The National Restaurant Association has endorsed the Dignity Act (H.R.4393), according to a June 1 announcement, adding its support to bipartisan efforts for immigration reform in Congress.
The endorsement comes as restaurant owners nationwide face ongoing workforce shortages that have affected hiring and expansion. Rep. María Elvira Salazar said, “America’s job creators stand united, and their message is unmistakable. From manufacturers to restaurant owners, the industries that feed America, employ America, and power America’s economy agree: America cannot compete in the 21st century with a 20th-century immigration system.” Salazar added, “I am grateful to the National Restaurant Association for its endorsement of the Dignity Act. Their support is a powerful reminder that Americans who enjoy dining in restaurants, and the employers across the country who make this possible, are living with the consequences of a broken immigration system every day. They deserve a Congress willing to confront reality and finally deliver results.”
Sean Kennedy, chief advocacy officer for the National Restaurant Association, said, “Immigration reform is not abstract policy for the restaurant industry—it is the foundation of a strong restaurant workforce and a thriving U.S. economy.” Kennedy continued: “Protecting today’s employees, modernizing visa programs, and building a forward-looking system will help the restaurant industry grow, create jobs, and continue serving as cultural and economic anchors in every community.”
According to data provided by supporters of the legislation, nearly 16 million Americans are employed at more than one million restaurant locations nationwide; over one in five workers are immigrants; almost one million jobs remain open across hospitality sectors; an additional 1.6 million workers will be needed over ten years; full-service restaurants remain about 200,000 jobs below pre-pandemic staffing levels.
Supporters say nine out of ten American restaurants are small businesses facing persistent workforce shortages without meaningful reforms. The Dignity Act aims to address these challenges by creating legal pathways for long-term workers already contributing to local economies while pairing accountability with workforce development.
The legislation now has backing from forty members of Congress as well as nearly one hundred national organizations representing major sectors including business associations such as Business Roundtable and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
