 |
|
|
|
Posted by:
The powerful U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is beginning its third week considering S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. In the House of Representatives, a bipartisan negotiating group has announced a “meeting of the minds” on its own comprehensive immigration framework. And, on May 16, a House Judiciary subcommittee held hearings on an E-Verify bill as well as an agricultural guest worker proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by:
On May 9, the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The bill, a product of months of careful bipartisan negotiation, seeks to establish a 21st Century immigration system worthy of the United States of America. It is a lengthy and detailed bill covering border security, future legal immigration, expanded visa programs for industries ranging from agriculture to high tech, and a tough but fair process for unauthorized immigrants to earn legal status over time.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by:
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) has introduced his own E-Verify and agricultural reform bills, and plans hearings for mid-May. The ag bill, known as the Agricultural Guestworker Act, is quite different from the employer/Farmworker agreement that has been added to S.744, the Senate’s comprehensive immigration bill. While it has a few attractive features, and would relieve farmers of some burdens like housing that have long been part of the H-2A program, it does not present a two-part solution to address current needs and future challenges.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by:
S.744, the Senate’s immigration reform bill, would provide far-reaching reforms for the agricultural sector, including nurseries and greenhouses. The agricultural section of the bill represents an historic agreement among agricultural worker and employer advocates, including ANLA. The “AgJOBS” section has two provisions, intended to address near-term as well as longer-term needs. For the near term, the bill would allow experienced but unauthorized farm workers to obtain temporary legal status known as a “blue card” if they pass a background check, pay a symbolic fine, and commit to continuing to work in agriculture for several years. Those who complete the process may become eligible to apply for residency (green card) status in five to seven years.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by:
On April 17th, the Senate “Gang of Eight” introduced its comprehensive immigration reform legislation entitled, “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The legislation includes provisions on border security; the creation of a new “W-Visa” program for jobs in industries like hospitality, construction, and food processing; a new agricultural worker program, a mandatory E-verify system, changes to the existing H-2B Program; and a broad legalization of unauthorized immigrants.
|
|
|
