Republican John Duarte ‘comfortable’ with word amnesty, defends backing immigration act

Rep. John Duarte, one of the most vulnerable Republicans seeking reelection, vigorously defended his support of a bipartisan bill that would provide undocumented residents a path to legal status during an appearance on a Fresno talk radio station Monday afternoon.

The Modesto nurseryman faces former Assemblymember Adam Gray in a repeat of the 2022 race that Duarte won by less than 600 votes in the 13th Congressional District.

“I call myself immigration fluid, so I’m on the Dream Act and I’m on the Dignity Act,” said Duarte, whose district leans Democrat by 14 points and is Latino majority.

“The Dignity Act would be a comprehensive immigration bill that would solve a lot of problems. It would have, if you want to call it, an amnesty. I’m comfortable with the word,” said Duarte.

Duarte said parts of the act might not survive the compromise necessary to push a comprehensive immigration bill, but are necessary in the legislative process.

“There’s people who’ve been living and working here in America, in California, here in the Central Valley, in our communities for decades,” said Duarte. They “are simply a reality in our workforce and our communities.”

“I would like to get them a legal presence here in America.”

The Dignity Act, introduced in May by Florida Republican Elvira Salazar, would authorize $25 billion through fiscal year 2031 to complete “an impenetrable border infrastructure wall. It’s 13 cosponsors – seven Democrats and six Republicans – included David Valadao, R-Hanford.

A portion of the act would allow undocumented immigrants to earn legal status if they pass a criminal background check, pay back any taxes owed. They would be required to obtain health coverage, be gainfully employed and pay $5,000 over the seven years of the program. Those who do not apply for the program would be asked to leave the country.

Another portion of the act would create the Certified Agricultural Worker status for undocumented ag workers who have logged at least 180 days in the last two years in agricultural work. After a certain period of time, they would be eligible to apply for legal status.

The Dignity Act could allow up to 1.9 million Dreamers, including about 600,000 DACA recipients, to live and work legally in the U.S. and eventually be eligible for permanent residency.

It would force employers to verify a potential worker is not an undocumented immigrant. The new verification system would become mandatory for most employers within 24 months, but extended to 30 months for agricultural employers.

It would also require the U.S. to adjudicate most asylum claims made at the border within 60 days, and keep individuals in custody while they wait for a final ruling on their claim.

Duarte, who engaged Power Talk 96.7 FM host Trevor Carey for about 20 minutes, said the current immigration system in untenable.

“I’ve got Mexican mayors calling me and saying, ‘John, people want the border secure,’” said Duarte.

Latinos in the Central Valley, he said, are asking “Why are these guys coming across the border, paying the cartels and getting asylum work visas when people who’ve been in here in California, living in our communities for decades and trying to do it legally are not getting the same treatment?’”

Duarte’s district stretches from Stockton to Coalinga, and includes portions of Fresno, Merced, Madera, Stanislaus and San Joaquín counties.