26-03-2025
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.
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