The Dignity Act of 2025: A Game Changer for EB-3 Applicants and Employers
“A bipartisan bill (H.R. 4393) introduced in Congress that could reduce EB-3 visa backlogs, modernize processing, and strengthen America’s workforce.”
About the Dignity Act of 2025
The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) is a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 15, 2025 by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX). The legislation seeks to modernize the U.S. immigration system while addressing workforce needs, border security, and the backlogs that have left many EB-3 applicants waiting years for their chance to work in the United States.
This bill is especially important because it represents a rare bipartisan effort to improve both border security and legal immigration at the same time – making it more likely to move forward in Congress compared to narrowly focused proposals. For employers and applicants alike, it offers hope for a system that is faster, fairer, and more predictable.
Bill Facts
Bill Number: H.R. 4393
Name: The Dignity Act of 2025
Date Introduced: July 15, 2025
Status: Introduced in the House of Representatives
Primary Sponsors:
- Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL)
- Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
Focus: Bipartisan immigration reform pairing border security with legal immigration modernization.
“A bipartisan plan to modernize the immigration system and reduce EB-3 visa backlogs.”
Key Links
Step 1
We’re excited to provide you with an easy way to message your House and Senate Representatives, and the White House, requesting their support for legislation that would significantly speed up EB-3 visa processing times.
The Dignity Act of 2025 has strong bipartisan support, and your voice can help keep the momentum going.
Contact Your Representatives
Contact Your Representatives (by state)Draft Emails
Category: Labor and Workforce
Email Subject: Support the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393) to Reduce Visa Backlogs
Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],
As an EB-3 visa applicant, I am writing to respectfully ask for your support of the Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393). The current wait times for employment-based visas are extremely long, creating uncertainty for applicants like me who are eager to contribute to the U.S. economy and build stable lives for our families.
This bipartisan legislation would modernize the immigration system and reduce backlogs by increasing visa availability and improving processing. These changes would give workers like me a fairer and faster opportunity to join the American workforce and help fill critical labor shortages.
I urge you to co-sponsor and advocate for this important bill. It is a practical solution that benefits both applicants and U.S. employers who depend on reliable, long-term employees.
Thank you for your leadership and for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Country of Origin]
Category: Labor and Workforce
Email Subject: Support the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393) to Strengthen Our Workforce
Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],
As an employer in your state/district, I urge you to support the Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393). We are facing a major labor shortage. There simply are not enough qualified workers applying for our open positions. This is stalling our growth and limiting our ability to meet demand.
This workforce bill would help our business fill critical roles with dependable, long-term employees. By modernizing the employment-based immigration system and accelerating EB-3 visa processing, the Dignity Act offers a practical solution to one of the most pressing challenges facing our business.
I strongly encourage you to co-sponsor and advocate for this bipartisan legislation. It is a necessary step to strengthen our workforce and support our economic growth.
Thank you for your time and leadership.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Business Name]
Step 2: Call the White House
White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET
Phone Script for Employers
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m an employer in [Your State]. I am calling to urge the President to support the Dignity Act of 2025, H.R. 4393. We face a severe labor shortage, and the EB-3 visa program is one of the best solutions. The Dignity Act would speed up visa processing and help businesses like mine fill critical jobs with reliable, long-term employees. Please encourage Congress to pass this important bipartisan legislation.”
Phone Script for Applicants
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am an EB-3 visa applicant. I am calling to ask the President to support the Dignity Act of 2025, H.R. 4393. Current visa backlogs are extremely long and prevent workers like me from contributing fully to the U.S. economy. This bill would modernize the system, reduce wait times, and benefit both applicants and U.S. employers. Please help move this important bipartisan bill forward.
Step 3: Share on Social Media
Help spread the word! Encourage others to support the Dignity Act of 2025 by sharing on LinkedIn or X/Twitter.
LinkedIn Post (longer format):
U.S. employers are facing critical labor shortages, and the EB-3 visa program is one of the best long-term solutions. The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) would reduce visa backlogs, modernize processing, and strengthen America’s workforce. I encourage Congress to support this important bipartisan legislation. #Workforce #ImmigrationReform #EB3
Learn more here
X/Twitter Post (short format):
The Dignity Act (H.R. 4393) is a bipartisan solution to labor shortages. It modernizes EB-3 visa processing and helps U.S. employers build stable workforces. Congress should act now. #EB3 #ImmigrationReform Link
LinkedIn Post (longer format):
EB-3 visa applicants want the chance to work hard, contribute, and build a future in the U.S. The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) would reduce backlogs and give us that fair opportunity. I urge Congress to pass this bipartisan bill. #ImmigrationReform #EB3Visa
Learn more here
X/Twitter Post (short format):
EB-3 visa applicants deserve a fair chance. The Dignity Act (H.R. 4393) would reduce backlogs & strengthen the workforce. Congress should support it now. #EB3 #ImmigrationReform Link
Benefits to EB-3 Visa Employers and Applicants
Four Ways the Dignity Act Will Help EB-3 Visa Applicants
The proposed Dignity Act of 2025 includes changes that would directly benefit workers applying for the EB-3 visa. These reforms mean shorter waits, more security for families, and a clearer path to permanent residency.
1. Faster Green Card Availability
- Only the worker would count toward the annual green card quota, not spouses or children.
- This means more visa slots open up for applicants, reducing backlogs and wait times.
- Applicants can secure permanent residency more quickly and with less uncertainty.
2. Faster Processing with Better Agency Support
- More funding for immigration agencies means faster labor certification, petition approvals, and consular processing.
- A new Immigration Agency Coordinator will reduce delays caused by poor communication between agencies.
- Applicants will face fewer bottlenecks and a smoother journey from start to finish.
3. Family Stability and Protection
- Families won’t take up visa slots, meaning children are less likely to “age out” when they turn 21.
- Applicants can move forward knowing their spouse and children will remain included in the process.
- This gives families peace of mind while planning their futures in the U.S.
4. More Predictability in the Immigration Journey
- Clearer, faster timelines help applicants plan for education, finances, and long-term goals.
- Reduced uncertainty makes it easier to commit to the EB-3 process with confidence.
- Applicants can look ahead knowing when they’re likely to secure green cards for themselves and their families.
Four Ways the Dignity Act Will Help EB-3 Visa Employers
The proposed Dignity Act of 2025 includes reforms that could directly strengthen the EB-3 visa program. For U.S. employers, these changes mean faster, more predictable access to reliable workers.
1. Faster Green Card Availability
- Only the principal worker would count toward annual visa caps, not their spouses or children.
- More green card slots for workers means employees arrive faster and stay longer.
- Employers can plan recruitment and onboarding with greater certainty.
2. Reduced Processing Delays
- Increased funding for the Department of Labor, USCIS, and the State Department will cut backlogs.
- A new Immigration Agency Coordinator will streamline communication between agencies.
- Smoother processing means fewer administrative headaches and lower costs for employers.
3. Stronger Family Stability = Stronger Workforce Commitment
- Families will no longer be counted against visa quotas, reducing risk that children “age out.”
- Workers who know their families are secure are more committed and less likely to abandon the process.
- Employers benefit from lower attrition during the 3+ year EB-3 wait time.
4. Predictability for Long-Term Workforce Planning
- Clearer timelines reduce risk and uncertainty.
- Employers can budget, schedule training, and build a multi-year workforce pipeline with confidence.
- This predictability makes EB-3 a stronger, more practical solution to chronic labor shortages.
Introduction of the Dignity Act 2025
FAQ
No. The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 15, 2025, but it has not yet been passed into law. For the bill to take effect, it must first pass the House, then the Senate, and finally be signed by the President. Along the way, the text could be amended, provisions added or removed, and timelines adjusted. Right now, it is in the early stages of the legislative process.
Not immediately. If enacted, the Dignity Act would make structural changes that relieve the pressure on employment-based visa categories over time. For example, by excluding spouses and children from the visa cap and raising per-country limits, the bill would effectively make more EB-3 visas available to principal applicants each year. It also sets a target to reduce all employment- and family-based backlogs to no more than 10 years.
However, the U.S. immigration system is complex, and agencies like the Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the State Department would need time to implement these changes. Funding in the bill is designed to speed up processing, but applicants and employers should expect gradual improvements rather than an overnight fix.
Not directly. The bill’s main focus is on visa availability and processing capacity—in other words, making more EB visas accessible and reducing wait times for green cards. The PERM Labor Certification process, which is the first step for most EB-3 cases and is run by the Department of Labor, is not overhauled in the current text of the bill.
That said, the Act does include provisions for increased resources and coordination across agencies, which could help reduce bottlenecks in how quickly PERM applications and related steps are handled. In short, PERM itself wouldn’t change, but the timeframe to move through the process could improve because of added funding and efficiency measures.
If you are already waiting in the EB-3 backlog, the Dignity Act could directly benefit you. By removing spouses and children from the visa count and raising the per-country cap, more green card numbers would be available each year for principal applicants. That means the line could move faster for people already waiting.
The bill also includes a “backlog reduction” plan, which sets a target to clear all employment- and family-based green card queues to no more than 10 years. For those stuck in extremely long waits (sometimes 15+ years in certain categories), the bill would create an optional fee-based pathway to speed up their place in line. In other words, it’s not just about future applicants—it’s also designed to provide relief to those who have been waiting the longest.
No. The reforms in the Dignity Act would affect the entire employment-based immigration system, not just new cases. By changing how visas are counted and distributed, the bill would impact:
- New applicants entering the process, who would face shorter projected wait times.
- Current applicants already in the backlog, who would see faster movement of priority dates as more visa numbers are freed up.
- Employers sponsoring workers, who could benefit from a more predictable pipeline of employees arriving over the long term.
In short, the Dignity Act is not limited to future filings—it is structured to help clear the existing backlog while also preventing new ones from growing as large.
