Ag labor bill needs guestworker reform, employers say

A new Democratic bill to give legal status to illegal immigrant farmworkers is positive but lacks any foreign guestworker reform, says Michael Marsh, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers.

The Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019, H.R. 641, was introduced in the House, Jan. 17, by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., with a companion bill in the Senate by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Farmworkers who have worked in agriculture at least 100 days in the past two years, pass background checks and pay a fine could obtain blue card legal work status. Those who maintain that status for three to five years, depending on hours worked in agriculture, would be eligible to adjust to lawful permanent residency or green card status.

A dozen senators and 61 House members support the bills. All are Democrats. Supporters include Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, all of Oregon. Another backer is Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.