The National Restaurant Association announced its support on May 29 for the Dignity Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that aims to address the current immigration system and enhance border security.
According to the association, immigration is a fundamental component of the restaurant and foodservice industry, with more than one in five workers being immigrants. The industry employs over 15.7 million people across more than one million locations and faces ongoing workforce shortages as it continues to grow. By 2036, restaurants are projected to add 1.6 million jobs—an increase of about 11 percent—while the overall U.S. labor force is expected to grow by less than four percent during a similar period.
Sean Kennedy, chief advocacy officer for the National Restaurant Association, said, “Immigration reform is not abstract policy for the restaurant industry—it is the foundation of a strong restaurant workforce and a thriving U.S. economy.” Kennedy continued, “Protecting today’s employees, modernizing visa programs, and building a forward-looking system will help the restaurant industry grow, create jobs, and continue serving as cultural and economic anchors in every community.”
The association outlined three core principles it believes should be included in comprehensive immigration reform: protecting Dreamers and existing employees under temporary programs; building an immigration system that meets future labor demands; and fixing work visa systems. The Dignity Act proposes pathways to lawful permanent residency for Dreamers, overhauls asylum processes, creates opportunities for long-term undocumented residents to earn legal status through its Dignity Program, provides long-term adoption of E-Verify with safe harbor provisions for employers, and seeks solutions accessible to small business owners.
Kennedy said further reforms are needed: “The restaurant industry needs immigration policy solutions that work in the real world, and the Dignity Act is a great start in that direction.” He added appreciation for Representatives María Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), who introduced this legislation along with their co-sponsors.
In addition to supporting measures within the Dignity Act itself, the association advocates creating new work visa programs such as Essential Workers for Economic Advancement visas; exempting returning workers from annual H-2B caps; and streamlining application processes. The National Restaurant Association enhances community development through economic contributions while representing restaurants nationwide via partnerships with state associations. It advances industry interests through advocacy at all levels of government, according to its official website.
