Congresswomen at work on immigration plan

A bipartisan duo of Hispanic women are introducing the most robust immigration proposal to date this Congress, a significant collaboration as a new generation of lawmakers pushes for meaningful reform of the nation’s immigration system after decades of failed attempts.

For six months, Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, have been quietly negotiating on key issues where Republican and Democrats have previously sought changes, while leaning on their lived experiences as lawmakers representing border districts with majority Hispanic constituencies.

The result is a roughly 500-page bill called “The Dignity Act” that, among other things, would provide billions of dollars for border security measures, create pathways to citizenship for some undocumented migrants already in the United States, update the legal immigration process, and establish “humanitarian campuses” on the U.S. border that would process asylum claims in 60 days.

The bipartisan bill is another step in the effort to force a conversation between the parties as immigration-related issues continue to affect communities around the country. A growing group of lawmakers, who were elected after the last push for comprehensive immigration overhaul failed in 2013, is eager to engage in the debate, while many who came before them have lost hope. Salazar called immigration “the most toxic topic in Congress.”

Escobar, who represents the border city of El Paso, and Salazar, who represents part of Miami, acknowledge the herculean task they’re attempting in an era of deeply partisan politics.

Salazar and Escobar were joined at a news conference Tuesday by four original co-sponsors who are all women: Reps. Hillary J. Scholten, D-Mich., Kathy E. Manning, D-N.C., Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R- Ore., and Del. Jenniffer González-Colón, R-Puerto Rico. Rep. Michael Lawler, N.Y., a vulnerable Republican representing a Democratic-leaning district, signed onto the measure late Monday and also attended.

The partnership is the first bipartisan bill since 2013 that includes a path to citizenship for adult undocumented immigrants and changes legal immigration pathways that have prevented many from acquiring visas. It is also the first time a group of women have pushed such legislation, given that the notable “Gang of Eight” from 2008 and those who spearheaded the 2013 effort were largely white men.

The bill’s introduction comes after House Republicans passed a border security bill this month along party lines; House Republican leaders have said since last year that consideration of a largescale immigration overhaul would not happen until a border security plan had passed the chamber.