The Problem:

This is not a perfect solution — and I won’t pretend that it is. In a perfect world, our immigration system would have prevented millions of people from entering the country illegally in the first place. In a perfect world, every individual who violated our laws to enter the United States would be promptly deported. But that’s not the world we live in today.

We face a difficult reality: millions of undocumented individuals have lived in this country for years — many of them working, paying taxes, raising families, and staying out of trouble. The system has failed to act for too long, and we now face a choice: continue doing nothing, or implement a reasonable solution that balances law, order, and humanity.

The Earned Resident Status Act is that solution. It offers a one-time, nonrenewable opportunity for those who have lived in the U.S. for 5 or more years, maintained a clean record, and paid taxes to come forward, undergo full background checks, and pay a $7,500 fine over three years. This is not amnesty — it is earned accountability.

🔒 Eligibility Cutoff Date:
Only individuals who entered the U.S. on or before January 20, 2025 will be eligible.
Anyone who arrives after this date will be ineligible for this program and will be subject to deportation, regardless of criminal history.

This is a tough but fair compromise that upholds the rule of law while recognizing the contributions and humanity of those who have built lives here peacefully. It ensures consequences, restores integrity, and allows us to finally move forward — together.

How It Will Work:

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Must have lived in the U.S. for 5+ years (as of January 20, 2025)

Clean criminal record (no felonies or major misdemeanors)

Verified history of tax filing and employment

Must pass a full background check

✅ Application Process

Submit application to DHS or local USCIS office

Pay an initial $2,500 within the first year

Pay the remaining $5,000 over the next two years

Appear for biometric processing and interviews

Receive conditional resident status (not full citizenship)

✅ Benefits of Earned Resident Status

Allows recipients to live and work legally in the U.S.

Does not automatically lead to citizenship — must meet separate, stricter criteria for naturalization

Provides work authorization, driver's license access, and protection from deportation

✅ Where the Money Goes

100% of the revenue from fines will go toward border security, immigration court staffing, and improved processing infrastructure

Estimated Impact

There are an estimated 6 to 7 million undocumented immigrants who would qualify under this plan. If just 4 million of them apply:

Revenue from fines: $7,500 × 4,000,000 = $30 billion over 3 years

These funds would provide significant resources to strengthen border enforcement, reduce asylum backlogs, and fund tech-based surveillance systems

Legislative Path

As a state legislator, I will introduce a symbolic resolution in the Iowa House to:

Support the creation of a national Earned Resident Status program

Urge Iowa’s congressional delegation to sponsor and champion this solution federally

Then, I will work with lawmakers across the aisle and across the country to build national momentum. This issue isn’t red or blue — it’s real, and it needs real leadership.

Impact on District 88:

District 88 includes many agricultural, small business, and manufacturing communities that depend on a stable and legal workforce. This policy will protect hardworking immigrants, support local economies, reduce underground labor exploitation, and generate billions to reinvest in secure, orderly immigration enforcement.