Congress is split over talk of blocking deportations for illegal immigrants—with a new bill in the hopper that would put a temporary pause on the removal of some migrants working in the United States.

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican who represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District, which is almost three-quarters Hispanic, has reintroduced the Dignity Act—which would defer deportation for potentially millions of illegal immigrants working in the United States.

These immigrants would “be offered a chance to work, pay restitution, get right with the law, and earn legal status,” according to a Salazar press release.

It would also expedite the asylum system while providing additional personnel and authority to border enforcement agencies.

Ten Republicans, mostly from blue states, have signed on in support of the legislation, and 10 Democrats as well. 

However, hard-line conservatives have recoiled at the idea of a pathway to protected status for illegal immigrants.

“There’s no ‘dignity’ in rewarding individuals who blatantly disregarded our immigration laws and entered our country illegally,” Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, wrote on the social media platform X on Friday. “Illegally entering our country is breaking the law and, by definition, makes one a criminal. Criminals deserve to be deported, not rewarded, for........

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