Approximately 15% of workers in the agriculture industry are immigrants without legal status. As a result, the recent crackdown on illegal immigration under the Trump administration has created a “labor crisis” within American agriculture.
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, over 300 agriculture groups requested federal assistance in remedying the labor shortage and lack of stability currently plaguing the agricultural industry, which they claimed would benefit “the U.S. economy as a whole.” On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would grant legal status to thousands of undocumented farmworkers with a bipartisan vote of 260 to 165.
While the bill’s future in the Senate is unclear, this particular piece of legislation is notable for its support from both Democrats and Republicans and for the useful pathway it seeks to establish.
One House contributor (D) stated:
“Undocumented workers now comprise about half of the farm workforce. But they are living and working in a state of uncertainty and fear, which contributes to the destabilization of farms across the nation.”
H.R. 5038 – Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 seeks to address and help solve this problem.
Passed in the House on Dec. 11, the bill’s supporters include:
- American Agri-Women
- American Beekeeping Federation
- American Mushroom Institute
- American Seed Trade Association
- Chobani
- Clif Bar & Company
- Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
- Driscoll’s
- Fruit Growers Marketing Association
- Sunkist Growers
- United Egg Producers
- Wine America
- And countless other companies and organizations responsible for our fruit, vegetable, dairy, and food/beverage production
In the United States, immigration has frequently been a contentious issue. Many bills creating bridges to citizenship have made it through the House, only to face difficulties in the Senate.
Keep in Touch
For updates on H.R. 5038 and other legislation surrounding American immigration, stay tuned on our blog.
If you need immigration assistance in Coral Springs, please contact Guerra Sáenz, PL by calling (888) 936-3228 or scheduling an initial consultation online.
Each of our attorneys has personal experience with the immigration process. Further, Attorney Guerra has handled over 1,000 immigration cases and is board certified in immigration and nationality law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization and Education.
We look forward to helping you assert your rights and achieve your dreams.
Start with a phone call to (888) 936-3228 and begin your journey towards U.S. citizenship today!
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