U.S. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) convened a roundtable in Miami with leaders from religious, veteran, and community organizations to discuss ongoing immigration challenges and highlight bipartisan support for the Dignity Act of 2025.
Participants noted that immigration affects many aspects of life in Miami, including small businesses, agriculture, construction, healthcare, and education. Community members have reported impacts such as reduced church attendance, increased demand on service organizations, and labor shortages across several industries.
Rep. Salazar emphasized the need for reform by stating: “America was built on faith, family, and freedom. But right now, too many of our neighbors are afraid to go to work or send their children to school. This crisis is not theoretical, it is lived every single day in our schools, hospitals, farms, and businesses. Every sector of our economy depends on immigrants, and when they live in fear, our entire community suffers. That is why I brought us all together today, to face this reality and find solutions.”
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami expressed appreciation for bipartisan efforts: “At a time when instances of bipartisan cooperation seem to be few and far between, especially related to immigration, I am deeply grateful to Congresswoman Salazar, Congresswoman Escobar, and their colleagues for this sustained commitment to working across the aisle. Bipartisan collaboration is not only possible, it’s absolutely necessary. The Dignity Act is a step in the right direction, one that should begin and end with respect for the God-given dignity of every person.”
JC Gomez, Commander of American Legion Post 98 in Coral Gables said: “I am proud to echo the American Legion’s National Commanders support for the Dignity Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation reflects the values we stand for, ensuring the security of our borders, modernizing the legal immigration system, and addressing today’s challenges with a firm commitment to national security. At the same time I recognize that some of our members hold differing views on this issue. That diversity of opinion is part of what strengthens our organization as we remain united in our shared mission to safeguard America and uphold the principles of law fairness and service.”
Stephanie Torres from The LIBRE Initiative added: “The Dignity Act represents a courageous bipartisan important step toward restoring both order and dignity to our immigration system a system that has for too long fallen behind the needs of our country and the hopes of families pursuing the American Dream. By strengthening border security and improving legal pathways this legislation tackles key aspect of our broken outdated immigration system.”
Afterward Rep. Salazar held a press conference stressing urgent reform needs.
The Dignity Act of 2025—introduced by Rep. Salazar—is currently described as Congress’s only serious bipartisan proposal addressing immigration reform without granting amnesty while aiming to strengthen border security and offer solutions for undocumented immigrants living in uncertainty.
