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The Nisei Farmers League’s Dignity Act T-shirts, shown at right, were worn by supporters at the Farmersville City Council meeting Monday, July 13. At left is a public art structure in Farmersville, incorporated in 1960.
published on July 20, 2026 – 5:15 PM
Written by Frank Lopez
The Farmersville City Council last week approved a resolution supporting the federal Dignity Act, becoming the latest Central Valley city to endorse the immigration reform proposal as the Nisei Farmers League continues its campaign to build local government support across California.
The Dignity Act, introduced in Congress by U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, would strengthen border security, reform the asylum system and create a legal status for certain long-term undocumented immigrants without providing a direct pathway to U.S. citizenship. The legislation has not been enacted.
Under the proposal, undocumented immigrants who have lived continuously in the United States since before Dec. 31, 2020, could apply for a renewable seven-year legal status and work authorization. Participants would be required to pass background checks, pay taxes and pay $7,000 in restitution over the seven-year period.
According to Nisei Farmers League President Manuel Cunha, Farmersville joins Avenal, Fowler, Huron, Kerman and Parlier in approving resolutions supporting the legislation. The organization is working to secure additional endorsements from cities throughout California.
“Mayors have never really signed onto an immigration bill,” Cunha said. “Restaurants and hotels are supportive. We have over 100 that have signed on nationally.”
Cunha said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer has expressed interest in supporting the legislation. He added that the Nisei Farmers League has contacted more than 160 mayors across California as it expands its outreach campaign.
Professional boxer and Avenal native Jose Ramirez has also publicly supported the Dignity Act, Cunha said.
The organization’s next targets include Madera, Delano, Firebaugh, Orange Cove and Chowchilla before expanding its efforts to coastal communities.
A key provision of the legislation would require employers nationwide to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm that newly hired employees are authorized to work in the United States.
Cunha said he supports mandatory E-Verify, but only if Congress first approves broader immigration reform that provides legal status for longtime undocumented workers.
“If we have an immigration program, we can give all of these people the ability to work, travel and be part of society,” Cunha said. “That will stop a tremendous amount of the activity coming across illegally by the coyotes.”
He said businesses would need time to adapt to a nationwide E-Verify requirement.
“The business sector needs to reach out to its congressional leaders and tell them to support the Dignity Act,” Cunha said. “We must have something in Congress that addresses all industries.”