GOP warns Dignity Act is mass amnesty bill for MILLIONS of illegal immigrants

A bipartisan bill in the House has come under fire, with opponents claiming that it would give mass amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants in the country, while supporters say it only provides temporary legal status for those who qualify.

Among those speaking out against Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar’s bill, the Dignity Act, which was introduced in 2025, is Rep Brandon Gill. He wrote, "The Dignity Act is mass amnesty and would constitute a terrible betrayal of our voters."

Gill and Salazar got into a back-and-forth on X, with Salazar replying to Gill, "READ. THE. BILL. BEFORE. YOU. OPEN. YOUR. MOUTH. Calling the DIGNITY Act 'amnesty’ isn’t just wrong. It’s a deliberate distortion and it exposes just how little you know about the bill." She said the bill provides "zero tolerance for criminals, permanent border security, and hard-earned requirements to step forward and face the law, so American workers are protected, not undercut."

Gill replied, "Maria, your ‘DIGNIDAD Act’ would give legal status to over 10 million illegal aliens. It’s rank amnesty and everybody knows it. I want dignity for Americans - the people whose interests we represent - not illegal aliens. That means doing what we said we’d do: mass deportations."

In a thread replying to Gill, Salazar said "let’s get something straight: I want DIGNITY for Americans and I put Americans first." She said the bill removes criminal illegal immigrants and recent arrivals to the country, and "shuts down future illegal immigrantion once and for all."

She claimed that a "full mass deportation of long-time, contributing immigrants would hit Americans where it hurts: Higher costs. Less housing and construction. Strained healthcare and senior care. Broken supply chains. Major economic problems. It would raise the cost of living and lower the quality of life for American families."

The bill establishes the Dignity Program, which would be open to illegal immigrants who have been "continually physically present" in the US since December 31, 2025, is not deemed inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act, pays restitution of at least $1,000, and pass background checks. Among those ineligible are those who have been convicted of felonies or at least two separate misdemeanors. Those who are approved to participate in the program will be granted deferred action for seven years.

The bill also includes the Dream Act, which grants permanent resident status to migrants who entered the country as children and were lawfully admitted into the country.

Speaking with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Rep Mike Lawler, a Republican co-sponsor of the legislation, attempted to defend the bill. He stressed that criminals would not get "a free pass" into the country. He warned that the Democrats, if they take back control of Congress and the White House, would end the filibuster and would "pass a blanket amnesty bill," which he claimed the current bill was not.

Per Newsweek, people familiar with Salazar’s office’s plans said that the representative is set to present the bill at a Capitol event on April 16.