National Association of Manufacturers Endorses the DIGNITY Act

Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the nation’s leading voice for the American manufacturing industry, has endorsed the DIGNITY Act (H.R.4393), marking a major show of support from the business community for a serious, bipartisan immigration reform solution to strengthen the American workforce and sustain economic growth.

Manufacturing represents 10% of US GDP. If we cannot build more things in America and expand American manufacturing, we cannot grow as a nation. However, manufacturers across the country continue to face persistent labor shortages that threaten growth, productivity, and long-term competitiveness. NAM’s endorsement underscores how closely these challenges are tied to the need for immigration reform. The DIGNITY Act offers the practical solution to help stabilize the workforce, support economic expansion, and reinforce accountability and the rule of law.

“When the nation’s manufacturers speak, Washington should listen. They know firsthand that a strong economy depends on both the rule of law and a stable, reliable workforce,” said Rep. Salazar. “Right now, our broken immigration system is hurting our workers, holding back our businesses, and undermining our long-term competitiveness. The DIGNITY Act of 2025 brings these priorities together, revamping manufacturing in America, strengthening our industries, and giving businesses the certainty they need to invest, hire, and grow. I’m grateful for NAM’s leadership and proud to have their support as part of a growing national coalition committed to finally fixing our broken immigration system.”

“Our broken immigration system has lost credibility in the eyes of American citizens. President Trump has secured the border, but more work needs to be done to restore confidence. With the Dignity Act, Reps. Salazar and Escobar have offered actionable solutions to promote the core values of opportunity and hard work while appropriately focusing our immigration priorities on a strong and secure border, a workable system of enforcement that respects the rule of law, and merit-based reforms that prioritize America’s economic interests. Manufacturers take great pride in training and developing our U.S. workforce. But the reality is that we have over 400,000 jobs open at any given time, and to help our industry invest and expand our footprint here at home, we need more workers. The Dignity Act will help manufacturers in America innovate more, compete more, build more, produce more and export more American-made products,” said Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers.

“It’s long past time Congress understands that immigrants are good for America. The ongoing labor and workforce shortages continue to highlight just how much our economy, our industry, and our manufacturers rely on immigrants,” said Rep. Escobar. “I am grateful for the National Association of Manufacturers’ support of the Dignity Act; their endorsement reflects a clear understanding that our immigration system is broken and in desperate need of real solutions.”

This endorsement comes as manufacturers across the country continue working to meet rising demand, expand production, and invest in the future. For many in the industry, access to a stable and reliable workforce is essential to sustaining growth, strengthening supply chains, and keeping American manufacturing competitive.

Why Manufacturers Support the DIGNITY Act:

Manufacturers are facing a sustained workforce shortage that directly affects production, growth, and long-term competitiveness. A stable, legal workforce is essential to closing that gap and maintaining America’s industrial strength. Industry data underscores the urgency:

• Since January 2025, the economy has lost 63,000 manufacturing jobs, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
  
• Manufacturers consistently have more than 400,000 jobs open, reflecting a chronic labor shortage across the sector.
  
• Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, accounting for roughly 10% of GDP and driving nearly 53% of all private-sector research and development, underscoring how access to a stable workforce — supported by effective immigration reform — is critical to sustaining American innovation.
  
• Over the next decade, 3.8 million manufacturing jobs will be needed, with 1.9 million projected to go unfilled without additional workforce solutions.

Together, these realities help explain why manufacturers increasingly view the DIGNITY Act as a necessary step toward stabilizing the workforce, restoring order to the immigration system, and strengthening the long-term competitiveness of American industry.

A Growing National Coalition Backs the DIGNITY Act: 

Momentum behind the Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) continues to grow, with support now coming from over 35 Members of Congress and more than 65 national stakeholder organizations across the country. This expanding coalition reflects broad, cross-sector recognition that a serious, bipartisan immigration solution is urgently needed.

Supporters represent a wide range of voices from across the American economy and civil society, including employers, veterans, faith leaders, farmers, small businesses, construction and manufacturing industries, higher education organizations, community leaders, and immigrant-serving groups. Together, they underscore the diverse national support behind efforts to restore order to the immigration system, strengthen the workforce, and support long-term economic growth.

The growing list of endorsing organizations includes:

A-1 Global Holdings, American Bakers Association, American Business Immigration Council (ABIC), American Families United, American Latino Coalition, American Legion, Americans for Prosperity, American Seniors Housing Association, Anti-Defamation League, Asian American Christian Collaborative, Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, Bethel Consulting Group LLC, Brick Industry Association, Center for American Progress, Christian Family Coalition of Florida, Cleaning Coalition of America, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Critical Labor Coalition, Essential Workers Immigration Coalition (EWIC), Evangelical Immigration Table, FWD.us, Greater Houston Partnership, IEEE-USA (Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers), Improve the Dream, Jewish Federation of North America, Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, LeadingAge, LIBRE Initiative, Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), MIRA USA, National Association of Evangelicals, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Landscape Professionals, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), National Hispanic Health Foundation, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, National Immigration Forum, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, National Retail Federation, National Roofing Contractors Association, Nisei Farmers League, Niskanen Center, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA), Power Design, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Puerto Rico Builders Association (PRBA), Repatriate our Patriots, Secure Growth Initiative, Small Business Majority, State Business Executives, Steel Tank Institute-Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI-SPFA), Texas Business Leadership Council, Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRIA), Third Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. for Success Coalition, United States Hispanic Business Council, Walroth-Sadurní Law, WERC, World Relief.

Resources:

One-pager on the Dignity Act - click here.

Detailed summary of the Dignity Act - click here. 

Section-by-section breakdown of the Dignity Act - click here. 

For the media kit - click here.

Full text of the bill - click here.

Press Conference on the Dignity Act- click here.