Rep. Maria Salazar’s DIGNIDAD Act is amnesty in disguise, op-ed argues

Rep. Maria Salazar insists the DIGNIDAD Act is not amnesty; that it only gave “honor” to long-term illegal immigrants who played by the new rules he wrote. Mierda. His bill is a backdoor route to citizenship for millions of people who broke our laws to get here. Congress should eliminate this outright and every Republican co-sponsor should remove their name from this campaign and apologize to their voters.

Let’s apply this to the “Maryland Father” Kilmar Abrego Garcia to show how ridiculous the bill is. He is an illegal alien from El Salvador who came here in 2011 when he was 16 years old. Law enforcement linked it to MS-13. His wife accused him of beating her. He was caught on police body camera driving other fugitives from Texas to Maryland. But under Salazar’s bill, every box is checked for the “Dreamer” path that leads directly to a green card and then to citizenship. A future Democratic administration might just handle the paperwork.

The bill recognizes him as a naturalized person because he entered as a minor 15 years ago. Never mind that he was separated and removed; has an exception to the continuous presence requirement. You might think that his ties to MS-13 would exclude him, and the bill states that gang members would be banned if they “voluntarily participate in crimes committed by a criminal street gang.” But turn the page and Salazar’s bill quietly underscores the rule: Federal authorities would be expressly prohibited from using state or federal gang databases to prove anyone is a gang member. Not the allegations in the FBI’s gang files. Not state gang task force records. Nothing. Apparently they would need a full criminal conviction for gang activity, which would make the person inadmissible on ordinary felony grounds anyway. It’s the kind of verdict that makes you wonder if Maria Salazar thinks we’re all stupid.

Domestic violence? The bill doesn’t just take into account allegations or even police reports. A conviction is needed, which Abrego Garcia’s case did not have. And even then, Abrego Garcia could claim herself as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking and receive a waiver. Human trafficking? The Secretary of Homeland Security may choose to waive this disqualification “for humanitarian purposes, family reunification, or because the waiver is otherwise in the public interest.” This is a gap the size of the minibus that Abrego Garcia uses for migrant traffic.

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Moreover, all he has to do is enroll in a “training program” that will help him get his GED or technical credential. After meeting the work or education requirement for several years, one will be legally eligible for permanent residence. The transition to citizenship from here is seamless. Tell me again how this is not forgiveness.

The situation of Abrego Garcia is just one example of how horrific this act can be; It’s even worse when you consider the scale. Salazar’s DIGNITY Program will grant deferred activity and work authorization to millions of people who have been here since late 2020, completing a path to renewable “Dignity Status.”

Kilmar Abrego Garcia arrived at the federal courthouse on February 26 for a hearing on whether to dismiss the charges against him. (George Walker IV/AP)

This is the exact opposite of what voters want in 2024. Americans elected a Republican Congress and a president who promised mass deportations. Instead, some Republicans are inexplicably lining up behind a Florida congressman’s bill that would allow wife-beating MS-13 workers to stay and finally vote. Co-sponsors need to own this, especially those in safe red zones who should know better. Withdraw your support. Cut the bill. Don’t let it come to the ground.

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The rule of law is not optional. We already have a legal immigration system. People wait years, pay thousands, and follow the rules. Providing the same benefits to people who cross the line, join gangs, beat their wives, or traffick others is the middle finger to every law-abiding American and every legal immigrant who does it the right way.

There is no correction of this invoice. He must die. Every Republican co-sponsor must publicly retract today. If they don’t, primary voters shouldn’t vote for them in 2026. The American people did not send them to Washington to vote for amnesty. They should remember this.

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