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May 30, 2023

U.S. House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Immigration Bill

Last week, Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, and Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, introduced the Dignity Act, the first major bipartisan immigration bill that the U.S. Congress has seen is more than a decade.

The lawmakers said the bill attempts to adhere to four core principles: stopping illegal immigration, providing a dignified solution for undocumented immigrants living in the United States, strengthening the U.S. workforce and economy, and ensuring the United States remains prosperous and competitive in the future.

While complete details are available here, key provisions include:

  • Providing $25 billion in funding, along with all of the necessary infrastructure, personnel, and technology, to fully secure the border;
  • Implementing a mandatory E-Verify system so that employers can confirm employment eligibility for workers;
  • Providing a pathway to legalization for undocumented workers currently living and working in the United States;
  • Creating a new fund for training and upskilling U.S. workers by offering apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and higher education;
  • Implementing programs to address U.S. labor shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation; and
  • Funding improvements for Ports of Entry to increase legal commerce.

As Connecting the Dots has reported several times over the last two months, the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) supports immigration reform.

Specifically, MSCI recently joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) and more than 400 other organizations in sending a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate asking them to make specific policy changes. The letter, which is available here, said Congress should:

  • Increase the human, physical, and technological resources along the southern border and at ports of entry;
  • Sensibly reform the country’s asylum laws;
  • Institute modern, effective, and efficient employment verification reforms;
  • Significantly increase the annual quotas for employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas;
  • Expand the scope of essential worker programs, specifically allowing employers to meet temporary labor needs for non-seasonal jobs; and
  • Create new visa options for international students, entrepreneurs, and other high-demand workers to help American employers meet their critical workforce needs.

MSCI encourages its member company leaders and employees to make their voices heard on this important issue. If interested, you can do so by using this USCC portal through which you can send a letter to your U.S. senators and representatives in the U.S. House.

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