(UNITED STATES) A new bipartisan bill in Congress, the Dignity Act of 2025, could soon let immigrants pay a $20,000 premium processing fee to skip the decade-long green card backlog. Introduced in August 2025, the bill aims to fix long waits for permanent residency and promises to eliminate the green card backlog by 2035.
The Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) was introduced by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas). The bill targets immigrants who have waited over ten years in either family- or employment-based green card categories. If passed, it would allow these applicants to pay a $20,000 fee to move ahead of the line and receive their green cards much faster. This proposal comes as part of a larger effort to reform the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system and address the long-standing green card backlog.
Key Provisions of the Dignity Act of 2025
The Dignity Act of 2025 introduces several major changes to current immigration policy:
- 💰 $20,000 Premium Processing Option: Immigrants who have waited more than ten years in the green card queue can pay a $20,000 fee for expedited processing. This would allow them to receive their green cards ahead of others still waiting.
- 🗓️ Elimination of the Green Card Backlog: The bill sets a goal to clear the green card backlog entirely by 2035, giving hope to hundreds of thousands of immigrants stuck in the system.
- 🌎 Increase in Per-Country Caps: The act proposes raising the per-country cap for both family and employment-based green cards from 7% to 15%. This change would help reduce long wait times for applicants from high-demand countries like India and China.
- 🔄 Optional Premium Route: The $20,000 fast lane is optional, giving applicants a choice based on their personal and financial situation.
Rep. Salazar described the bill as a fair, non-partisan solution to a broken system. She emphasized that the Dignity Act of 2025 is about fixing problems, not about politics.
Current Premium Processing vs. Proposed Fast Lane
At present, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers premium processing for certain immigration petitions. For example, applicants filing Form I-140 (used for employment-based green cards, including EB-1 and EB-2 NIW categories) can pay a premium processing fee—currently $2,805—to receive a decision faster. The processing time for these petitions is 45 business days, while nonimmigrant petitions like H-1B are processed in 15 calendar days.
| Service | Current Fee | Processing Time | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-140 Premium Processing | $2,805 | 45 business days | Speeds up petition review only |
| H-1B Premium Processing | $2,805 | 15 calendar days | Speeds up petition review only |
| Dignity Act Proposed Fast Lane | $20,000 | Much faster green card issuance | For those waiting 10+ years |
However, this existing premium processing only speeds up the review of the petition itself. It does not guarantee faster green card issuance, especially for those stuck in the green card backlog due to annual limits and per-country caps. The new $20,000 premium processing route proposed in the Dignity Act of 2025 is different. It is designed specifically to help those who have already waited over a decade by allowing them to pay for a much faster path to permanent residency.
For more information about current premium processing, applicants can visit the official USCIS Form I-907 page.
Why Is the Green Card Backlog a Problem?
The green card backlog affects hundreds of thousands of immigrants, many of whom have lived and worked in the United States 🇺🇸 for years. The backlog is especially severe for people from countries with high demand for green cards, such as India and China. Because of the 7% per-country cap, applicants from these countries often wait much longer than others, sometimes over 20 years.
This long wait can cause many problems for immigrants and their families:
- ❓ Uncertainty: People do not know when they will finally get their green cards, making it hard to plan for the future.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family Separation: Long waits can keep families apart, especially when children age out of eligibility.
- 💼 Career Limits: Many immigrants on temporary visas face restrictions on job changes or promotions while waiting for green cards.
- 😟 Mental Stress: The uncertainty and delays can cause anxiety and stress for applicants and their loved ones.
The Dignity Act of 2025 aims to address these issues by offering a way out of the backlog and making the system fairer for everyone.
How Would the $20,000 Premium Processing Work?
Under the Dignity Act of 2025, immigrants who have waited more than ten years in the green card queue could choose to pay a $20,000 premium processing fee. This fee would allow them to move ahead of the standard line and receive their green cards much sooner. The premium route is optional, so those who cannot or do not want to pay can remain in the regular queue.
The bill also proposes to raise the per-country cap from 7% to 15% for both family and employment-based green cards. This change would help reduce the uneven wait times for applicants from high-demand countries, even for those who do not use the premium option.
Practical Examples and Scenarios
Consider an Indian software engineer who has been waiting in the employment-based green card backlog for over 12 years. Under the current system, this person might still have to wait several more years due to the per-country cap. If the Dignity Act of 2025 becomes law, this engineer could pay the $20,000 premium fee and receive a green card much sooner, allowing for greater job flexibility and family stability.
Similarly, a family-based applicant from China who has been separated from loved ones for over a decade could use the premium route to reunite with family members more quickly.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Debate
Supporters of the Dignity Act of 2025 argue that it offers a practical, bipartisan solution to a long-standing problem. By combining a market-based option with fairness, the bill seeks to help those who have waited the longest while also raising country caps to reduce future backlogs.
However, critics worry that the $20,000 fee could create a two-tiered system, favoring wealthier applicants who can afford to pay. Some say this approach may not be fair to those who cannot pay such a large amount. Immigration experts also point out that the bill’s success depends on Congressional approval and how USCIS would manage the new premium route.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Dignity Act of 2025 has sparked debate in Congress and among immigrant communities. Some see it as a much-needed fix, while others question whether it goes far enough to address deeper issues in the immigration system.
Recent USCIS Fee and Processing Changes
In 2024, USCIS increased premium processing fees from $2,500 to $2,805 for forms like I-140 and I-129. Processing times also changed from calendar days to business days, slightly extending how long it takes to get a decision. In addition, the H-1B cap registration fee will rise to $215 starting in March 2025 for the FY 2026 season.
- 📝 USCIS has also expanded premium processing to more petition categories, including EB-1 and EB-2 NIW, giving more applicants the chance to speed up their cases.
- ⏳ However, these changes do not address the green card backlog itself, which is why the Dignity Act of 2025’s premium route is seen as a new and separate solution.
Official Resources and Where to Learn More
For those interested in the details of the Dignity Act of 2025, the official Congress.gov page provides the full text and legislative updates. Applicants can also find information about current premium processing options and fees on the USCIS Form I-907 page.
Immigrants seeking legal advice or updates on the bill can consult with immigration law firms such as De Maio Law and Fragomen, which regularly publish updates and guidance on new immigration policies.
What Happens Next?
The Dignity Act of 2025 must pass both the House and Senate before becoming law. If approved, USCIS would need to set up the new $20,000 premium processing system and update its procedures to handle the fast lane for green cards. Lawmakers will likely debate the fairness, cost, and impact of the bill before any final decision.
Actionable Takeaways for Immigrants and Families
- ✅ Stay Informed: Follow updates on the Dignity Act of 2025 through official government sources and trusted immigration news outlets.
- 📋 Check Eligibility: If you have waited over ten years in the green card backlog, review your options and consider whether the premium route could help you.
- 📋 Consult Professionals: Speak with an immigration lawyer to understand how the bill might affect your case and what steps you can take now.
- 📋 Prepare Documents: Keep your immigration records up to date so you can act quickly if the bill becomes law.
The Dignity Act of 2025 could bring major changes to the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system, offering hope to those stuck in the green card backlog. While the $20,000 premium processing option may not be right for everyone, it represents a new approach to solving a problem that has affected families and workers for decades. As Congress debates the bill, immigrants and their advocates will be watching closely for the next steps.
This Article in a Nutshell
