The Levin Letter: Congress Must Act to Fix Broken Immigration System
For too long, immigration has been used as a political weapon. Politicians have spent years in gridlock unable to act and failing to deliver real solutions to our immigration challenges. For decades, Congress has kicked the can down the road, hoping to one day pass bipartisan immigration reform.
The American people deserve better, and now we have a real shot at fixing our immigration system with dignity and strength.
I recently joined a bipartisan group of House members — 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans — to reintroduce the Dignity Act, a serious effort to finally help fix the system. I’ve supported this bill in the past, but now it has a real chance of becoming law.
The Dignity Act is a realistic proposal that combines stronger border security with a responsible process for undocumented immigrants who meet strict conditions to gain a pathway to legal status. That process isn’t easy. It requires them to pay fines, pass rigorous background checks and have no criminal record. It offers a path forward — one that emphasizes the American values of fairness, accountability and humanity.
The bill also includes major investments in border infrastructure and staffing, protects Dreamers, supports law enforcement personnel and tackles the visa backlog that keeps families separated and businesses stuck. It gives immigration officers more support with stronger enforcement tools, and it updates fine structures in a way that’s tough but fair.
In short, the Dignity Act is a more complete piece of legislation that addresses our country’s immigration challenges without compromising our American values. It offers both security and compassion.
This bill won’t fix everything, but it’s a very good start. It is a good-faith effort to move forward on immigration reform and border security. It respects the rule of law while also recognizing the humanity of those who live, work and contribute to our communities every day.
What makes me particularly optimistic is that there has been a major shift in public opinion.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 79% of U.S. adults say immigration benefits the nation, and more Americans view immigration as more helpful than harmful to the country. Separately, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, 51% of Americans now say they disapprove of how President Trump is handling immigration.
It’s clear that Americans want security, not chaos. They want fairness, not fear. We can have a secure border and still protect families. We can enforce our laws and still respect the dignity of every person who contributes to our communities.
I know this from personal experience. My maternal grandparents came to the United States from Mexico. They arrived with few resources, worked hard to build a small business and raised a family. Their efforts helped give me the opportunity to serve in Congress today. Their story is the American dream, an idea that anyone who works hard and follows the rules should have a chance to succeed.
But I fear that dream is slipping away as our immigration system continues to fail. Our immigration laws are outdated and poorly enforced. Our border lacks the resources needed for effective management. Families face endless visa delays. It’s time to replace chaos with order.
The Dignity Act is not a perfect bill. No bill is. But it is a real, good-faith attempt to bring both sides together and move this country forward in a responsible and respectful way.
The Dignity Act reflects what most Americans want: safety, accountability and a legal system that actually works.
We can’t afford to waste another year. We can’t allow immigration to remain a political football while families and communities suffer. It’s time to act with strength, fairness and urgency.
We’ve got a real bipartisan chance to get it done.
By: Rep. Mike Levin
Source: Picket Fence Media