Rep. María Elvira Salazar Joins Bipartisan Lawmakers and Real Voices from Across America to Demand Action on the Dignity Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This morning, U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) joined bipartisan lawmakers, veterans, families, farmers, faith leaders, employers, and the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol urging passage of the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393).

Amid a growing national debate over immigration, voices from agriculture, veterans, mixed-status families, construction, faith communities, and small businesses came to Washington to share firsthand stories about the human and economic toll of the current system and to counter misinformation surrounding the legislation. These are the voices of real Americans who are affected by our immigration crisis.

Rep. Salazar echoed the testimonies heard throughout the morning, rejecting recent false claims about the bill and urging lawmakers to focus on facts and solutions.

“This is the American way of doing business: being noble, being fair, and doing what is right,” said Rep. Salazar. “It is our duty to protect families, honor veterans, support long-term workers, and give businesses the certainty they need to grow. Today we heard that fear is reaching faith communities, manufacturers, farms, and homes across America. I thank those voices for bringing the truth to this debate and rallying behind the Dignity Act. I welcome the debate, and I welcome the work ahead to get this done.”

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), and Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) highlighted growing bipartisan support for reform and shared what they are hearing in their home states, from employers facing labor shortages to families seeking certainty and communities demanding a system that works.

Among the most powerful testimonies was that of Angela Della Valle, who spoke about the toll the broken system has taken on her family.

“I am a United States citizen and a school teacher, yet my husband of more than 20 years is sitting in a detention center in Louisiana while I beg for his release,” said Della Valle. “He worked hard, raised our sons, paid taxes, never took government benefits, and has no criminal record. Every time we ask for help, we hear the same answer: wait for reform, be patient. But for families like ours, there is no legal pathway. We cannot wait any longer. That is why we need the Dignity Act now.”

Danitza James, President of Repatriate Our Patriots and a U.S. Army combat veteran, spoke on behalf of foreign-born veterans and active-duty service members, emphasizing that honoring those who serve is an investment in military readiness, force retention, and national security. She underscored a fundamental promise of the nation: if you are willing to fight for America, America should fight for you.

Business leader Massey Villarreal of Precision Task Groupwarned lawmakers of the political and economic consequences of continued inaction, noting that many law-abiding Hispanic voters who supported Republicans also want economic certainty and real solutions. He emphasized that projects do not build themselves, businesses cannot grow without workers, and legislation like the Dignity Act is not a handout, but a practical reform the country needs now.

Beverly Idsinga of New Mexico Dairy Producers detailed the workforce shortages facing agriculture and warned that maintaining America’s safe, affordable food supply depends on a stable workforce. She noted that food security is national security and stressed the urgent need for a legal status program for long-term workers who help sustain the nation’s farms and food production.

Rebecca Shi, CEO of the American Business Immigration Coalition Action, emphasized that practical reform benefits workers, families, and the broader economy. 

“Work permits for long-term immigrants leveled the playing field for American workers by bringing all workers under the same set of rules, preventing bad-faith employers from undercutting American workers with an unregulated workforce," said Shi. "Work permits for long-term immigrants lower costs…We want solutions. And Hispanic voters are extremely clear. To win, both parties must embrace work permits and legal status for long-term, law-abiding immigrant contributors.”

Joseph Castleberry, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference closed by highlighting the fear and uncertainty many immigrant families face, including declining church participation driven by concerns over raids and family separation.

You can watch the full press conference here

A NATIONAL MOVEMENT GAINING MOMENTUM

Support for the DIGNITY Act continues to accelerate nationwide, with more than 40 Members of Congress and over 90 national organizations backing the effort, reflecting a broad, cross-sector consensus that meaningful immigration reform is both urgent and achievable.

Building on that momentum, Rep. María Elvira Salazar and bipartisan Members of Congress recently launched the Dignity Coalition, a historic alliance uniting employers, faith leaders, educators, and advocates to advance the only serious, bipartisan solution to fix America’s broken immigration system and help turn growing national support into legislative action.

The DIGNITY Act is the only serious legislation currently in Congress to modernize the U.S. immigration system, stabilizing the workforce, addressing labor shortages, and offering practical solutions for people who have long contributed to American communities and our economy.

The growing list of endorsing organizations includes:

A-1 Global Holdings, African American Farmers of California, AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management, American Bakers Association, American Business Immigration Council (ABIC), American Families United, American Global Logistics, American Latino Coalition, American Legion, Americans for Prosperity, American Seniors Housing Association, Anti-Defamation League, Arlington Latino Chamber of Commerce, Asian American Christian Collaborative, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, Bethel Consulting Group LLC, Brick Industry Association, Business Roundtable, Center for American Progress, Christian Family Coalition of Florida, Cleaning Coalition of America, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Critical Labor Coalition, Democrats for Life of America, EnglishUSA, Essential Workers Immigration Coalition (EWIC), Evangelical Immigration Table, Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), FWD.us, Global Detroit, Greater Houston Partnership, GROW our STEM Workforce Coalition, Hispanic Construction Council, IEEE-USA (Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers), IIUSA, ISSA (Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions), Improve the Dream, Jewish Federation of North America, Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, Laredo Chamber of Commerce, LeadingAge, LIBRE Initiative, Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Migrants Foundation Inc, MIRA USA, Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 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 Construction Alliance, National Hispanic Health Foundation, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, National Immigration Forum, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, National Parents Union, National Retail Federation, National Roofing Contractors Association, Nisei Farmers League, Niskanen Center, Pastors Association of south New Jersey, Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA), Power Design, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), Puerto Rico Builders Association (PRBA), Reshoring Initiative, Repatriate our Patriots, Secure Growth Initiative, SIMBA Chain, Small Business Majority, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, SPIE - the International Society for Optics and Photonics, State Business Executives, Steel Tank Institute-Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI-SPFA), TESOL International Association, Texas Business Leadership Council, Texas Restaurant Association, Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRIA), Third Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. for Success Coalition, United States Hispanic Business Council, United States Immigrant Center (USIC), Vanteo, Walroth-Sadurní Law, WERC, Why Not Act, Woodpack Global, 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.

Fact sheet on the Dignity Act, click here..

Full text of the bill, click here.