H.R. 6637

Dignity for Immigrants while Guarding our Nation to Ignite and Deliver the American Dream Act or as the DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act

This bill addresses immigration-related issues, such as requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume construction of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border and providing removal deferral for eligible non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law).

For example, the bill

• requires DHS to resume all barrier construction activities along the southern border that were underway or being planned prior to January 20, 2021;
• authorizes DHS to request National Guard support to secure the southern border;
• requires the hiring of additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel;
• provides funding for border infrastructure and equipment;
• provides statutory authority for the Flores settlement, which established policies pertaining to the treatment of minors without lawful immigration status by DHS;
• requires employers to verify the immigration status of individuals using an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system;
• provides a path to permanent resident status to eligible individuals without lawful immigration status who entered the United States as minors (commonly referred to as Dreamers);
• establishes the Dignity Program, which defers the removal of eligible individuals without lawful immigration status who meet various requirements, including paying into a fund to provide training to U.S. workers;
• establishes the Redemption Program, which provides a path to permanent resident status to individuals who complete the Dignity Program and meet various requirements, including making additional payments into the U.S. worker fund; and
• requires the Department of State to implement a strategy to address the key factors contributing to individuals from Central America traveling to the United States.