At a time of great political tension over immigration policies, a group of Democratic congressmen introduced a bill in 2025 that could change the lives of hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Gabe Vasquez, a Democrat from New Mexico, presented the proposal called “Strengthening Our Workforce”, which seeks to grant a two-year conditional status to undocumented workers in critical sectors -health, agriculture and emergencies- so that they can then apply for legal permanent residency (green card).
According to Vasquez, the goal is to provide stability to those who sustain the economy with their efforts: “People who work hard, follow the rules and play a vital role in our economy should not have to live in fear of being deported.
Main project requirements
According to the legislative text, eligible immigrants must comply with the following:
Have been present in the U.S. since January 1, 2024.
Work in one of the critical industries covered by the law.
Maintain 100 days of annual employment in those areas for two consecutive years.
Have been employed for at least 100 days prior to applying for status.
Pay a fine and demonstrate compliance.
After meeting these requirements, applicants could obtain a green card.
Support and opposition in Congress
Buzzy
The proposal has the support of Democratic congressmen such as Juan Vargas (California), Nydia Velázquez (New York), Delia Ramírez (Illinois) and Angie Craig (Minnesota).
However, it will face strong obstacles in Congress, especially from the Republican opposition, which has aligned itself with Donald Trump’s more restrictive immigration agenda.
For its advocates, the measure seeks to strengthen essential industries that have suffered from labor shortages.
This is due to mass deportations and the fear that many immigrants feel of being detained.
Congressman Vargas, the son of Mexican immigrants, warned, “Immigrants make our country strong. It is time to fix a broken system and provide dignified pathways to citizenship.”
Current context in 2025
The initiative comes in the midst of Trump’s anti-immigrant offensive since his return to power, marked by massive raids and changes in naturalization processes.
The uncertainty has generated fear in working families who have been in the country for decades and are now afraid to send their children to school or go to their jobs.
Los inmigrantes fortalecen a nuestro país
Juan Vargas
If passed, this law would represent one of the most direct pathways to permanent residency for thousands of undocumented immigrants.
They have sustained agriculture, hospitals and emergency services during the country’s most difficult times.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
