Bipartisan bill introduced by Newhouse aims to reform federal agricultural workers program

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on March 3 proposed a bipartisan bill that would reform the federal H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers program, which allows U.S. employers or agents who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to America to fill temporary agricultural jobs. 

“American agriculture is desperately in need of a legal, reliable workforce,” Rep. Newhouse said. “The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a solution — negotiated in good faith by agriculture groups, labor representatives, and Members on both sides of the aisle — that will do just that.” 

Rep. Newhouse introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, H.R. 1537, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for terms and conditions for nonimmigrant workers performing agricultural labor or services, according to the text of the 229-page bill.  

If enacted, H.R. 1537 would establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status and would reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring worker protections, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Newhouse’s office. 

For instance, H.R. 1537 focuses on H-2A program modifications to ensure it is more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides program access for industries with year-round labor needs, the summary says.

Additionally, the bill would establish a mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system, according to the summary.

“As one of only a few farmers in Congress, I understand the invaluable contributions our producers and farmworkers make to our nation’s unparalleled agriculture industry,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Bringing our agriculture labor program into the 21st century is absolutely critical as we work to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and ensure a stable food supply chain in the United States. 

“We must act now to provide certainty to farmers, ranchers and farmworkers across the country,” he said.

The bill has been endorsed by the Washington Apple Commission, the Northwest Horticultural Council, the Washington State Potato Commission, Hop Growers of America, the Washington Winegrowers Association, and Darigold Inc.

First introduced during the 116th Congress, when the measure received approval from the U.S. House of Representatives, the bill gained support from more than 300 organizations.