Salazar asks Trump to turn his immigration opening into a bipartisan agreement

Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar urged President Donald Trump to push for an immigration agreement with bipartisan support, after he acknowledged the impact of deporting workers without criminal records. In a message broadcast on X, the legislator presented those statements as an opportunity to move forward with the Dignity Act, an initiative she promotes with Democrat Veronica Escobar. She argued that Congress can thus address a problem that has been unsolved for decades.

In an interview with the 60 Minutes program, Trump mentioned people employed in hotels, cleaning and other services, and admitted that their expulsion has political consequences. He also said that he would be willing to talk about a way out for immigrants established in the country for years, while defending the deportation of those who commit serious crimes. He did not announce an agreement or specify the conditions of an eventual measure. Salazar asked that he convene Republicans and Democrats to negotiate.

The congresswoman presented the proposal as a response that combines immigration control with an option for certain immigrants. She also linked the debate to the economy and the cost of living, mentioning areas such as housing, food, health and manufacturing. Her argument is that immigration decisions have an impact on both families and businesses that employ immigrant workers. However, the provision expressed by Trump does not imply formal endorsement of every component of the initiative.

The version filed in July 2025, identified as H.R. 4393, contemplates a seven-year program for people who were in the United States before December 31, 2020. According to the summary of Salazar's office, participants would have to pass a background check, comply with the law, pay taxes owed and pay $7,000 during that period. They would also have to report periodically to the Department of Homeland Security.

Those who completed the program could apply for a renewable status to live and work in the country, as well as authorization to travel. The proposal does not by itself establish a route to permanent residency or citizenship. Therefore, completing five or ten years of stay would not automatically be enough to access: the date of arrival and the other requirements would be decisive. Cuban nationality, by itself, would not guarantee admission either. Presidential declarations do not change the status of those who have pending procedures.

The initiative is being proposed in a changing political scenario and while Salazar's continuity in Congress was pending a recount in Florida's 27th district. The results prior to the count gave him an advantage of 1,090 votes over Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, equivalent to about 0.44 percentage points. The machine recount was scheduled for November 9 in Doral. There was no definitive winner, and it was not known whether Trump's opening would translate into negotiations or an approved law.