Goodlatte introduces H-2A reform bill
Goodlatte introduces H-2A reform bill
WASHINGTON -- A new bill that would reform the ailing H-2A agricultural worker program was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) the week of Sept. 19.
"We need a reform of the H-2A program that promotes border security by allowing guest workers to come and go legally -- a reform that will streamline the costly and time-consuming process and establish a fair wage standard. This legislation accomplishes that," said Rep. Goodlatte.
Experts agree that the current guestworker program needs fixing. Workers are subjected to a frustrating process that only encourages more illegal entry, while agriculture employers are forced to either participate in this costly, time-consuming, flawed program, or take the risk of hiring illegal workers, he said.
"While no proposal is perfect, we look forward to working with the chairman and other members of Congress interested in reforming a federal guestworker program that helps all of our members across the country, said Robert Guenther, vice president of public policy for United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association.
United has endorsed Sen. Larry Craig's AgJOBS legislation, which also reforms the H-2A guestworker program by providing an earned adjustment program for undocumented workers currently in the United States.
United has called for lawmakers to take a comprehensive approach to the problem that includes stepped up border security, reform of the H-2A program and a workable plan for the undocumented workers already in the United States.
The bill Rep. Goodlatte proposed would shorten the H-2A application process and maintain the current requirement that employers actively recruit U.S. workers for agricultural jobs. Workers who are in the country illegally would be granted a one-time opportunity to return home and re-enter legally to participate in the H-2A program. The bill also would eliminate the adverse effect wage rate and replace it with a prevailing wage standard.
Some critics of the current H-2A program contend that agriculture would be best served by rewarding the illegal population with an adjustment to legal permanent resident status, an approach Rep. Goodlatte said he opposes. "Granting amnesty would reward the illegal population by making them legal residents in return for coming into the country illegally and breaking our laws, he said.
One thing is certain: Even if Congress passed a bill today to revamp the program, it would give no relief to growers struggling to find workers for the winter season, said Mr. Guenther.
"We need a reform of the H-2A program that promotes border security by allowing guest workers to come and go legally -- a reform that will streamline the costly and time-consuming process and establish a fair wage standard. This legislation accomplishes that," said Rep. Goodlatte.
Experts agree that the current guestworker program needs fixing. Workers are subjected to a frustrating process that only encourages more illegal entry, while agriculture employers are forced to either participate in this costly, time-consuming, flawed program, or take the risk of hiring illegal workers, he said.
"While no proposal is perfect, we look forward to working with the chairman and other members of Congress interested in reforming a federal guestworker program that helps all of our members across the country, said Robert Guenther, vice president of public policy for United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association.
United has endorsed Sen. Larry Craig's AgJOBS legislation, which also reforms the H-2A guestworker program by providing an earned adjustment program for undocumented workers currently in the United States.
United has called for lawmakers to take a comprehensive approach to the problem that includes stepped up border security, reform of the H-2A program and a workable plan for the undocumented workers already in the United States.
The bill Rep. Goodlatte proposed would shorten the H-2A application process and maintain the current requirement that employers actively recruit U.S. workers for agricultural jobs. Workers who are in the country illegally would be granted a one-time opportunity to return home and re-enter legally to participate in the H-2A program. The bill also would eliminate the adverse effect wage rate and replace it with a prevailing wage standard.
Some critics of the current H-2A program contend that agriculture would be best served by rewarding the illegal population with an adjustment to legal permanent resident status, an approach Rep. Goodlatte said he opposes. "Granting amnesty would reward the illegal population by making them legal residents in return for coming into the country illegally and breaking our laws, he said.
One thing is certain: Even if Congress passed a bill today to revamp the program, it would give no relief to growers struggling to find workers for the winter season, said Mr. Guenther.
