U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation that could pave the way for more than 8 million undocumented immigrants to obtain lawful permanent resident status, challenging what he calls the “cruel scapegoating” of immigrants under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Unveiled during a press conference in Los Angeles alongside immigration advocates and impacted families, Padilla’s “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” seeks to modernize the Registry statute in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for the first time in nearly 40 years. If passed, the bill would allow individuals who have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least seven years, meet background check requirements, and are otherwise eligible to apply for a Green Card.
“If you’ve lived here for over seven years, paid taxes, contributed to your community, and have no criminal record, you deserve a pathway to legalization,” said Senator Padilla. “It’s a matter of basic fairness.”
Countering Mass Deportations and Raids
The legislation comes in direct response to intensified immigration enforcement during the Trump administration, which Padilla and other Democratic leaders say has traumatized immigrant families, particularly in California. Among those present at the announcement was Alejandro Barranco, whose father was recently detained and allegedly beaten by masked CBP agents in Orange County.
“My father was violently detained simply for doing the work that makes this country great,” Barranco said. “This bill gives hope to millions of families like mine.”
A Rolling Cutoff Date for Eligibility
Currently, the INA’s registry date is locked at January 1, 1972, meaning only immigrants who have lived in the U.S. since then can apply for permanent residency through this path. Padilla’s bill would not only move the date forward to reflect today’s reality but would also make the cutoff date rolling, eliminating the need for future legislative updates.
The bill is co-led in the Senate by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and in the House by Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). It is co-sponsored by several other Democrats, including Senators Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.
“We need a straightforward reform solution for those who have lived here peacefully for years,” said Rep. Lofgren. “This bill is historically bipartisan and long overdue.”
Economic and Social Impact
Supporters of the legislation cite data from FWD.us, which estimates that legalizing the undocumented individuals covered by the bill could generate $121 billion in economic contributions and $35 billion in tax revenue annually.
The bill includes protections for Dreamers, TPS holders, essential workers, and H-1B visa holders who have faced long wait times in the legal immigration process.
Backing from Labor and Advocacy Groups
Major advocacy organizations, including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), have endorsed the legislation.
“If you trust us to build your homes and care for your families, why not trust us to be part of the American dream?” asked CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas.
Padilla’s Ongoing Advocacy
Senator Padilla has made immigration reform a cornerstone of his legislative work, previously introducing the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act and the VISIBLE Act, which would require immigration enforcement officers to wear visible identification during public operations.
As the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Padilla continues to advocate for comprehensive reforms that provide security for immigrants and stability for the nation’s workforce.
