Members of the House Freedom Caucus told the Daily Caller why they are opposing a Republican-sponsored amnesty bill proposal.
Several Caucus members have pushed back against Republican Florida Rep. Maria Salazar’s DIGNIDAD (Dignity Act), which sparked renewed scrutiny following an interview Sunday with bill co-sponsor Republican New York Rep. Mike Lawler. (RELATED: Maria Salazar And Brandon Gill Throw Down Over Amnesty Bill)
Amnesty is a free pass. It is what exists now.
With the DIGNITY Act, you come forward, you face the law, you pass background checks, you pay what you owe, and you earn your place or you get deported.
Criminals? Gone.
⁰American workers? Protected.Our national security depends… https://t.co/UNFPILYnjg
— Rep. María Elvira Salazar (@RepMariaSalazar) April 7, 2026
Caucus member and Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy told the Daily Caller that the bill “rewards illegal immigration.”
“The so-called Dignity Act isn’t about dignity—it’s about eroding accountability,” he said. “It rewards illegal immigration with sweeping amnesty for millions of lawbreakers while pushing aside the basic duty to put Americans first. A nation that won’t enforce its own laws isn’t compassionate, it’s neglecting its responsibility to its own citizens.”
Lawler promoted the bill during a Sunday interview on Fox News’ One Nation with Brian Kilmeade, describing it as a bipartisan effort to fix the immigration system.
He said the proposal would “get people out of the shadows” by granting legal status — not citizenship — to long-term illegal immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for more than five years, have no criminal record, pay taxes and fines, maintain employment and do not rely on government assistance. (RELATED: GOP Lawmaker Mike Lawler Attempts To Resurrect Amnesty Plan)
NO AMNESTY.
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) April 7, 2026
The legislation has support from Democrats and 18 Republican lawmakers.
Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman asserted that the legislative proposal is “mass amnesty.”
“The Dignity Act is mass amnesty by another name,” he told the Caller. “Conservatives are right to stand firm with President Trump’s agenda of securing the border and enforcing the law first.” (RELATED: House GOP Seemingly Relents In SAVE Act Standoff With Senate)
Caucus member Republican Illinois Rep. Mary Miller told the Caller the Dignity Act betrays voters, adding that Americans are bearing the costs of illegal immigration.
“The ‘Dignidad Act’ is an insult to the American people and the mandate they delivered to enforce our immigration laws and deport those who violate them,” Miller told the Caller.
“Americans are fed up with footing the bill while watching their communities strained, and in far too many tragic cases, grieving loved ones lost as a result of unchecked mass migration. I will stand firmly with them and oppose any attempt to advance this legislation that seeks mass amnesty,” Miller said.
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