behind our immigration chaos: drug cartels
President Trump's Executive Order to suspend refugee resettlement may unintentionally be an advantage to the real villains behind immigration chaos. As Wisconsin's Advocacy Coordinator for World Relief – a global Christian humanitarian organization – I regularly discuss immigration reform with Wisconsin residents across the political spectrum. Often, people seek to identify a villain for our dysfunctional immigration system. Among left-leaning groups, the villain is often Border Patrol or ICE. Among right-leaning groups, the villain is frequently immigrants themselves. Neither perspective is accurate. The true villains are the drug cartels. When a person is fleeing from their home because of violence or threat of violence, there are currently very few options available to apply for legal immigration to the United States to live in safety. The number of visas allowed into the United States, for example, hasn't been updated since the Immigration Act of 1990. Without legal options like refugee resettlement available, people without another choice turn to the cartels. Former CIA Director and retired Army General David Petraeus recently told The Dispatch regarding cartels, 'You can't just topple the kingpins and expect the rest of it to die'. These cartels have evolved into sophisticated organizations that profit from desperate people. They facilitate dangerous journeys across Central America for those hoping to enter the United States. If Trump were to focus on dismantling drug cartels, immigration reform could significantly reduce the dysfunction of our immigration processes. For example, increasing the number of visas offered to people from various countries and allowing them to apply at U.S. embassies overseas would reduce the need for individuals to rely on cartels or other nefarious entities for transportation into the U.S. Opinion: I just returned from the U.S.-Mexico border. What I saw should trouble us all. In addition to smuggling people, drug cartels profit from smuggling their namesake: drugs. It might seem counterintuitive, but cartels do not typically use immigrants as drug mules. According to the Cato Institute – a more conservative think tank, 'fentanyl is overwhelmingly smuggled by U.S. citizens.' In 2022, 89% of convicted fentanyl traffickers were U.S. citizens. Asylum seekers are not reliable drug mules for cartels. They seek apprehension by Border Patrol to initiate their asylum claims. Conversely, U.S. citizens, who drive hundreds of vehicles across the border daily, provide a more reliable means for cartels to smuggle drugs, often hidden in box trucks. Fortunately, some legislators are pursuing bipartisan immigration reform that addresses the cartels as the primary culprits in this crisis. The Dignity Act, for instance, combines increased funding for security at ports of entry with compassion for those seeking legal entry into the United States. Immigrants are not America's enemies. The drug cartels are. With control of both chambers of Congress and the presidency, Trump and the Republican Party have a unique opportunity to pass immigration reform that targets these cartels. Opinion: Garden is a place to escape divisive politics and high prices in grocery stores Aside from this congressional legislative action, the new administration should resume refugee resettlement to maintain an established legal avenue for immigration. According to the Heritage Foundation, refugees are already subjected to the most thorough vetting of any category of visitor or immigrant to the United States. Maintaining a refugee resettlement program disincentives people from using cartels to travel to the United States – and circumventing those established vetting procedures. By addressing one of the root causes — the cartels — we can achieve meaningful immigration reform that promotes security and compassion. While some challenges in our immigration system are exceedingly complicated. Other dynamics, like the exploitative nature of cartels, are straightforward. Luke Nelessen is the Advocacy Coordinator for World Relief Wisconsin, where he educates churches and elected officials around the state of Wisconsin on immigration topics. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump misses the real villain behind our immigration crisis | Opinion
