Washington. Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar and Democrat Veronica Escobar introduced an immigration reform bill this Tuesday that includes ways to regularize the more than 11 million undocumented people in the US.
The legislative proposal introduced before the Republican-controlled House of Representatives also includes more money for border security, expanding the way people can request asylum, as well as strengthening border security.
Salazar, who represents Florida’s 27th District, said the legislative package represents a “historic” moment in which “two female legislators decide to take on one of the most polarizing issues for the country.”
The idea, the Republican said, is “to give respect to undocumented people.”
Under the proposal, people who are in the US in irregular immigration status, who have lived in the country for five years and have no criminal record could enter a program that would provide them with work and travel permits for seven years. does.
During that period, he must pay the government the sum of $7,000 in “restitution”. The Congresswoman explained that these funds would be used to “secure the border” and to compensate US citizens who believe they have been replaced in their jobs by undocumented immigrants.
During the “dignity status” period, people will not be able to access social services or programs, Salazar explained, and after completing seven years, they must wait another five to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Path to citizenship for dreamers
The bill also seeks to offer a path to citizenship for those who are in the Deferred Action Program for Childhood Arrivals (Dreamers) and for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries.
With regard to the situation at the southern border, the bill proposes the creation of “humanitarian complexes” to detain asylum seekers in the US and wait for an asylum officer to decide their case within a period of 60 days. Have to do
In return, it considers allocating more money to border security, including some $10 billion to expand and improve ports of entry.
It comes two weeks after the Bill Biden administration removed a health regulation called Title 42, which allowed hot removals at the border, and imposed more restrictions on access to asylum for migrants arriving in Mexico.
