US Legislation Proposes Accelerated Green Card Process for Indians, Promising Faster and Equitable Opportunities
The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced a new immigration bill, known as the Dignity Act of 2025. This bipartisan proposal aims to modernize the immigration system, offering a more efficient and humane approach to managing the country's immigration processes.
The Dignity Act of 2025 is a comprehensive reform bill that focuses on legalizing pathways for undocumented immigrants, addressing green card backlogs, enhancing border security, and reforming legal immigration processes.
Key provisions of the bill include the establishment of the Dignity Program and Dignity Status for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. Approved individuals will receive a non-immigrant status that allows them to work and travel like a green card holder, but it does not provide a direct path to citizenship or family sponsorship.
The bill also grants Dreamers (including DACA recipients) a path to conditional permanent residency, valid for up to 10 years, and eventual citizenship eligibility for those in good standing.
To address the long-standing green card backlogs, the bill introduces a $20,000 premium processing option to fast-track green card applications for family- and employment-based applicants waiting over 10 years. Additionally, it raises per-country green card caps from 7% to 15% to reduce backlogs and expands visa eligibility for STEM and medical doctoral graduates.
The bill also proposes changes for students on F-1 visas, offering new flexibility for staying and contributing after graduation. However, specific details about changes to the F-1 Visa are not provided in the bill.
The Dignity Act of 2025 also includes stricter enforcement measures, such as increased penalties for child sex trafficking, illicit avoidance of immigration officers, and harboring undocumented immigrants. Mandatory E-Verify is required to help ensure legal employment.
The bill allocates $3.6 billion to streamline immigration processing, aiming to modernize infrastructure and reduce delays.
The lead sponsor of the bill is Republican Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, with co-lead Veronica Escobar, a Democrat. Ten more Republican members have added their support to the bill.
The Dignity Act of 2025 outlines a legal channel for undocumented individuals to settle down with dignity, providing legal clarity and protection for those living in the U.S. The bill shows a shift in tone, suggesting a simpler path and a more human process.
The Dignity Act of 2025 is currently a proposal and is yet to become a law. It is being reviewed by lawmakers and committees, with updates and changes based on the earlier version from 2023.
[1] Congressional Research Service. (2025). The Dignity Act of 2025: An Overview. [2] U.S. House of Representatives. (2025). The Dignity Act of 2025: Key Provisions. [3] Migration Policy Institute. (2025). Analysis of the Dignity Act of 2025. [4] National Immigration Forum. (2025). The Dignity Act of 2025: A Comprehensive Immigration Reform Proposal. [5] American Immigration Council. (2025). The Dignity Act of 2025: What You Need to Know.
The Dignity Act of 2025, a proposal in U.S. politics, falls under the category of policy-and-legislation, especially in the realm of general-news, as it introduces comprehensive reforms for immigration. This bipartisan bill, being reviewed by lawmakers and committees, aims to modernize and humanize the immigration system by providing a more efficient pathway for undocumented immigrants and addressing green card backlogs.
