Support Balanced Immigration Policies
Over recent months, concerns have grown regarding the humanitarian, economic, and community impacts of broad mass deportation policies. Enforcement practices have increasingly affected individuals without criminal records, contributed to family instability, and placed many immigrants in harsh detention conditions.
Two immigration bills in Congress offer proposals for structured, lawful alternatives designed to strengthen systems while promoting stability for families and communities.
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA urges Congress to pass these bills and calls on the president to sign them into law.
Legislation We Support
The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393)
A bipartisan proposal that would:
- Expedite asylum processing and adjudication
- Reduce visa backlogs
- Provide structured, conditional pathways to legal status
- Invest in workforce development for U.S. workers
- Prioritize border security and interior enforcement
- Enhance employment verification mechanisms
Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 (S. 2468 / H.R. 4696)
This legislation would:
- Allow undocumented residents of good moral character to pursue lawful permanent residence
- Update eligibility criteria tied to long-term U.S. residence
- Offer relief to individuals with deep roots and continuous residence in the United States
Why This Matters
Immigration policy shapes whether families remain together, whether individuals can work lawfully, and whether communities experience stability or prolonged fear and uncertainty.
Broad enforcement-only approaches can:
- Disrupt families
- Create economic instability
- Strain legal systems
- Divert resources from public safety priorities
These bills propose reforms that aim to:
- Expand lawful pathways
- Strengthen accountability systems
- Allow DHS to screen applicants more effectively
- Prioritize security threats
- Promote family unity
- Support workforce stability
- Reduce social discord
While no legislation is perfect, these proposals represent constructive steps toward lawful and humane immigration policies.
Additional Actions You Can Take
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is JRS/USA concerned about mass deportation policies?
JRS/USA has expressed concern about enforcement approaches that contribute to family separation, arrest and detain non-criminals, create prolonged social instability, and violate Constitutional rights and DHS’s own standards.
How do these bills provide an alternative?
These proposals establish structured pathways to legal status for certain undocumented residents, allow for screening and vetting of applicants, and reduce community tension.
Would enforcement still exist under these reforms?
Yes. Both bills maintain border and interior enforcement mechanisms while seeking to improve system efficiency and prioritizing public safety.
How could families benefit?
By expanding lawful pathways, reducing visa backlogs, and expediting asylum determinations, these reforms will decrease prolonged uncertainty, the deportation of non-criminals, and family separation.
Why is DHS resource prioritization important?
Structured legal pathways allow DHS to screen applicants and better focus enforcement resources on public safety and national security threats.
