Pro-Trump influencers and advocates of mass deportations are livid with a group of Republicans pushing an immigration reform bill they consider a mass amnesty and have put its proponents on defense with a barrage of online criticism.

Led by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats have rallied behind the “Dignity Act,” which they have billed as an alternative to an amnesty and a more realistic solution to illegal immigration than mass deportations. The bill itself is not new, but Salazar’s renewed push for the bill comes amid intense frustration from some corners of MAGA with the Iran war, and their patience for policy reversals appears to be wearing thin.

Defining "amnesty"

The bill is officially called the “Dignidad Act” and uses the Spanish word in the text of the bill. Under the bill, illegal immigrants who arrived before 2021 would be eligible to secure work authorization and deportation protections, while barring eligibility for federal benefits. It does not create a path to citizenship, but does permit many illegal aliens to secure the ability to remain in the U.S. legally. Republican border hawks, however, say that any provision letting illegal aliens remain legally amounts to amnesty.

“‘Amnesty,’ in the immigration context, refers to any law or policy that gives illegal immigrants the right to remain in the U.S.—in spite of, and in many ways because of, their illegal status,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on X. “That’s exactly what the Dignity Act would do.”

“There is indeed a pathway to citizenship under existing law. We shouldn’t create a special, expedited pathway exclusively for those who have entered the U.S. illegally,” he added. “That’s not ‘dignity’; it’s an insult to those who faithfully follow the law while trying to get here.”

“The Dignity Act is mass amnesty and would constitute a terrible betrayal of our voters,” Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, posted this week.

An angry Salazar responded, saying “calling the DIGNITY Act ‘amnesty’ isn’t just wrong. It’s a deliberate distortion and it exposes just how little you know about the bill. This is enforcement first: zero tolerance for criminals, permanent border security, and hard, earned requirements to step forward and face the law, so American workers are protected, not undercut.”

But conservative media figures are not buying what Salazar is saying. The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh, for instance, quipped to Salazar that “I don't know what's more insulting. This shitty bill or the fact that you're using ChatGPT to write your posts.”

“So you’re pushing amnesty, and you’re now attempting language gymnastics to cynically cover it up,” asked Gabe Guidarini, a TPUSA activist.

"Amnesty for illegals is out of bounds" says one GOP group

“You couldn’t be anymore wrong, Elvira,” wrote former Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino responded. “The Dignity Act gives amnesty to ILLEGAL ALIENS who rob, maim and kill Americans while filling our jails, schools and hospitals.  You are another one of THOSE who support ILLEGAL ALIENS over American citizens.  Check yourself.”

One prominent Republican organization, the New York Young Republican Club, went so far as to suggest removing Salazar from the party.

“GOP House Rep. Maria Salazar needs to be stripped of leadership roles and given a dressing down by House Republicans,” the group said. “Her support for giving amnesty (legal status and work rights!) to up to 45 million illegal immigrants should disqualify her from ever running on the GOP ticket again. If Republicans want to get serious about winning, we need standards for who we allow in the GOP. Amnesty for illegals is out of bounds and it's time for some party discipline. Enough.”

Among the other prominent proponents of the bill is Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who attempted to defend the bill this week during an appearance on Fox News. That instance saw Ingraham and Lawler quarrel over how immigration officers would determine eligibility to remain in the U.S. under the Dignity Act.

“Dignity Act = Treason” wrote Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., in response to a post showing Lawler’s exchange with Laura Ingraham.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.