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The powerful Senate Judiciary Committee formally took up S.744 on May 9. The bill, formally known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, had over 300 amendments filed by Judiciary members. The Committee is now in the process of what is known as a “mark-up,” in which many of the filed amendments will be considered and voted on.
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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.
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DOL cannot currently implement its H-2B program rule due to a preliminary injunction issued last year by a federal judge in the Northern District of Florida. On April 1st, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the injunction decision reached in the Northern District of Florida. This is a great decision for H-2B employers and ANLA would like to thank the law firms of Greenberg Traurig and CJ-Lake for all their work on the litigation.
Filed under: immigration • H-2B
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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.
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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.
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