U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-Michigan) has expressed her advocacy for the Dignity Act, an immigration reform bill she co-sponsored. In a post on X, Scholten criticized House Republicans for their lack of support towards bipartisan legislation addressing the border crisis.
Scholten enthusiastically shared, "With 30+ cosponsors, the Dignity Act is building momentum, and we’re not stopping here!". She further emphasized the growing bipartisan backing for the act stating, "Support is growing from both Democrats and Republicans who know it's long past time to reform our broken immigration system."
According to information available on Scholten's website, she is a former U.S. Department of Justice attorney who earned her law degree from the University of Maryland. Prior to her current role, she clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit with a particular focus on immigration issues. Her district encompasses Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Grand Haven along with suburbs, farmland, and parts of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Screenshot of post on X
| https://twitter.com/RepScholten/status/1750888815739158703
Co-sponsor of the bill U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (R-Texas), provided an outline stating that the Dignity Act "addresses border security, border infrastructure, grants legal status to undocumented immigrants already living in the United States with the possibility of earning citizenship, establishes new pathways for asylum seekers, and creates new legal pathways for economic migrants and unaccompanied minors."
In a press release from her office, Scholten acknowledged that while this bill is "not perfect", it represents a significant step towards what is "good and necessary." She elaborated by saying: "This bill will make our communities and our country safer; it will bring our workforce into the 21st century; and will bring dignity to millions of hardworking families already living in the United States to make our country a better place."
As reported by Michigan Advance, Scholten had prioritized immigration reform during her campaign. In April 2023, she expressed frustration towards the Biden administration for not eliminating more of former President Donald Trump’s policies on the U.S.-Mexico border. She referred to the immigration system as a "crisis," advocating for policies that do not separate families who cross illegally.
In October 2023, Scholten co-signed a letter with a Democrat coalition, proposing a bipartisan package on the border for President Joe Biden's approval. The package would allocate funds for more asylum judges and administrative positions for border patrol.
Fox News reports that House Republicans, including U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), insist on prioritizing their demands on border security before allocating more funds to Ukraine in a proposed Senate bipartisan bill. Despite past opposition, Senate Republicans are now linking an additional $60 billion aid to Ukraine with changes in border security policies, creating an obstacle for its passage. Biden rejected the House Republican border bill, H.R. 2, which passed last year without any votes from Democrats. Johnson expressed that the country needs a bill similar to H.R. 2 "to reform asylum and the broken parole process."
