Farmersville becomes latest Central Valley city to back bipartisan Dignity Act

FARMERSVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Advocates for the Dignity Act continued their push for approval Monday, earning a vote of support from the Farmersville City Council.

Led by U.S. Reps. María Salazar of Florida and Veronica Escobar of Texas, the bipartisan Dignity Act seeks to reform legal status and border security. The proposal would offer immigrants a renewable seven-year legal status and work authorization.

Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran, joined by leaders of the Nisei Farmers League, presented the resolution to the council. With the vote, Farmersville became the sixth city council in the Central Valley to express support for the measure.

"We want to show our federal government that there is support, and there is a movement here in California," Beltran said.

The discussion drew comments from city leaders and community members, many of whom shared personal experiences related to immigration and work opportunities.

"My mother was a single mother doing everything she could do to raise her children. She wasn't asking for a handout. She was asking for the opportunity to work," Araceli said.

The meeting took place amid a spike in incidents involving federal immigration agents. Two men were killed in a six-day period by ICE officers, and officials said neither man was the officers' intended target.

The proposed legislation also faced criticism during the discussion. Some speakers argued the program would be too costly for immigrants, noting participants would be required to pay $1,000 annually for the seven-year program.

Others criticized the bill for failing to provide a direct pathway to citizenship.

"Lawyer fees, immigration fees, other fees that are hidden that are not on this bill, that will affect the livelihoods of the people applying for this program," Adriana said.

Supporters acknowledged those concerns and said changes could be made as the legislation advances through the legislative process.

"Bring them to the table. Hey, what do you want to see different? Don't just deny it. Tell me what you want to see different that will help get the support," Beltran said.

Beltran says supporters plan to make similar presentations to the Fresno and Clovis city councils in the near future.

The Dignity Act is currently pending review before it can proceed to a full vote in the House of Representatives.

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