Rep. Salazar Joins Press Conference Highlighting New National Findings on Mixed-Status American Families and the DIGNITY Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. María Elvira Salazar joined American Families United (AFU), ABIC Action, impacted American citizens, the National Roofing Contracting Association, and the National Association of Evangelicals for a press conference highlighting new national findings on mixed-status families and the urgent need for immigration reform through the DIGNITY Act (H.R. 4393).

The event featured findings from Collateral Damage: How Immigration Policy Harms U.S. Citizens in Mixed-Status Marriages, based on 2025 AFU National Survey of Mixed-Status Couples, the first national research of its kind examining how current immigration law affects U.S. citizens married to immigrants without a viable pathway to legal status. The data reveals that families are experiencing significant emotional, financial, and medical hardship, with many already separated from their spouses.

Bringing together family advocates, faith leaders, industry representatives, and impacted Americans, the press conference underscored the real-world consequences of a broken immigration system and the growing urgency for action.

That urgency is increasingly reflected in Congress, as theDIGNITY Act gains momentumwith more than 35 cosponsors and over 65 endorsements from national and grassroots organizations.

"Behind every statistic is an American family being torn apart by a broken system. U.S. citizens in mixed-status families go to bed in fear that tomorrow they may be separated from their spouse, or that their children could lose the presence of a parent," said Rep. María Elvira Salazar. "The DIGNITY Act puts American families first by giving DHS a clear, lawful way to keep families together. It restores order and legality to our immigration system and ends the cycle of uncertainty that keeps families apart, offering a real, lasting solution grounded in dignity."

Amanda Ribeiro, a U.S. citizen and public health nurse, whose husband was detained by ICE and deported to Brazil in 2025, shared her story with the public. "When my husband was deported, I lost everything: our business, our income, our home, and most importantly, our family together," said Ribeiro. "I can't make sense of why my country, America, would want to separate my family. Who wins with my broken family living a continent apart?"

"Despite their numbers, mixed-status couples remain one of the most invisible and least understood groups in the immigration debate," said Ashley DeAzevedo, Executive Director of AFU Action. "As a result, American citizens and their children are left feeling isolated and overlooked, while policymakers lack the information they need to understand the real human consequences of our laws. I hope this report helps elected leaders at all levels of government understand the real cost of inaction."

"Today, Congress stands at a pivotal crossroads, with the opportunity to break the longstanding cycle of inaction on immigration," said Rebecca Shi, CEO of American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action)."Every day, I hear from business leaders-employers from every sector and region, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and healthcare-who are united in their call for work permits for long-term, law-abiding, tax-paying undocumented immigrant workers. Our businesses and communities depend on practical solutions that allow these workers and their families to continue driving our economy forward. The bipartisan Dignity Act offers a clear and workable path that supports employers, strengthens our workforce, and reflects the values of our nation. We thank Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar for leading this bipartisan solution, and we urge Congress and the Trump administration to move forward to secure our workforce and our economy. Americans are demanding leadership and results."

"It is imperative now, given what is happening within our industry and many others, that Congress redouble its efforts to move forward and pass legislation on this issue," said Duane Musser, Vice President of Government Relations, National Roofing Contractors Association."We want to reiterate our support for the Dignity Act. This legislation really balances our needs for further strengthened border security as well as dealing with the workforce issues."

"We bring together forty evangelical denominations and hundreds of other churches, universities, and nonprofits, many of which are only growing-and significantly growing-because of vibrant immigrant communities," said Rylee Lacy, Advocacy and Policy Manager, National Association of Evangelicals. "We know that right now many of them are hurting. They're living in fear. They're afraid to gather together to worship because of the impact of aggressive enforcement and deportation operations. While the majority of evangelical Christians do support the deportation of violent criminals, very few say the same about immigrants who have U.S. citizen children or spouses."

Speakers called on Congress to advance serious, bipartisan reforms and highlighted the DIGNITY Act of 2025 as the most viable solution to fix our broken immigration system, restoring order and legality, and creating realistic pathways that protect U.S. citizens and keep American families together.

A Real Solution for American Families:

The new national data makes one thing clear: the current immigration system is failing U.S. citizens. Families are being forced into uncertainty, separation, and impossible choices because the law offers no realistic solution.

The DIGNITY Act changes that. It creates a legal, workable pathway for spouses of U.S. citizens to come forward, regularize their status, and remain together under the law-without tearing American families apart.

For mixed-status American families, the DIGNITY Act:

• Puts U.S. citizens first by protecting family unity
• Replaces uncertainty with order, legality, and accountability
• Ensures only those who meet strict requirements can qualify

For the more than 2.6 million Americans in mixed-status families, the DIGNITY Act offers stability, certainty, and a future that keeps families together.

Resources and links:

2025 AFU National Survey of Mixed-Status Couples (Full Report)
click here

Press Conference - Watch the Full Event
click here

One-pager on the Dignity Act
click here

Section-by-section breakdown of the Dignity Act
click here

Media kit 
click here

Full text of the bill
click here