GOP Rep. Salazar Denies 'Amnesty' in Her Immigration Bill Despite Evidence

Salazar's 'Dignity Act' faces backlash from critics who say it provides amnesty and expands immigration

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A colorful, fragmented painting depicting the U.S. Capitol building, representing the divisive debate over immigration policy in Congress.A fractured, abstract painting captures the political tensions over immigration reform legislation.NYC Today

Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) is defending her 'Dignity Act' immigration bill against accusations that it amounts to amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants. However, critics have detailed numerous provisions in the bill that they say would grant amnesty, increase immigration, and undercut American workers.

Why it matters

Salazar's bill is seen as a way for some Republicans to appease business interests seeking more immigrant workers, while also trying to avoid creating a large new bloc of Democratic-leaning immigrant voters. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions within the GOP over immigration policy.

The details

Salazar's bill, known as the 'Dignity Act', has 20 Republican and 20 Democratic co-sponsors. She angrily responded to criticism from Rep. Bandon Gill (R-TX), who accused the bill of providing amnesty. Salazar insisted the bill is focused on 'enforcement first' and 'hard, earned requirements' rather than 'amnesty'. However, critics have detailed numerous provisions they say would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, increase immigration, and make it harder to deport criminal aliens. The bill has faced a backlash from pro-American groups who say it would harm U.S. workers.

  • Rep. Salazar responded to the criticism on April 7, 2026.

The players

Rep. Maria Salazar

A Republican Congresswoman from Florida who is the lead sponsor of the 'Dignity Act' immigration bill.

Rep. Bandon Gill

A Republican Congressman from Texas who criticized Salazar's 'Dignity Act' as providing amnesty.

Immigration Accountability Project

A pro-American immigration group that detailed how Salazar's bill amounts to amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants.

Center for Immigration Studies

A think tank that analyzed the 'Dignity Act' and concluded it would provide amnesty for 12 million illegal immigrants and lead to over 5 million additional immigrants over the next decade.

Rep. Mike Lawler

A Republican Congressman from New York who is a co-sponsor of Salazar's 'Dignity Act'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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.”

— Rep. Maria Salazar, Congresswoman

“It's amnesty for millions of illegal aliens. It's amnesty for so-called Dreamers; it's amnesty for illegal aliens who came to the US prior to 2021; it's amnesty for illegal aliens who marry US citizens (talk about an incentive for immigration fraud!); and it's amnesty for all the employers that hired all the illegal aliens who get amnesty. It is not a serious immigration bill. IT IS AMNESTY”

— Immigration Accountability Project, Pro-American immigration group

“Amnesty for 12 million now plus more than five million extra immigrants over the next decade”

— Center for Immigration Studies, Think tank

What’s next

The 'Dignity Act' will likely face continued scrutiny and opposition from immigration hawks as it moves through the legislative process.

The takeaway

Salazar's bill highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican party over immigration policy, as some GOP members seek to balance the demands of business interests and the concerns of their base over immigration.