We often heard about anti-ICE protests.  Only a few months ago they -- along with various unfortunate deaths -- had completely overtaken a news cycle that now hardly utters a word about them.  Despite the silence around the topic tensions remain high and protests continue to occur today.

The Dignity Act of 2025 is a bipartisan bill that would (among other things) allow qualifying undocumented persons to partake in the "Dignity Program" -- a 7 year program that if completed would allow them to gain legal status (not citizenship).  All potential applicants must register within 2 years of the passing of the bill.  The program goes as follows:

Before the Program:

• Applicants must pass a criminal background check
• Applicants must have been continually in the US since before 2021 (before Biden's presidency)
• Applicants must pay a $1,000 fine (goes to American Workers Fund, established in Act; part of $7,000)
• Participants must register with DHS
• Participants must submit biometric data
• Participants must submit a sworn declaration that they were in the country unlawfully

During the 7 Year Program:

• Participants must be employed or in school for at least 4 of the 7 years in the program (exception for children, disabled persons, and those with young children)
• Participants must check in with DHS every 2 years with a testimony of good standing within their community
• Participants will continue to make restitution payments until a sum of $7,000 is paid (continuation of initial payment)
• Participants must abide by all state and federal laws
• Participants will purchase healthcare
• Participants are ineligible for federal means-tested benefits (SNAP for example)
• Participants are exempt from paying FICA taxes but will pay 1% of their income (this will go towards the border infrastructure earlier in the act and paying down the national debt)

*Note that participants are granted work and travel authorizations and are protected from deportation so long as they meet the requirements necessary to remain in the program

After the Program (If Successfully Completed):

• Participants can apply for "Dignity Status" (Established in Act; it will allow them to remain in and continue working in the US)
• The Dignity Status lasts for 7 years is indefinitely renewable so long as they remain in good standing with the law (abide by all state and federal laws)
• Participants are permanently ineligible for means-tested benefits

Bill Summary​

The Actual Bill