109 HR 884 IH: Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-02-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Title I—Adjustment to Lawful Status
Sec. 101. Agricultural workers.
Sec. 102. Correction of Social Security records.
Title II—Reform of H–2A Worker Program
Sec. 201. Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Title III—Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 301. Determination and use of user fees.
Sec. 302. Regulations.
Sec. 303. Effective date.
2.In this Act:
(1)The term agricultural employment means any service or activity that is considered to be agricultural under section 3(f) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)) or agricultural labor under section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3121(g)). For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural employment includes employment under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).
(2)The term employer means any person or entity, including any farm labor contractor and any agricultural association, that employs workers in agricultural employment.
(3)The term job opportunity means a job opening for temporary full-time employment at a place in the United States to which United States workers can be referred.
(4)The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(5)A worker is employed on a temporary
basis where the employment is intended not to exceed 10 months.
(6)The term United States worker means any worker, whether a United States citizen or national, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, or any other alien, who is authorized to work in the job opportunity within the United States, except an alien admitted or otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).
(7)The term work day means any day in which the individual is employed 1 or more hours in agriculture consistent with the definition of man-day
under section 3(u) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(u)).
<enum>I</enum><header>Adjustment to Lawful Status</header>
<section id="H76706FC04C4D4C2AB04DD16D2D5E216"><enum>101.</enum><header>Agricultural workers</header>
<subsection id="H8ECA33649BE24451ADDA64E842E86C41"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Temporary resident status</header>
<paragraph id="H6F0E052F3C6D4DC9A3E2350000657181"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall confer upon an alien who qualifies under this subsection the status of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence if the Secretary determines that the alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7E2A16513E5A4D098166A9FA6DB1EE1D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at least 575 hours or 100 work days, whichever is less, during any 12 consecutive months during the 18-month period ending on December 31, 2004;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6272957F71C044E48B7178E51B858500"><enum>(B)</enum><text>applied for such status during the 18-month application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB4D45B4FAC3145EA9530176DEF17FD77"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is otherwise admissible to the United States under section 212 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182</external-xref>), except as otherwise provided under subsection (e)(2).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFD230B6D437B4530BD5696EE18021544"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authorized travel</header><text>During the period an alien is in lawful temporary resident status granted under this subsection, the alien has the right to travel abroad (including commutation from a residence abroad) in the same manner as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6A6B1AF28ABD4D498E5C15A45BA584D4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorized employment</header><text>During the period an alien is in lawful temporary resident status granted under this subsection, the alien shall be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or other appropriate work permit, in the same manner as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE4F4082973FA4C1AAA7D86D468DB734D"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Termination of temporary resident status</header>
<subparagraph id="H715C83FF91B3478289B9FBD78B8FF895"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>During the period of temporary resident status granted an alien under this subsection, the Secretary may terminate such status only upon a determination under this Act that the alien is deportable.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD7CC5F4DBA0F4C589F78513508E26058"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Grounds for termination of temporary resident status</header><text>Before any alien becomes eligible for adjustment of status under subsection (c), the Secretary may deny adjustment to permanent resident status and provide for termination of the temporary resident status granted such alien under paragraph (1) if—</text>
<clause id="H6421E00C47F1476C8EFDF243C62CF4F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Secretary finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the adjustment to temporary resident status was the result of fraud or willful misrepresentation (as described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)</external-xref>); or</text></clause>
<clause id="H6E4991334AC24A4B9FAE82226638419B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the alien—</text>
<subclause id="H1638BCC56DDA409E97ACB1C8A2827436"><enum>(I)</enum><text>commits an act that makes the alien inadmissible to the United States as an immigrant, except as provided under subsection (e)(2); or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HC6B9E82EA28941D9862DD3A9D300036"><enum>(II)</enum><text>is convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors committed in the United States.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H591E24047A6948E8A013F8490753AB61"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Record of employment</header>
<subparagraph id="HB12073B184DB44C9AE7B413E00DA46DC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each employer of a worker granted status under this subsection shall annually—</text>
<clause id="H5DCE016DCE264C5CBEB341C8B161CD60"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provide a written record of employment to the alien; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H292BD2A98A014229A2C42F75362C604F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provide a copy of such record to the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAF4FB2E883D7452BB63975464F38D8C4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Sunset</header><text>The obligation under subparagraph (A) shall terminate on the date that is 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF49C062174884065A3F82CBBD564700"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rights of aliens granted temporary resident status</header>
<paragraph id="HA074C08BE9254470B2B0E9B76C2E98D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an alien who acquires the status of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence under subsection (a), such status not having changed, shall be considered to be an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for purposes of any law other than any provision of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9B48B08F29A945408592F244D853B2ED"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Delayed eligibility for certain Federal public benefits</header><text>An alien who acquires the status of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence under subsection (a) as described in paragraph (1) shall not be eligible, by reason of such acquisition of that status, for any form of assistance or benefit described in section 403(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1613">8 U.S.C. 1613(a)</external-xref>) until 5 years after the date on which the Secretary confers temporary resident status upon that alien under subsection (a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDBB6DF2D751D49DF9936F900D561BE3D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Terms of employment respecting aliens admitted under this section</header>
<subparagraph id="H02CF411C6397438F90339313005EDD57"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) may be terminated from employment by any employer during the period of temporary resident status except for just cause.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE199DFCA3C2F45E2B16695ABB89FBDE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Treatment of complaints</header>
<clause id="HA273019C86894F72969FD976F9ADEC3D"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Establishment of process</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a process for the receipt, initial review, and disposition in accordance with this subparagraph of complaints by aliens granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) who allege that they have been terminated without just cause. No proceeding shall be conducted under this subparagraph with respect to a termination unless the Secretary determines that the complaint was filed not later than 6 months after the date of the termination.</text></clause>
<clause id="H5F216731C2D74389A8CF7BD7F772D483"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Initiation of arbitration</header><text>If the Secretary finds that a complaint has been filed in accordance with clause (i) and there is reasonable cause to believe that the complainant was terminated without just cause, the Secretary shall initiate binding arbitration proceedings by requesting the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to appoint a mutually agreeable arbitrator from the roster of arbitrators maintained by such Service for the geographical area in which the employer is located. The procedures and rules of such Service shall be applicable to the selection of such arbitrator and to such arbitration proceedings. The Secretary shall pay the fee and expenses of the arbitrator, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose.</text></clause>
<clause id="HC03E043281F1495B00590032E84847ED"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Arbitration proceedings</header><text>The arbitrator shall conduct the proceeding in accordance with the policies and procedures promulgated by the American Arbitration Association applicable to private arbitration of employment disputes. The arbitrator shall make findings respecting whether the termination was for just cause. The arbitrator may not find that the termination was for just cause unless the employer so demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence. If the arbitrator finds that the termination was not for just cause, the arbitrator shall make a specific finding of the number of days or hours of work lost by the employee as a result of the termination. The arbitrator shall have no authority to order any other remedy, including, but not limited to, reinstatement, back pay, or front pay to the affected employee. Within 30 days from the conclusion of the arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator shall transmit the findings in the form of a written opinion to the parties to the arbitration and the Secretary. Such findings shall be final and conclusive, and no official or court of the United States shall have the power or jurisdiction to review any such findings.</text></clause>
<clause id="H77050F0C0FC24DC89910E7E88FA2FF96"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Effect of arbitration findings</header><text>If the Secretary receives a finding of an arbitrator that an employer has terminated an alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) without just cause, the Secretary shall credit the alien for the number of days or hours of work lost for purposes of the requirement of subsection (c)(1).</text></clause>
<clause id="H749F1897F4914B5B80E7EDB5ABD3052F"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Treatment of attorney’s fees</header><text>The parties shall bear the cost of their own attorney’s fees involved in the litigation of the complaint.</text></clause>
<clause id="H597EFE744CFC48F8AFC788D900B1BB97"><enum>(vi)</enum><header>Nonexclusive remedy</header><text>The complaint process provided for in this subparagraph is in addition to any other rights an employee may have in accordance with applicable law.</text></clause>
<clause id="H11D82F0F87054DAB8CF107E53457A27E"><enum>(vii)</enum><header>Effect on other actions or proceedings</header><text>Any finding of fact or law, judgment, conclusion, or final order made by an arbitrator in the proceeding before the Secretary shall not be conclusive or binding in any separate or subsequent action or proceeding between the employee and the employee’s current or prior employer brought before an arbitrator, administrative agency, court, or judge of any State or the United States, regardless of whether the prior action was between the same or related parties or involved the same facts, except that the arbitrator’s specific finding of the number of days or hours of work lost by the employee as a result of the employment termination may be referred to the Secretary pursuant to clause (iv).</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9AD2EFB95FE146EE8E906432E452BE11"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Civil penalties</header>
<clause id="H652320E53AD24602BCCA8139BBB932E8"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that an employer of an alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) has failed to provide the record of employment required under subsection (a)(5) or has provided a false statement of material fact in such a record, the employer shall be subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation.</text></clause>
<clause id="H21B315F9667143CAB8DD158EE76612EE"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The penalty applicable under clause (i) for failure to provide records shall not apply unless the alien has provided the employer with evidence of employment authorization granted under this section.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7FBF0887A0C6437F91DCD2DBC27F72B3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Adjustment to permanent residence</header>
<paragraph id="HCA2241E3A5994C03A7A7C901973800F2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Agricultural workers</header>
<subparagraph id="HB203078FC90C4A378D3FFD6100146203"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall adjust the status of an alien granted lawful temporary resident status under subsection (a) to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the Secretary determines that the following requirements are satisfied:</text>
<clause id="H021CF008D07141D58CF69F866B4DCD7B"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Qualifying employment</header><text>The alien has performed at least 360 work days or 2,060 hours, but in no case less than 2,060 hours, of agricultural employment in the United States, during the 6-year period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></clause>
<clause id="H3CA35E1988114C0D9E5EFAD36C5B127"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Qualifying years</header><text>The alien has performed at least 75 work days or 430 hours, but in no case less than 430 hours, of agricultural employment in the United States in at least 3 nonoverlapping periods of 12 consecutive months during the 6-year period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. Qualifying periods under this clause may include nonconsecutive 12-month periods.</text></clause>
<clause id="HA1D4F8043BD940F3AF638F57E03B7EA2"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Qualifying work in first 3 years</header><text>The alien has performed at least 240 work days or 1,380 hours, but in no case less than 1,380 hours, of agricultural employment during the 3-year period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></clause>
<clause id="HC1484BE6604C4FE5A7DBF56ECA1BA8A3"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Application period</header><text>The alien applies for adjustment of status not later than 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></clause>
<clause id="H6BA569C109BD43F9A7B1C5C6907902FD"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Proof</header><text>In meeting the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), an alien may submit the record of employment described in subsection (a)(5) or such documentation as may be submitted under subsection (d)(3).</text></clause>
<clause id="HC0B9C72EBC114AC2B42B59BCF800DCEF"><enum>(vi)</enum><header>Disability</header><text>In determining whether an alien has met the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the Secretary shall credit the alien with any work days lost because the alien was unable to work in agricultural employment due to injury or disease arising out of and in the course of the alien’s agricultural employment, if the alien can establish such disabling injury or disease through medical records.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8C2806E35BEF46DCA9421C6156C23238"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Grounds for denial of adjustment of status</header><text>The Secretary may deny an alien adjustment to permanent resident status, and provide for termination of the temporary resident status granted such alien under subsection (a), if—</text>
<clause id="HFD6E47CD16EC45D7B2ECBB8F36D3B500"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Secretary finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the adjustment to temporary resident status was the result of fraud or willful misrepresentation, as described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)</external-xref>); or</text></clause>
<clause id="H021FEBB565364B5C87693DDFE176A31E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the alien—</text>
<subclause id="H86EA9445455A49F98D7DFAE8EF003389"><enum>(I)</enum><text>commits an act that makes the alien inadmissible to the United States under section 212 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182</external-xref>), except as provided under subsection (e)(2); or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H2C75581F5E6F4D72A7C7606F8EFE00F5"><enum>(II)</enum><text>is convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors committed in the United States.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDB408F51A45E402D0031052790D834B4"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Grounds for removal</header><text>Any alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) who does not apply for adjustment of status under this subsection before the expiration of the application period described in subparagraph (A)(iv), or who fails to meet the other requirements of subparagraph (A) by the end of the applicable period, is deportable and may be removed under section 240 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1229a">8 U.S.C. 1229a</external-xref>). The Secretary shall issue regulations establishing grounds to waive subparagraph (A)(iii) with respect to an alien who has completed at least 200 days of the work requirement specified in such subparagraph in the event of a natural disaster which substantially limits the availability of agricultural employment or a personal emergency that prevents compliance with such subparagraph.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE5597DE92AA14BDC84F312AE5F2CCF85"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Spouses and minor children</header>
<subparagraph id="H1123039537C74DE7B1A211EA7BF34244"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall confer the status of lawful permanent resident on the spouse and minor child of an alien granted status under paragraph (1), including any individual who was a minor child on the date such alien was granted temporary resident status, if the spouse or minor child applies for such status, or if the principal alien includes the spouse or minor child in an application for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF5FDE5CCB25B4DCAB6D80006477E655F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Treatment of spouses and minor children before adjustment of status</header><text>A spouse and minor child of an alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) may not be—</text>
<clause id="H70C21764635D4C5BBB38C8BCEDDFE00"><enum>(i)</enum><text>removed while such alien maintains such status, except as provided in subparagraph (C); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H16B11CF49D6448B300659800728D9F95"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>granted authorization to engage in employment in the United States or be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or other work permit, unless such employment authorization is granted under another provision of law.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5507CE38B431485F8900304B4EF8B7DC"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Grounds for denial of adjustment of status and removal</header><text>The Secretary may deny an alien spouse or child adjustment of status under subparagraph (A) and may remove such spouse or child under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1229a">8 U.S.C. 1229a</external-xref>) if the spouse or child—</text>
<clause id="H53BDCE0FD1664A28AC37E6D9C240D69F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>commits an act that makes the alien spouse or child inadmissible to the United States under section 212 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182</external-xref>), except as provided under subsection (e)(2); or</text></clause>
<clause id="HE17B00E6C20C48BA00294B344BC2D16E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors committed in the United States.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD21CF68EB5884719B2BEFB7800BDA1F2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Applications</header>
<paragraph id="H226A6A36C1AF429CA8C9008CDC02009F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>To whom may be made</header>
<subparagraph id="HA396DBBCFF7F4A2E8312E0296DAF31CD"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Within the United States</header><text>The Secretary shall provide that—</text>
<clause id="H7CC7444371EE41818F23C600E181AA4F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>applications for temporary resident status under subsection (a) may be filed—</text>
<subclause id="H663237FDDBAB496C8796FA9EE63EE89"><enum>(I)</enum><text>with the Secretary, but only if the applicant is represented by an attorney; or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H9736A951B27343A684BA36D05DE2BE26"><enum>(II)</enum><text>with a qualified designated entity (designated under paragraph (2)), but only if the applicant consents to the forwarding of the application to the Secretary; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H0839EE790A6E48CCB7E2961984F226C6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>applications for adjustment of status under subsection (c) shall be filed directly with the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H00031315B17548EE90F6B9B007779CD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Outside the United States</header><text>The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, shall establish a procedure whereby an alien may apply for temporary resident status under subsection (a) at an appropriate consular office outside the United States.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEFE8FEB6A1254E1DA2C184943D9DCBA7"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Preliminary applications</header>
<clause id="H22A5D077D33445B2A6F1D0C9C170EF3E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>During the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary may grant admission to the United States as a temporary resident and provide an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or other appropriate work permit to any alien who presents a preliminary application for such status under subsection (a) at a designated port of entry on the southern land border of the United States. An alien who does not enter through a port of entry is subject to deportation and removal as otherwise provided in this Act.</text></clause>
<clause id="HFEC0071B67C2439AA9E6F0CE36791B86"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For purposes of clause (i), the term <term>preliminary application</term> means a fully completed and signed application which contains specific information concerning the performance of qualifying employment in the United States, together with the payment of the appropriate fee and the submission of photographs and the documentary evidence which the applicant intends to submit as proof of such employment.</text></clause>
<clause id="HAE87AC09512D4416BFB5F06C2DFE9F89"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>An applicant under clause (i) shall otherwise be admissible to the United States under subsection (e)(2) and shall establish to the satisfaction of the examining officer during an interview that the applicant’s claim to eligibility for temporary resident status is credible.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H429EB6CA0B8C4B28BA22681E20ABC1FC"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Travel documentation</header><text>The Secretary shall provide each alien granted status under this section with a counterfeit-resistant document of authorization to enter or reenter the United States that meets the requirements established by the Secretary.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H20AB73ACA1DA4B1AAE20BECE812CB51F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Designation of entities to receive applications</header>
<subparagraph id="H17ED790C63044159A6004D61F1E41944"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For purposes of receiving applications under subsection (a), the Secretary—</text>
<clause id="H946A04EFBD5E46D38809E5F61DADB7E0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall designate qualified farm labor organizations and associations of employers; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HB86120F201A849CD8FAD4F75F5292B92"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may designate such other persons as the Secretary determines are qualified and have substantial experience, demonstrate competence, and have traditional long-term involvement in the preparation and submittal of applications for adjustment of status under section 209, 210, or 245 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name>, <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/89/732">Public Law 89–732</external-xref>, <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/95/145">Public Law 95–145</external-xref>, or the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3E5DBA09449D4FC8813B6648C1C9A900"><enum>(B)</enum><header>References</header><text>Organizations, associations, and persons designated under subparagraph (A) are referred to in this Act as <quote>qualified designated entities</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1DAAE500BA8E4AF280F61CB229780219"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Proof of eligibility</header>
<subparagraph id="H7102AFB485B143BA9036155836F9B26"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An alien may establish that the alien meets the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A) through government employment records or records supplied by employers or collective bargaining organizations, and other reliable documentation as the alien may provide. The Secretary shall establish special procedures to properly credit work in cases in which an alien was employed under an assumed name.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H931EC2003F174AF281AFB9F0D5BAD0C6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Documentation of work history</header>
<clause id="H8959D2A02DB54CE7AC452322C781E7CC"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Burden of proof</header><text>An alien applying for status under subsection (a)(1) or (c)(1) has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the alien has worked the requisite number of hours or days (as required under subsection (a)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A)).</text></clause>
<clause id="H5E2342D113D04566A281B000ABF47489"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Timely production of records</header><text>If an employer or farm labor contractor employing such an alien has kept proper and adequate records respecting such employment, the alien’s burden of proof under clause (i) may be met by securing timely production of those records under regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary.</text></clause>
<clause id="H794E5124DC3E4A9683E971AFAA009C4C"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Sufficient evidence</header><text>An alien can meet the burden of proof under clause (i) to establish that the alien has performed the work described in subsection (a)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A) by producing sufficient evidence to show the extent of that employment as a matter of just and reasonable inference.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7D3E1AC9792C45528C09BA241D2C2E7C"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Treatment of applications by qualified designated entities</header><text>Each qualified designated entity shall agree to forward to the Secretary applications filed with it in accordance with paragraph (1)(A)(i)(II) but shall not forward to the Secretary applications filed with it unless the applicant has consented to such forwarding. No such entity may make a determination required by this section to be made by the Secretary. Upon the request of the alien, a qualified designated entity shall assist the alien in obtaining documentation of the work history of the alien.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4E6DE002843F49B8ACEA1471FDC2008C"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Limitation on access to information</header><text>Files and records prepared for purposes of this subsection by qualified designated entities operating under this subsection are confidential and the Secretary shall not have access to such files or records relating to an alien without the consent of the alien, except as allowed by a court order issued pursuant to paragraph (6).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFFA0000870794BC5B2CEE0F94614DD3"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Confidentiality of information</header>
<subparagraph id="HA121010C7E1E40F2815BFC27C2DBF3F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, neither the Secretary, nor any other official or employee of the Department of Homeland Security, or bureau or agency thereof, may—</text>
<clause id="HBEBD4FB425FF4E3CA249800035C34DCC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>use the information furnished by the applicant pursuant to an application filed under this section, the information provided to the applicant by a person designated under paragraph (2)(A), or any information provided by an employer or former employer, for any purpose other than to make a determination on the application, or for enforcement of paragraph (7);</text></clause>
<clause id="H1D594686D66B487DAAF92EC872D5194"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>make any publication whereby the information furnished by any particular individual can be identified; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H10D00B775A484DEC866C74FFE12C40D6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>permit anyone other than the sworn officers and employees of the Department of Homeland Security, or bureau or agency thereof, or, with respect to applications filed with a qualified designated entity, that qualified designated entity, to examine individual applications.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H296951D8E1C94F57949C334BC0AF5F1E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Required disclosures</header><text>The Secretary shall provide the information furnished under this section, or any other information derived from such furnished information, to—</text>
<clause id="H8F847263FAE2457BB2570035D11F5DA7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a duly recognized law enforcement entity in connection with a criminal investigation or prosecution, if such information is requested in writing by such entity; or</text></clause>
<clause id="HDD33EFF8FA47446EA07C769D03ED07F1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an official coroner, for purposes of affirmatively identifying a deceased individual, whether or not the death of such individual resulted from a crime.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H64780D9053B44E77B065281C8C6098AA"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Construction</header>
<clause id="H2081F76BDC5245CB0022215C13D41F77"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the use, or release, for immigration enforcement purposes or law enforcement purposes of information contained in files or records of the Department of Homeland Security pertaining to an application filed under this section, other than information furnished by an applicant pursuant to the application, or any other information derived from the application, that is not available from any other source.</text></clause>
<clause id="H4EDB0962EF2649CAB39BAE77646DA530"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Criminal convictions</header><text>Information concerning whether the applicant has at any time been convicted of a crime may be used or released for immigration enforcement or law enforcement purposes.</text></clause> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBEEAF63D27974E57B2BFBF104CEDCFDE"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Crime</header><text>Any person who knowingly uses, publishes, or permits information to be examined in violation of this paragraph shall be subject to a fine in an amount not to exceed $10,000.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H531F25C9F59E4BEDBA1FF68DE2C91DA8"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Penalties for false statements in applications</header>
<subparagraph id="HD27499609406492084FF3C54D7A0A137"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Criminal penalty</header><text>Any person who—</text>
<clause id="H3C7DBB4DB83E420E9378203450C3BBB8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>files an application for status under subsection (a) or (c) and knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact or makes any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; or</text></clause>
<clause id="HCFA0827372884311ABC690F6C3F41865"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>creates or supplies a false writing or document for use in making such an application,</text></clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.</continuation-text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H28E0D1BB06F24014BB63AE400889552"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inadmissibility</header><text>An alien who is convicted of a crime under subparagraph (A) shall be considered to be inadmissible to the United States on the ground described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2F797E7B3A034D21A54523CCC9FA1F00"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Eligibility for legal services</header><text>Section 504(a)(11) of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/104/134">Public Law 104–134</external-xref> (110 Stat. 1321–53 et seq.) shall not be construed to prevent a recipient of funds under the Legal Services Corporation Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/2996">42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.</external-xref>) from providing legal assistance directly related to an application for adjustment of status under this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6A0330AFFF514A0700EC5E36C6EB2FED"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Application fees</header>
<subparagraph id="H05F03057C159419DA184A7264EA08D5E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Fee schedule</header><text>The Secretary shall provide for a schedule of fees that—</text>
<clause id="HC2F6EF7B4C1249FC8CECB815FDB7F64"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall be charged for the filing of applications for status under subsections (a) and (c); and</text></clause>
<clause id="HDD2B4F00B4F74FE5B4F2D0BFDFED8DCD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may be charged by qualified designated entities to help defray the costs of services provided to such applicants.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H359D2B79DE37426CB07521501C004BA7"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibition on excess fees by qualified designated entities</header><text>A qualified designated entity may not charge any fee in excess of, or in addition to, the fees authorized under subparagraph (A)(ii) for services provided to applicants.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB571BD67725D48B69BB571CB1D4F93CE"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Disposition of fees</header>
<clause id="H76984F11EA5E445DB31000152ED0FE9E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the <quote>Agricultural Worker Immigration Status Adjustment Account</quote>. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account all fees collected under subparagraph (A)(i).</text></clause>
<clause id="H3E9E2FE639F1470CB97B39A751947C00"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Use of fees for application processing</header><text>Amounts deposited in the <quote>Agricultural Worker Immigration Status Adjustment Account</quote> shall remain available to the Secretary until expended for processing applications for status under subsections (a) and (c).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD626AF129B324C83A8D6804C7074B2FF"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility</header>
<paragraph id="H899DAD8A44DC4A20A1004E86602CF805"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Numerical limitations do not apply</header><text>The numerical limitations of sections 201 and 202 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8 U.S.C. 1151 and 1152) shall not apply to the adjustment of aliens to lawful permanent resident status under this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1FA8021CAF3948389E8F963F2575F92D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Waiver of certain grounds of inadmissibility</header><text>In the determination of an alien’s eligibility for status under subsection (a)(1)(C) or an alien’s eligibility for adjustment of status under subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii)(I), the following rules shall apply:</text>
<subparagraph id="HD30995F0C9554BED9E9D2D8D7F0689C3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Grounds of exclusion not applicable</header><text>The provisions of paragraphs (5), (6)(A), (7)(A), and (9)(B) of section 212(a) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)</external-xref>) shall not apply.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5E449D2445F24BB0B68B4E1F95BB1DD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Waiver of other grounds</header>
<clause id="H6EECA4BBCF3A4E5600DBD1E332B918FA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary may waive any other provision of such section 212(a) in the case of individual aliens for humanitarian purposes, to ensure family unity, or if otherwise in the public interest.</text></clause>
<clause id="HEAB520CC65934DE3AA04D5B9AB5E2F88"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Grounds that may not be waived</header><text>Paragraphs (2)(A), (2)(B), (2)(C), (3), and (4) of such section 212(a) may not be waived by the Secretary under clause (i).</text></clause>
<clause id="HD23BCB84F3384ACC90EA3966005C00A5"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary other than under this subparagraph to waive provisions of such section 212(a).</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4A4CD25760714A6D0051EB41F1C670B1"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Special rule for determination of public charge</header><text>An alien is not ineligible for status under this section by reason of a ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(4) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)</external-xref>) if the alien demonstrates a history of employment in the United States evidencing self-support without reliance on public cash assistance.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H33A8624E13B849009528521EF2F95F93"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Temporary stay of removal and work authorization for certain applicants</header>
<paragraph id="HEF49DF96A4E64FE69022CF78745E55F7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Before application period</header><text>Effective on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide that, in the case of an alien who is apprehended before the beginning of the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B) and who can establish a nonfrivolous case of eligibility for temporary resident status under subsection (a) (but for the fact that the alien may not apply for such status until the beginning of such period), until the alien has had the opportunity during the first 30 days of the application period to complete the filing of an application for temporary resident status, the alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="HEE917E3AEE2B4B2C979F2FD300E894C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>may not be removed; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9829F31FF15643AAB7A7F5CC811C5FBD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the United States and be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or other appropriate work permit for such purpose.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H67D0EC8A1B454E599C794CC4DA3500F1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>During application period</header><text>The Secretary shall provide that, in the case of an alien who presents a nonfrivolous application for temporary resident status under subsection (a) during the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B), including an alien who files such an application within 30 days of the alien’s apprehension, and until a final determination on the application has been made in accordance with this section, the alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="H137028BD732647F79B3FE4033D165953"><enum>(A)</enum><text>may not be removed; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H884AAFA1CA364DF6B55C92E474D1244E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the United States and be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or other appropriate work permit for such purpose.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2233EB2893F04A2CAA56C2B78B38C6BB"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Administrative and judicial review</header>
<paragraph id="H031390489C0949D4BF79F2D7B6634800"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a determination respecting an application for status under subsection (a) or (c) except in accordance with this subsection.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD1773F4B364849A29700DCEBBCFF3E29"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administrative review</header>
<subparagraph id="HB55D4623746C4A5A88F7900F3A8F2DB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Single level of administrative appellate review</header><text>The Secretary shall establish an appellate authority to provide for a single level of administrative appellate review of such a determination.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8ECE3C0D6BB9494DA8767C1816CD19C2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standard for review</header><text>Such administrative appellate review shall be based solely upon the administrative record established at the time of the determination on the application and upon such additional or newly discovered evidence as may not have been available at the time of the determination.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9BBEF3A9DDF54B5D8B125D973246AEE0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Judicial review</header>
<subparagraph id="H3E3B6C5FD946464B9BA18172C54756A4"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Limitation to review of removal</header><text>There shall be judicial review of such a determination only in the judicial review of an order of removal under section 242 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1252">8 U.S.C. 1252</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H131F20940ADF465FBD9400878500DCB3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standard for judicial review</header><text>Such judicial review shall be based solely upon the administrative record established at the time of the review by the appellate authority and the findings of fact and determinations contained in such record shall be conclusive unless the applicant can establish abuse of discretion or that the findings are directly contrary to clear and convincing facts contained in the record considered as a whole.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8C24C7FA4D0847DD86022785E66B8671"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Dissemination of information on adjustment program</header><text>Beginning not later than the first day of the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary, in cooperation with qualified designated entities, shall broadly disseminate information respecting the benefits that aliens may receive under this section and the requirements to be satisfied to obtain such benefits.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H518C563F76904765BC70B98599E8A5AB"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The Secretary shall issue regulations to implement this section not later than the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4A99E408CC544E0B003B7D7E69E224A3"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall take effect on the date that regulations are issued implementing this section on an interim or other basis.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H3972BA8E2F194D0DB130B070E17F3D1F"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HC473F29AE5ED47CCA9F14D3BFF83AFF"><enum>102.</enum><header>Correction of Social Security records</header>
<subsection id="H8A35F9A502A349268CF0B2BFC5E1DCA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 208(d)(1) of the <act-name parsable-cite="SSA">Social Security Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/408">42 U.S.C. 408(d)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HB5092A511EF248B8A2E3194314528731"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H23D8BC5BF27D41C18844F6341E4FE872"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (C), by inserting <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF7685CF90F704762829D01243E3B3E10"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H2FF9C9B320F24CBC00477868B24B9144">
<subparagraph id="H27B15F03D5C44B1D9974757325C5632" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>who is granted status as a lawful temporary resident under the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005,</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H46B3219327054D97BB52DFDACB2907EF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by striking <quote>1990.</quote> and inserting <quote>1990, or in the case of an alien described in subparagraph (D), if such conduct is alleged to have occurred before the date on which the alien was granted lawful temporary resident status.</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H09A77834E5C64640AB9E79ABD61F208"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Reform of H–2A Worker Program</header>
<section id="H37DA9D3A27174B4FA71EBA7BC17B7F59"><enum>201.</enum><header>Amendment to the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name></header>
<subsection id="HEC0C6E527ADC46C8ACC0145C1D828F00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> is amended by striking section 218 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1188">8 U.S.C. 1188</external-xref>) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="H051C4AE77F3F48B1A0D3C91F3979646B" style="traditional">
<section id="HF607F1D85C4D47C6A508666D10ADA845"><enum>218.</enum><header>H–2A employer applications</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HD6431F6EE470410DB785E0918FEBCA67"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Applications to the Secretary of Labor</header>
<paragraph id="H313001AC272A4DC7AF34AEC771472CF5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>No alien may be admitted to the United States as an H–2A worker, or otherwise provided status as an H–2A worker, unless the employer has filed with the Secretary of Labor an application containing—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE6A6E8BB33C24BEAAA525C561E658FEC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the assurances described in subsection (b);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H99D664DF186F41DDACF3D7079F37B502"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of the nature and location of the work to be performed;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA003B672CEC54B62AE18522B1EB44987"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the anticipated period (expected beginning and ending dates) for which the workers will be needed; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF8352E494EF04D3C997B433800554336"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the number of job opportunities in which the employer seeks to employ the workers.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD09D3B0DFC0D45E795D49E91B53DFF48"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Accompanied by job offer</header><text>Each application filed under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by a copy of the job offer describing the wages and other terms and conditions of employment and the bona fide occupational qualifications that shall be possessed by a worker to be employed in the job opportunity in question.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HDE6BF0E3062D4D47B992E19869260104"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assurances for inclusion in applications</header><text>The assurances referred to in subsection (a)(1) are the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HA24CB865938149EB97780420353600C8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Job opportunities covered by collective bargaining agreements</header><text>With respect to a job opportunity that is covered under a collective bargaining agreement:</text>
<subparagraph id="H8F23CE70681D463E9FA89615C3F5471"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Union contract described</header><text>The job opportunity is covered by a union contract which was negotiated at arm’s length between a bona fide union and the employer.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC51C0C8CFF9D448D91D82B4F9D3FCAAE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Strike or lockout</header><text>The specific job opportunity for which the employer is requesting an H–2A worker is not vacant because the former occupant is on strike or being locked out in the course of a labor dispute.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9FE14E60C2D843908DA50694D4DC9BD"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Notification of bargaining representatives</header><text>The employer, at the time of filing the application, has provided notice of the filing under this paragraph to the bargaining representative of the employer’s employees in the occupational classification at the place or places of employment for which aliens are sought.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE6AB707FAF144C07A774CAAD29B251B4"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Temporary or seasonal job opportunities</header><text>The job opportunity is temporary or seasonal.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9DC4C6FF578C4313A953190074637C00"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Offers to United States workers</header><text>The employer has offered or will offer the job to any eligible United States worker who applies and is equally or better qualified for the job for which the nonimmigrant is, or the nonimmigrants are, sought and who will be available at the time and place of need.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1DEF192840E34820A9A302F1CF12E8B8"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Provision of insurance</header><text>If the job opportunity is not covered by the State workers’ compensation law, the employer will provide, at no cost to the worker, insurance covering injury and disease arising out of, and in the course of, the worker’s employment which will provide benefits at least equal to those provided under the State’s workers’ compensation law for comparable employment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H42AAB811720848F697D858673D628F25"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Job opportunities not covered by collective bargaining agreements</header><text>With respect to a job opportunity that is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement:</text>
<subparagraph id="H00344E6C49D84B29AB1C7F5D331BB977"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Strike or lockout</header><text>The specific job opportunity for which the employer is requesting an H–2A worker is not vacant because the former occupant is on strike or being locked out in the course of a labor dispute.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6C35761AC89A41CDB28F907700B50893"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Temporary or seasonal job opportunities</header><text>The job opportunity is temporary or seasonal.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEE2E401E54434A29BF8C4E0025DB9991"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Benefit, wage, and working conditions</header><text>The employer will provide, at a minimum, the benefits, wages, and working conditions required by section 218A to all workers employed in the job opportunities for which the employer has applied under subsection (a) and to all other workers in the same occupation at the place of employment.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBB708C608E7544279C8265D7F7D1D9ED"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Nondisplacement of United States workers</header><text>The employer did not displace and will not displace a United States worker employed by the employer during the period of employment and for a period of 30 days preceding the period of employment in the occupation at the place of employment for which the employer seeks approval to employ H–2A workers.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5B7F8825B8DA4BF5B6BBDF75F21F76F"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Requirements for placement of nonimmigrant with other employers</header><text>The employer will not place the nonimmigrant with another employer unless—</text>
<clause id="H1DD6F0956BCA437CAE9E222779BA3400"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the nonimmigrant performs duties in whole or in part at 1 or more work sites owned, operated, or controlled by such other employer;</text></clause>
<clause id="H7D47018C68D445E99C3CF25C3E4104FF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>there are indicia of an employment relationship between the nonimmigrant and such other employer; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H07EC2811BECF4BBF9BC2438564902633"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the employer has inquired of the other employer as to whether, and has no actual knowledge or notice that, during the period of employment and for a period of 30 days preceding the period of employment, the other employer has displaced or intends to displace a United States worker employed by the other employer in the occupation at the place of employment for which the employer seeks approval to employ H–2A workers.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4351CA44C04342C8824BC300FAE31504"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Statement of liability</header><text>The application form shall include a clear statement explaining the liability under subparagraph (E) of an employer if the other employer described in such subparagraph displaces a United States worker as described in such subparagraph.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5DF69D0628654FD2B5451F13EB5473DF"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Provision of insurance</header><text>If the job opportunity is not covered by the State workers’ compensation law, the employer will provide, at no cost to the worker, insurance covering injury and disease arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment which will provide benefits at least equal to those provided under the State’s workers’ compensation law for comparable employment.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H18D3981801D44DD797C419B9614CACB2"><enum>(H)</enum><header>Employment of United States workers</header>
<clause id="HF6E47E3FA35A47E9B695E1C867B6168E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Recruitment</header><text>The employer has taken or will take the following steps to recruit United States workers for the job opportunities for which the H–2A nonimmigrant is, or H–2A nonimmigrants are, sought:</text>
<subclause id="H5B1D2037EBA54816BE18E50667D7058B"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Contacting former workers</header><text>The employer shall make reasonable efforts through the sending of a letter by United States Postal Service mail, or otherwise, to contact any United States worker the employer employed during the previous season in the occupation at the place of intended employment for which the employer is applying for workers and has made the availability of the employer’s job opportunities in the occupation at the place of intended employment known to such previous workers, unless the worker was terminated from employment by the employer for a lawful job-related reason or abandoned the job before the worker completed the period of employment of the job opportunity for which the worker was hired.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H07EE092518C545FF9C45A6799772C8F8"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Filing a job offer with the local office of the State employment security agency</header><text>Not later than 28 days before the date on which the employer desires to employ an H–2A worker in a temporary or seasonal agricultural job opportunity, the employer shall submit a copy of the job offer described in subsection (a)(2) to the local office of the State employment security agency which serves the area of intended employment and authorize the posting of the job opportunity on <quote>America’s Job Bank</quote> or other electronic job registry, except that nothing in this subclause shall require the employer to file an interstate job order under <external-xref legal-doc="regulation" parsable-cite="cfr/20/653">section 653</external-xref> of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H933BB01948984CF6AC65D8557E9C2500"><enum>(III)</enum><header>Advertising of job opportunities</header><text>Not later than 14 days before the date on which the employer desires to employ an H–2A worker in a temporary or seasonal agricultural job opportunity, the employer shall advertise the availability of the job opportunities for which the employer is seeking workers in a publication in the local labor market that is likely to be patronized by potential farm workers.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H3E351EF1A03E44BF93A9C4A76B1B1D03"><enum>(IV)</enum><header>Emergency procedures</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall, by regulation, provide a procedure for acceptance and approval of applications in which the employer has not complied with the provisions of this subparagraph because the employer’s need for H–2A workers could not reasonably have been foreseen.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HB9EF9212BEB64A988CA26419D6534F26"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Job offers</header><text>The employer has offered or will offer the job to any eligible United States worker who applies and is equally or better qualified for the job for which the nonimmigrant is, or nonimmigrants are, sought and who will be available at the time and place of need.</text></clause>
<clause id="H01A107B2B7DC4633BCC44EE27940E1CF"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Period of employment</header><text>The employer will provide employment to any qualified United States worker who applies to the employer during the period beginning on the date on which the foreign worker departs for the employer’s place of employment and ending on the date on which 50 percent of the period of employment for which the foreign worker who is in the job was hired has elapsed, subject to the following requirements:</text>
<subclause id="HCC0DA19BF58A47799FF5F99CE7CCC785"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No person or entity shall willfully and knowingly withhold United States workers before the arrival of H–2A workers in order to force the hiring of United States workers under this clause.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H8D38AF11D285474EBBB195241C97229B"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Complaints</header><text>Upon receipt of a complaint by an employer that a violation of subclause (I) has occurred, the Secretary of Labor shall immediately investigate. The Secretary of Labor shall, within 36 hours of the receipt of the complaint, issue findings concerning the alleged violation. If the Secretary of Labor finds that a violation has occurred, the Secretary of Labor shall immediately suspend the application of this clause with respect to that certification for that date of need.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H9F36159F4BE94DE7B5FEE328D9DD4251"><enum>(III)</enum><header>Placement of United States workers</header><text>Before referring a United States worker to an employer during the period described in the matter preceding subclause (I), the Secretary of Labor shall make all reasonable efforts to place the United States worker in an open job acceptable to the worker, if there are other job offers pending with the job service that offer similar job opportunities in the area of intended employment.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HC8D5E456D3F8412CA923C34D60CBB594"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Statutory construction</header><text>Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to prohibit an employer from using such legitimate selection criteria relevant to the type of job that are normal or customary to the type of job involved so long as such criteria are not applied in a discriminatory manner.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H22097A13C9C04815A9ECA5C7BDD6F712"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Applications by associations on behalf of employer members</header>
<paragraph id="H73754B03193945EDA32E0080C7449FF0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An agricultural association may file an application under subsection (a) on behalf of 1 or more of its employer members that the association certifies in its application has or have agreed in writing to comply with the requirements of this section and sections 218A through 218C.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H819123D26A414251BB05FBD6AA8F76CE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment of associations acting as employers</header><text>If an association filing an application under paragraph (1) is a joint or sole employer of the temporary or seasonal agricultural workers requested on the application, the certifications granted under subsection (e)(2)(B) to the association may be used for the certified job opportunities of any of its producer members named on the application, and such workers may be transferred among such producer members to perform the agricultural services of a temporary or seasonal nature for which the certifications were granted.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4CA5DB236A4F402F9619A39EAC008116"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Withdrawal of applications</header>
<paragraph id="H26A195410DD645FB83E5A93428A938D2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An employer may withdraw an application filed pursuant to subsection (a), except that if the employer is an agricultural association, the association may withdraw an application filed pursuant to subsection (a) with respect to 1 or more of its members. To withdraw an application, the employer or association shall notify the Secretary of Labor in writing, and the Secretary of Labor shall acknowledge in writing the receipt of such withdrawal notice. An employer who withdraws an application under subsection (a), or on whose behalf an application is withdrawn, is relieved of the obligations undertaken in the application.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC08063D34969414E944D6BCA94361426"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>An application may not be withdrawn while any alien provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) pursuant to such application is employed by the employer.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H69AF34AA0CC14EFFBC801F66C99EC023"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Obligations under other statutes</header><text>Any obligation incurred by an employer under any other law or regulation as a result of the recruitment of United States workers or H–2A workers under an offer of terms and conditions of employment required as a result of making an application under subsection (a) is unaffected by withdrawal of such application.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF89EAE215E644F0B837613F4A08630B9"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Review and approval of applications</header>
<paragraph id="H0B77563F78074FFA85531133D09FE178"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Responsibility of employers</header><text>The employer shall make available for public examination, within 1 working day after the date on which an application under subsection (a) is filed, at the employer’s principal place of business or work site, a copy of each such application (and such accompanying documents as are necessary).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA1BEDCD81324211AC8380C2691FF13"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Responsibility of the Secretary of Labor</header>
<subparagraph id="HA088CF7E5C6B4EA1B5D37E12CA86482F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Compilation of list</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall compile, on a current basis, a list (by employer and by occupational classification) of the applications filed under this subsection. Such list shall include the wage rate, number of workers sought, period of intended employment, and date of need. The Secretary of Labor shall make such list available for examination in the District of Columbia.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H15850A08040B4BACA13DE9C0B1A2BA8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Review of applications</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall review such an application only for completeness and obvious inaccuracies. Unless the Secretary of Labor finds that the application is incomplete or obviously inaccurate, the Secretary of Labor shall certify that the intending employer has filed with the Secretary of Labor an application as described in subsection (a). Such certification shall be provided within 7 days of the filing of the application.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H6D2E63691AE6430995FDD7F4C5C0028C"><enum>218A.</enum><header>H–2A employment requirements</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HA17E10B11BF94B768CF8FBF342CF3EDA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Preferential treatment of aliens prohibited</header><text>Employers seeking to hire United States workers shall offer the United States workers no less than the same benefits, wages, and working conditions that the employer is offering, intends to offer, or will provide to H–2A workers. Conversely, no job offer may impose on United States workers any restrictions or obligations which will not be imposed on the employer’s H–2A workers.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HAD634C4C06744673A125E87C208DC0A7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Minimum benefits, wages, and working conditions</header><text>Except in cases where higher benefits, wages, or working conditions are required by the provisions of subsection (a), in order to protect similarly employed United States workers from adverse effects with respect to benefits, wages, and working conditions, every job offer which shall accompany an application under section 218(b)(2) shall include each of the following benefit, wage, and working condition provisions:</text>
<paragraph id="H985CC7FECFE9461C8087E97C76DDCCAE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement to provide housing or a housing allowance</header>
<subparagraph id="HC217B80F16944B5DB841AC68F438C07F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An employer applying under section 218(a) for H–2A workers shall offer to provide housing at no cost to all workers in job opportunities for which the employer has applied under that section and to all other workers in the same occupation at the place of employment, whose place of residence is beyond normal commuting distance.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8BBEA57F1F7E4DC9879F43A0DC1FAC8E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Type of housing</header><text>In complying with subparagraph (A), an employer may, at the employer’s election, provide housing that meets applicable Federal standards for temporary labor camps or secure housing that meets applicable local standards for rental or public accommodation housing or other substantially similar class of habitation, or in the absence of applicable local standards, State standards for rental or public accommodation housing or other substantially similar class of habitation. In the absence of applicable local or State standards, Federal temporary labor camp standards shall apply.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF1CCF1897BCB44C7ADB722489121B1D1"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Family housing</header><text>When it is the prevailing practice in the occupation and area of intended employment to provide family housing, family housing shall be provided to workers with families who request it.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1002AE4BC86D4401B7CE95402F075890"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Workers engaged in the range production of livestock</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations that address the specific requirements for the provision of housing to workers engaged in the range production of livestock.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H01D019DADE0E4BF180DCA8B3E1B6600"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an employer to provide or secure housing for persons who were not entitled to such housing under the temporary labor certification regulations in effect on June 1, 1986.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H96B19C381B3543FE855B92605E9D92BA"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Charges for housing</header>
<clause id="H988AAE83BC61446B94554D6C83C359E1"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Charges for public housing</header><text>If public housing provided for migrant agricultural workers under the auspices of a local, county, or State government is secured by an employer, and use of the public housing unit normally requires charges from migrant workers, such charges shall be paid by the employer directly to the appropriate individual or entity affiliated with the housing’s management.</text></clause>
<clause id="H55369C39A0174C748E00560068F3E498"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Deposit charges</header><text>Charges in the form of deposits for bedding or other similar incidentals related to housing shall not be levied upon workers by employers who provide housing for their workers. An employer may require a worker found to have been responsible for damage to such housing which is not the result of normal wear and tear related to habitation to reimburse the employer for the reasonable cost of repair of such damage.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H963399057DAE4341991000F485B18E3"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Housing allowance as alternative</header>
<clause id="H926B5065ECB1499DBBD30329E321FCAB"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the requirement under clause (ii) is satisfied, the employer may provide a reasonable housing allowance instead of offering housing under subparagraph (A). Upon the request of a worker seeking assistance in locating housing, the employer shall make a good faith effort to assist the worker in identifying and locating housing in the area of intended employment. An employer who offers a housing allowance to a worker, or assists a worker in locating housing which the worker occupies, pursuant to this clause shall not be deemed a housing provider under section 203 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/1823">29 U.S.C. 1823</external-xref>) solely by virtue of providing such housing allowance. No housing allowance may be used for housing which is owned or controlled by the employer.</text></clause>
<clause id="H4BFF2D0FCD284995BD7B8DB7DA44200"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>The requirement of this clause is satisfied if the Governor of the State certifies to the Secretary of Labor that there is adequate housing available in the area of intended employment for migrant farm workers, and H–2A workers, who are seeking temporary housing while employed at farm work. Such certification shall expire after 3 years unless renewed by the Governor of the State.</text></clause>
<clause id="H42D63F89419C42D9875976F9DF10083"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Amount of allowance</header>
<subclause id="H8797C5A385834510A83E2CC1673DC7A2"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Nonmetropolitan counties</header><text>If the place of employment of the workers provided an allowance under this subparagraph is a nonmetropolitan county, the amount of the housing allowance under this subparagraph shall be equal to the statewide average fair market rental for existing housing for nonmetropolitan counties for the State, as established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to section 8(c) of the <act-name parsable-cite="USHA">United States Housing Act of 1937</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1437f">42 U.S.C. 1437f(c)</external-xref>), based on a 2 bedroom dwelling unit and an assumption of 2 persons per bedroom.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H3C16F3AE02494A8BA36489411E14D6A3"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Metropolitan counties</header><text>If the place of employment of the workers provided an allowance under this paragraph is in a metropolitan county, the amount of the housing allowance under this subparagraph shall be equal to the statewide average fair market rental for existing housing for metropolitan counties for the State, as established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to section 8(c) of the <act-name parsable-cite="USHA">United States Housing Act of 1937</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1437f">42 U.S.C. 1437f(c)</external-xref>), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an assumption of 2 persons per bedroom.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCE797FBB194B4C3883D40756C71E414E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reimbursement of transportation</header>
<subparagraph id="H92A5505E41764E8D8F8DA1A29E24DB48"><enum>(A)</enum><header>To place of employment</header><text>A worker who completes 50 percent of the period of employment of the job opportunity for which the worker was hired shall be reimbursed by the employer for the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence from the place from which the worker came to work for the employer (or place of last employment, if the worker traveled from such place) to the place of employment.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB0EBCAC44AC14FAF986D6589AAF020E5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>From place of employment</header><text>A worker who completes the period of employment for the job opportunity involved shall be reimbursed by the employer for the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence from the place of employment to the place from which the worker, disregarding intervening employment, came to work for the employer, or to the place of next employment, if the worker has contracted with a subsequent employer who has not agreed to provide or pay for the worker’s transportation and subsistence to such subsequent employer’s place of employment.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4B56D9C723374930BCA73C69A7D62EF"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Limitation</header>
<clause id="H25DC0192B35B4125BDB3D433B7B47FC"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Amount of reimbursement</header><text>Except as provided in clause (ii), the amount of reimbursement provided under subparagraph (A) or (B) to a worker or alien shall not exceed the lesser of—</text>
<subclause id="HA58B69F7758A46AC8ED31FCCAE7E03B5"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the actual cost to the worker or alien of the transportation and subsistence involved; or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H5E7384AA10354DF9B91B679229B572C5"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the most economical and reasonable common carrier transportation charges and subsistence costs for the distance involved.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HC4153ABCDA1A4648927CDB2CE7000086"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Distance traveled</header><text>No reimbursement under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be required if the distance traveled is 100 miles or less, or the worker is not residing in employer-provided housing or housing secured through an allowance as provided in paragraph (1)(G).</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2D2186AB61954ACC95F898071DB5792"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Early termination</header><text>If the worker is laid off or employment is terminated for contract impossibility (as described in paragraph (4)(D)) before the anticipated ending date of employment, the employer shall provide the transportation and subsistence required by subparagraph (B) and, notwithstanding whether the worker has completed 50 percent of the period of employment, shall provide the transportation reimbursement required by subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA98B73C22D2B4D77B64457C5CD1531FE"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Transportation between living quarters and work site</header><text>The employer shall provide transportation between the worker’s living quarters and the employer’s work site without cost to the worker, and such transportation will be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6BCFB0D6842943DA94223579B1C28000"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Required wages</header>
<subparagraph id="H5FD9B4DFEA12451D972296AEF30075E3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An employer applying for workers under section 218(a) shall offer to pay, and shall pay, all workers in the occupation for which the employer has applied for workers, not less (and is not required to pay more) than the greater of the prevailing wage in the occupation in the area of intended employment or the adverse effect wage rate. No worker shall be paid less than the greater of the hourly wage prescribed under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/206">29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)</external-xref>) or the applicable State minimum wage.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H41ED53A32252447BB22D09C0F9403298"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Effective on the date of enactment of the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005 and continuing for 3 years thereafter, no adverse effect wage rate for a State may be more than the adverse effect wage rate for that State in effect on January 1, 2003, as established by <external-xref legal-doc="regulation" parsable-cite="cfr/20/655.107">section 655.107</external-xref> of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCC50C6821A674DFD99EA99D51FDD8B20"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Required wages after 3-year freeze</header>
<clause id="H77E2A992A0294AD0B7DCD4779CFBCCBE"><enum>(i)</enum><header>First adjustment</header><text>If Congress does not set a new wage standard applicable to this section before the first March 1 that is not less than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the adverse effect wage rate for each State beginning on such March 1 shall be the wage rate that would have resulted if the adverse effect wage rate in effect on January 1, 2003, had been annually adjusted, beginning on March 1, 2006, by the lesser of—</text>
<subclause id="H823C5B955E3945E59644EE45D134CF8"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the 12 month percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers between December of the second preceding year and December of the preceding year; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HF7822DA12C9C45688C7C2828EEC2BFAB"><enum>(II)</enum><text>4 percent.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H16A1FFAD109A4E46910000B1A740924F"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Subsequent annual adjustments</header><text>Beginning on the first March 1 that is not less than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, and each March 1 thereafter, the adverse effect wage rate then in effect for each State shall be adjusted by the lesser of—</text>
<subclause id="H1B584265A6CC4C629BB3233E9B02CAAA"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the 12 month percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers between December of the second preceding year and December of the preceding year; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HED602590C6FD4345A3F0823698D7DA7"><enum>(II)</enum><text>4 percent.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE1B98EEB839745D8817B2FF214D48921"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Deductions</header><text>The employer shall make only those deductions from the worker’s wages that are authorized by law or are reasonable and customary in the occupation and area of employment. The job offer shall specify all deductions not required by law which the employer will make from the worker’s wages.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8199E1D464AA4DA39976259330099F7C"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Frequency of pay</header><text>The employer shall pay the worker not less frequently than twice monthly, or in accordance with the prevailing practice in the area of employment, whichever is more frequent.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAA9B34A29CFF414B9187B0A98DCE138C"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Hours and earnings statements</header><text>The employer shall furnish to the worker, on or before each payday, in 1 or more written statements—</text>
<clause id="H65AE8E58789E4C55A714003BDFE71348"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the worker’s total earnings for the pay period;</text></clause>
<clause id="H21CB240C71D64E7DB215190065357083"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the worker’s hourly rate of pay, piece rate of pay, or both;</text></clause>
<clause id="H0F05C5FA0B134EDCB414F3AED32F9B46"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the hours of employment which have been offered to the worker (broken out by hours offered in accordance with and over and above the three-quarters guarantee described in paragraph (4);</text></clause>
<clause id="H9EC0AE855D964C84A649C41F1EE72EF8"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the hours actually worked by the worker;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFB0B1DE03EEF4F55B5536958B7DEF485"><enum>(v)</enum><text>an itemization of the deductions made from the worker’s wages; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HFD9753AE6F4E45DCA1004FF14714418E"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>if piece rates of pay are used, the units produced daily.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2A14A07709E04933AE76F28169ABC336"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Report on wage protections</header><text>Not later than June 1, 2007, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary of Labor, the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, and Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, a report that addresses—</text>
<clause id="HAE7D52334C034FFF9B00453230217D68"><enum>(i)</enum><text>whether the employment of H–2A or unauthorized aliens in the United States agricultural work force has depressed United States farm worker wages below the levels that would otherwise have prevailed if alien farm workers had not been employed in the United States;</text></clause>
<clause id="HACEB1B1A457C4465ACD7E87EDB7EA000"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to prevent wages of United States farm workers in occupations in which H–2A workers are employed from falling below the wage levels that would have prevailed in the absence of the employment of H–2A workers in those occupations;</text></clause>
<clause id="HEF347675657E4AF6A6E05CD43034DD82"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>whether alternative wage standards, such as a prevailing wage standard, would be sufficient to prevent wages in occupations in which H–2A workers are employed from falling below the wage level that would have prevailed in the absence of H–2A employment;</text></clause>
<clause id="HE20C9A1CFAA74C1C952E5C559631E2D9"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>whether any changes are warranted in the current methodologies for calculating the adverse effect wage rate and the prevailing wage; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H3BC84BDDB0E74F3CA475FFE58B62E3E9"><enum>(v)</enum><text>recommendations for future wage protection under this section.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBA023E13355242B48D7D805F46702CB"><enum>(H)</enum><header>Commission on wage standards</header>
<clause id="H91A3437611C34258B1F196FE60378800"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established the Commission on Agricultural Wage Standards under the H–2A program (in this subparagraph referred to as the <quote>Commission</quote>).</text></clause>
<clause id="HBE7132AE63744261A5C0004148E17EEE"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Composition</header><text>The Commission shall consist of 10 members as follows:</text>
<subclause id="HEF7DD2660246483486272313ACB262CF"><enum>(I)</enum><text>4 representatives of agricultural employers and 1 representative of the Department of Agriculture, each appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HBDF916069D1F4EDCACC8A09E8D03DC25"><enum>(II)</enum><text>4 representatives of agricultural workers and 1 representative of the Department of Labor, each appointed by the Secretary of Labor.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HB18628AD228940FC8500D0F9E52D6EDD"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Commission shall conduct a study that shall address—</text>
<subclause id="HCEDD6A45A7D844139146E887E9BF8DE0"><enum>(I)</enum><text>whether the employment of H–2A or unauthorized aliens in the United States agricultural workforce has depressed United States farm worker wages below the levels that would otherwise have prevailed if alien farm workers had not been employed in the United States;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H282EDA46D10749A292DAC6B92FBB9C5F"><enum>(II)</enum><text>whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to prevent wages of United States farm workers in occupations in which H–2A workers are employed from falling below the wage levels that would have prevailed in the absence of the employment of H–2A workers in those occupations;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HA682A068E3D041CFA304A450C8C89D5B"><enum>(III)</enum><text>whether alternative wage standards, such as a prevailing wage standard, would be sufficient to prevent wages in occupations in which H–2A workers are employed from falling below the wage level that would have prevailed in the absence of H–2A employment;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H3E153AF164D54001ACFAD8043FEAC60"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>whether any changes are warranted in the current methodologies for calculating the adverse effect wage rate and the prevailing wage rate; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H51AD0A981B324FF79C215BA16AC1BF8"><enum>(V)</enum><text>recommendations for future wage protection under this section.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H3E746AD975354C04962189A23300CA7F"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than June 1, 2007, the Commission shall submit a report to the Congress setting forth the findings of the study conducted under clause (iii).</text></clause>
<clause id="H00F40B3D254D4F7486111F501C0076E6"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Termination date</header><text>The Commission shall terminate upon submitting its final report.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4A031D5F8B2B490F937662F8C416E7B4"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Guarantee of employment</header>
<subparagraph id="H52E4A58E318B4F10853C1D82CFCC9FE6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Offer to worker</header><text>The employer shall guarantee to offer the worker employment for the hourly equivalent of at least three-fourths of the work days of the total period of employment, beginning with the first work day after the arrival of the worker at the place of employment and ending on the expiration date specified in the job offer. For purposes of this subparagraph, the hourly equivalent means the number of hours in the work days as stated in the job offer and shall exclude the worker’s Sabbath and Federal holidays. If the employer affords the United States or H–2A worker less employment than that required under this paragraph, the employer shall pay such worker the amount which the worker would have earned had the worker, in fact, worked for the guaranteed number of hours.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8CF14DAF9266462EA7797DA07FB9BC50"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Failure to work</header><text>Any hours which the worker fails to work, up to a maximum of the number of hours specified in the job offer for a work day, when the worker has been offered an opportunity to do so, and all hours of work actually performed (including voluntary work in excess of the number of hours specified in the job offer in a work day, on the worker’s Sabbath, or on Federal holidays) may be counted by the employer in calculating whether the period of guaranteed employment has been met.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDF8616EDE86747E29CF5D805B68290FB"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Abandonment of employment, termination for cause</header><text>If the worker voluntarily abandons employment before the end of the contract period, or is terminated for cause, the worker is not entitled to the <quote>three-fourths guarantee</quote> described in subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAD2966BB7A2648498F39511099E06DC1"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Contract impossibility</header><text>If, before the expiration of the period of employment specified in the job offer, the services of the worker are no longer required for reasons beyond the control of the employer due to any form of natural disaster, including but not limited to a flood, hurricane, freeze, earthquake, fire, drought, plant or animal disease or pest infestation, or regulatory drought, before the guarantee in subparagraph (A) is fulfilled, the employer may terminate the worker’s employment. In the event of such termination, the employer shall fulfill the employment guarantee in subparagraph (A) for the work days that have elapsed from the first work day after the arrival of the worker to the termination of employment. In such cases, the employer will make efforts to transfer the United States worker to other comparable employment acceptable to the worker. If such transfer is not effected, the employer shall provide the return transportation required in paragraph (2)(D).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8C55E73388F24DB7B97B753BD9A52EED"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Motor vehicle safety</header>
<subparagraph id="H9A599C2E41284D5C98AF2CC371CF4351"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Mode of transportation subject to coverage</header>
<clause id="HDD7D9661972845DD9FF4C03E2F594F3C"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in clauses (iii) and (iv), this subsection applies to any H–2A employer that uses or causes to be used any vehicle to transport an H–2A worker within the United States.</text></clause>
<clause id="HE955D60FE85C4FF9BC6773F1252163EC"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Defined term</header><text>In this paragraph, the term <term>uses or causes to be used</term>—</text>
<subclause id="H14F7B491629644B49F784F8CC252DCC6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>applies only to transportation provided by an H–2A employer to an H–2A worker, or by a farm labor contractor to an H–2A worker at the request or direction of an H–2A employer; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HBDE214F99DE7493BABE56C6C3525D585"><enum>(II)</enum><text>does not apply to—</text>
<item id="HF576F9EF16D047E68468CE39D1CD65FF"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>transportation provided, or transportation arrangements made, by an H–2A worker, unless the employer specifically requested or arranged such transportation; or</text></item>
<item id="H8BFAA8BD58F94A5E8B62A2BACCB26400"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>car pooling arrangements made by H–2A workers themselves, using 1 of the workers’ own vehicles, unless specifically requested by the employer directly or through a farm labor contractor.</text></item></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H72964FDCA8E245BA82006375FF20304D"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Clarification</header><text>Providing a job offer to an H–2A worker that causes the worker to travel to or from the place of employment, or the payment or reimbursement of the transportation costs of an H–2A worker by an H–2A employer, shall not constitute an arrangement of, or participation in, such transportation.</text></clause>
<clause id="HEA9584D3FB7C4BF4B3114986AF43B699"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Agricultural machinery and equipment excluded</header><text>This subsection does not apply to the transportation of an H–2A worker on a tractor, combine, harvester, picker, or other similar machinery or equipment while such worker is actually engaged in the planting, cultivating, or harvesting of agricultural commodities or the care of livestock or poultry or engaged in transportation incidental thereto.</text></clause>
<clause id="H697FF697E80B4744A7C283CF5601D700"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Common carriers excluded</header><text>This subsection does not apply to common carrier motor vehicle transportation in which the provider holds itself out to the general public as engaging in the transportation of passengers for hire and holds a valid certification of authorization for such purposes from an appropriate Federal, State, or local agency.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1106E34A00DE4C14B81D7BB070D01838"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Applicability of standards, licensing, and insurance requirements</header>
<clause id="H0209DA31A2234E8E9C7206F611172DCA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>When using, or causing to be used, any vehicle for the purpose of providing transportation to which this subparagraph applies, each employer shall—</text>
<subclause id="H1E9D2F2B1D354EE4BA9C31C58FF486F5"><enum>(I)</enum><text>ensure that each such vehicle conforms to the standards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under section 401(b) of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/1841">29 U.S.C. 1841(b)</external-xref>) and other applicable Federal and State safety standards;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H20772F67A61A49358D79D287AFA7C967"><enum>(II)</enum><text>ensure that each driver has a valid and appropriate license, as provided by State law, to operate the vehicle; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HD6EA06756D064E109817235B653EBDD2"><enum>(III)</enum><text>have an insurance policy or a liability bond that is in effect which insures the employer against liability for damage to persons or property arising from the ownership, operation, or causing to be operated, of any vehicle used to transport any H–2A worker.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H3D2D8DCF88A4403D9D7CC192E2AAA1F7"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Amount of insurance required</header><text>The level of insurance required shall be determined by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to regulations to be issued under this subsection.</text></clause>
<clause id="H3E2A24082FB547E40082C4C40000E759"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Effect of workers’ compensation coverage</header><text>If the employer of any H–2A worker provides workers’ compensation coverage for such worker in the case of bodily injury or death as provided by State law, the following adjustments in the requirements of subparagraph (B)(i)(III) relating to having an insurance policy or liability bond apply:</text>
<subclause id="HD95334F9061347CFAD257EC2EF4E9FCF"><enum>(I)</enum><text>No insurance policy or liability bond shall be required of the employer, if such workers are transported only under circumstances for which there is coverage under such State law.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HD68BDE6810E145BDA3490835DCF1664D"><enum>(II)</enum><text>An insurance policy or liability bond shall be required of the employer for circumstances under which coverage for the transportation of such workers is not provided under such State law.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0F2D6DD6069C4613BD7E464651498C66"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Compliance with labor laws</header><text>An employer shall assure that, except as otherwise provided in this section, the employer will comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local labor laws, including laws affecting migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, with respect to all United States workers and alien workers employed by the employer, except that a violation of this assurance shall not constitute a violation of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/1801">29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HDD986D96EC8B44FB9CF6F23E842E13E7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Copy of job offer</header><text>The employer shall provide to the worker, not later than the day the work commences, a copy of the employer’s application and job offer described in section 218(a), or, if the employer will require the worker to enter into a separate employment contract covering the employment in question, such separate employment contract.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE1DEACF64B964BFAB68C99303F3EEF7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Range production of livestock</header><text>Nothing in this section, section 218, or section 218B shall preclude the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary from continuing to apply special procedures and requirements to the admission and employment of aliens in occupations involving the range production of livestock.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H28C68DD69745406CB5C9ED473BE50028"><enum>218B.</enum><header>Procedure for admission and extension of stay of H–2A workers</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HBE5949C1A1B54E7F924401B7EAA8A9AE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Petitioning for admission</header><text>An employer, or an association acting as an agent or joint employer for its members, that seeks the admission into the United States of an H–2A worker may file a petition with the Secretary. The petition shall be accompanied by an accepted and currently valid certification provided by the Secretary of Labor under section 218(e)(2)(B) covering the petitioner.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD873B4BC90B149778C3493B39900C057"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Expedited adjudication by the Secretary</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a procedure for expedited adjudication of petitions filed under subsection (a) and within 7 working days shall, by fax, cable, or other means assuring expedited delivery, transmit a copy of notice of action on the petition to the petitioner and, in the case of approved petitions, to the appropriate immigration officer at the port of entry or United States consulate (as the case may be) where the petitioner has indicated that the alien beneficiary (or beneficiaries) will apply for a visa or admission to the United States.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H28738C959C7246EAA0AD93DFF425F8D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criteria for admissibility</header>
<paragraph id="H43DD80A029B8483E81541642B26E1D2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An H–2A worker shall be considered admissible to the United States if the alien is otherwise admissible under this section, section 218, and section 218A, and the alien is not ineligible under paragraph (2).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0364ECCA5098478EB989FFD9D44E3D1F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Disqualification</header><text>An alien shall be considered inadmissible to the United States and ineligible for nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) if the alien has, at any time during the past 5 years—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF41DE02235B6454AA534F01F63683FFB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>violated a material provision of this section, including the requirement to promptly depart the United States when the alien’s authorized period of admission under this section has expired; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD25465162F4848589537F7E4AC330004"><enum>(B)</enum><text>otherwise violated a term or condition of admission into the United States as a nonimmigrant, including overstaying the period of authorized admission as such a nonimmigrant.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1F78C042FE9543A486B9DFFEA26174EE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Waiver of ineligibility for unlawful presence</header>
<subparagraph id="HB675311E9DF642B3B17402AE598CF546"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An alien who has not previously been admitted into the United States pursuant to this section, and who is otherwise eligible for admission in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), shall not be deemed inadmissible by virtue of section 212(a)(9)(B). If an alien described in the preceding sentence is present in the United States, the alien may apply from abroad for H–2A status, but may not be granted that status in the United States.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE48C102A17FE4132BFE579E74812FAF6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Maintenance of waiver</header><text>An alien provided an initial waiver of ineligibility pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall remain eligible for such waiver unless the alien violates the terms of this section or again becomes ineligible under section 212(a)(9)(B) by virtue of unlawful presence in the United States after the date of the initial waiver of ineligibility pursuant to subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9D68AD484EDF45EB968321BAEAB291EE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Period of admission</header>
<paragraph id="H075937A72C5247ABAB8926125B1EC00"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The alien shall be admitted for the period of employment in the application certified by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to section 218(e)(2)(B), not to exceed 10 months, supplemented by a period of not more than 1 week before the beginning of the period of employment for the purpose of travel to the work site and a period of 14 days following the period of employment for the purpose of departure or extension based on a subsequent offer of employment, except that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H357EE1F45BFC44D7AB933EFD9D7EA8E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the alien is not authorized to be employed during such 14-day period except in the employment for which the alien was previously authorized; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HED25B4D7DF0E406CAD401E58D1D321AA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the total period of employment, including such 14-day period, may not exceed 10 months.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA34C54E3F8B49748BBA3BEDC2DA5414"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall limit the authority of the Secretary to extend the stay of the alien under any other provision of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7352849DDAB74423B7788FBB66E2779"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Abandonment of employment</header>
<paragraph id="H219FECF08DD943C3B0B1560085115F6E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An alien admitted or provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) who abandons the employment which was the basis for such admission or status shall be considered to have failed to maintain nonimmigrant status as an H–2A worker and shall depart the United States or be subject to removal under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB97DD4DD69E1431781760023B8C309C3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report by employer</header><text>The employer, or association acting as agent for the employer, shall notify the Secretary not later than 7 days after an H–2A worker prematurely abandons employment.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB7FBC375FC0641A4B099CFBA7ABA156"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Removal by the Secretary</header><text>The Secretary shall promptly remove from the United States any H–2A worker who violates any term or condition of the worker’s nonimmigrant status.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H154BA2B177AF495C8279239D69D3B64"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Voluntary termination</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an alien may voluntarily terminate his or her employment if the alien promptly departs the United States upon termination of such employment.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6EC67044DEDF4B66ADAFC6094F46D56B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Replacement of alien</header>
<paragraph id="HBC089CD50CD548BC86CBFE411095CE14"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Upon presentation of the notice to the Secretary required by subsection (e)(2), the Secretary of State shall promptly issue a visa to, and the Secretary shall admit into the United States, an eligible alien designated by the employer to replace an H–2A worker—</text>
<subparagraph id="H78CCFEC24F7A4F13B0A400ACEEE8F9CD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who abandons or prematurely terminates employment; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8E7BFEA15C8C419B8DC55525177D1425"><enum>(B)</enum><text>whose employment is terminated after a United States worker is employed pursuant to section 218(b)(2)(H)(iii), if the United States worker voluntarily departs before the end of the period of intended employment or if the employment termination is for a lawful job-related reason.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC716932C6E0C47C3B0ADD0149F8EE2E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit any preference required to be accorded United States workers under any other provision of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H26F50C4F8C7C4D77AB34A5BD00D0FC73"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Identification document</header>
<paragraph id="HD655F85C4BD34324A294E9D086108F77"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each alien authorized to be admitted under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) shall be provided an identification and employment eligibility document to verify eligibility for employment in the United States and verify such person’s proper identity.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCE85BEB569B44F9D8158FB60D293AD44"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>No identification and employment eligibility document may be issued which does not meet the following requirements:</text>
<subparagraph id="H7C1B2A499EBE454CBA10DB760028C475"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The document shall be capable of reliably determining whether—</text>
<clause id="H27935C4E6F9C44D2B81E14E2F315B951"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the individual with the identification and employment eligibility document whose eligibility is being verified is in fact eligible for employment;</text></clause>
<clause id="H59E03CD8BA144EE88E00D45F1BE28BE7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the individual whose eligibility is being verified is claiming the identity of another person; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HE28ADC648AC843FB891F9ECA7D1D2647"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the individual whose eligibility is being verified is authorized to be admitted into, and employed in, the United States as an H–2A worker.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5F006FDC037946BDBD3B1269FA625B00"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The document shall be in a form that is resistant to counterfeiting and to tampering.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA1C631657E6943EB9D5440F2AF647C3B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The document shall—</text>
<clause id="HCF1C5EFCBDE643D182246030A1560037"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be compatible with other databases of the Secretary for the purpose of excluding aliens from benefits for which they are not eligible and determining whether the alien is unlawfully present in the United States; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HBA404C3206D649059F008D134E5CA8AB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>be compatible with law enforcement databases to determine if the alien has been convicted of criminal offenses.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8B45B2525FCA4904B3DA0087195F1418"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Extension of stay of h–2A aliens in the United States</header>
<paragraph id="H475B027D853B44CC8F00B50087F7D418"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Extension of stay</header><text>If an employer seeks approval to employ an H–2A alien who is lawfully present in the United States, the petition filed by the employer or an association pursuant to subsection (a), shall request an extension of the alien’s stay and a change in the alien’s employment.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEE957A759D7A475597AB864E9FF26C7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation on filing a petition for extension of stay</header><text>A petition may not be filed for an extension of an alien’s stay—</text>
<subparagraph id="H06ABABF0A4BD4FF888E7094269F632FE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for a period of more than 10 months; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB84E69AE87364F6FBFA16300E13F1DA3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to a date that is more than 3 years after the date of the alien’s last admission to the United States under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE859483D0DD04B469E6528FC4350ED89"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Work authorization upon filing a petition for extension of stay</header>
<subparagraph id="HDC7407C8F8AD45668C7FB6A57749E1B2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An alien who is lawfully present in the United States may commence the employment described in a petition under paragraph (1) on the date on which the petition is filed.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAB9351C5D8A54CC2A16C50992B33B6CE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term <term>file</term> means sending the petition by certified mail via the United States Postal Service, return receipt requested, or delivered by guaranteed commercial delivery which will provide the employer with a documented acknowledgment of the date of receipt of the petition.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCDB828269322403BBA16E65BEA1F61F0"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Handling of petition</header><text>The employer shall provide a copy of the employer’s petition to the alien, who shall keep the petition with the alien’s identification and employment eligibility document as evidence that the petition has been filed and that the alien is authorized to work in the United States.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2D7B280DF4A745EABD1116D58E6B79"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Approval of petition</header><text>Upon approval of a petition for an extension of stay or change in the alien’s authorized employment, the Secretary shall provide a new or updated employment eligibility document to the alien indicating the new validity date, after which the alien is not required to retain a copy of the petition.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFB155DC200A14D70B143AB559B2C0500"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation on employment authorization of aliens without valid identification and employment eligibility document</header><text>An expired identification and employment eligibility document, together with a copy of a petition for extension of stay or change in the alien’s authorized employment that complies with the requirements of paragraph (1), shall constitute a valid work authorization document for a period of not more than 60 days beginning on the date on which such petition is filed, after which time only a currently valid identification and employment eligibility document shall be acceptable.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE5CF9CB8BF2C415A00E69E08212764A0"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Limitation on an individual’s stay in status</header>
<subparagraph id="H20B5E10D52A64720B5C393F090D664BC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Maximum period</header><text>The maximum continuous period of authorized status as an H–2A worker (including any extensions) is 3 years.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H66CCCA0C0FAD4F4F00DC9D44D7C8F603"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement to remain outside the United States</header>
<clause id="H91DE85B1D2EE4C689D5187868900E55F"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), in the case of an alien outside the United States whose period of authorized status as an H–2A worker (including any extensions) has expired, the alien may not again apply for admission to the United States as an H–2A worker unless the alien has remained outside the United States for a continuous period equal to at least <fraction>1/5</fraction> the duration of the alien’s previous period of authorized status as an H–2A worker (including any extensions).</text></clause>
<clause id="H32C5C0C3520C47F88273BF456D93BD5F"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Clause (i) shall not apply in the case of an alien if the alien’s period of authorized status as an H–2A worker (including any extensions) was for a period of not more than 10 months and such alien has been outside the United States for at least 2 months during the 12 months preceding the date the alien again is applying for admission to the United States as an H–2A worker.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF094E691C42549D686FF422761F2C066"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Special rules for aliens employed as sheepherders</header><text>Notwithstanding any provision of the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005, aliens admitted under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) for employment as sheepherders—</text>
<paragraph id="HA9D04950CDD1465FA857C0EFACAAC154"><enum>(1)</enum><text>may be admitted for a period of 12 months;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H69C7E289E1B74C74944FFD55868ED201"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may be extended for a continuous period of up to 3 years; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD4340C524A1E49D6A8FB16231FC45D52"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (h)(5) relating to periods of absence from the United States.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H54E253FAC1354473986338D00940B9C5"><enum>218C.</enum><header>Worker protections and labor standards enforcement</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H9EE8328AA13448F8A50000BF53C8B257"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Enforcement authority</header>
<paragraph id="H077629C9C0554B0DBC681F6C345BC27F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Investigation of complaints</header>
<subparagraph id="HB8D99258C7A74D1ABF0063D073B4F6B3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Aggrieved person or third-party complaints</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall establish a process for the receipt, investigation, and disposition of complaints respecting a petitioner’s failure to meet a condition specified in section 218(b), or an employer’s misrepresentation of material facts in an application under section 218(a). Complaints may be filed by any aggrieved person or organization (including bargaining representatives). No investigation or hearing shall be conducted on a complaint concerning such a failure or misrepresentation unless the complaint was filed not later than 12 months after the date of the failure, or misrepresentation, respectively. The Secretary of Labor shall conduct an investigation under this subparagraph if there is reasonable cause to believe that such a failure or misrepresentation has occurred.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4CE3912A8C43456A9DD765F5D77D597B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Determination on complaint</header><text>Under such process, the Secretary of Labor shall provide, within 30 days after the date such a complaint is filed, for a determination as to whether or not a reasonable basis exists to make a finding described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), or (H). If the Secretary of Labor determines that such a reasonable basis exists, the Secretary of Labor shall provide for notice of such determination to the interested parties and an opportunity for a hearing on the complaint, in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/556">section 556</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, within 60 days after the date of the determination. If such a hearing is requested, the Secretary of Labor shall make a finding concerning the matter not later than 60 days after the date of the hearing. In the case of similar complaints respecting the same applicant, the Secretary of Labor may consolidate the hearings under this subparagraph on such complaints.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H710098AA08BF4FF2BF267F803F420390"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Failures to meet conditions</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B), (1)(D), (1)(F), (2)(A), (2)(B), or (2)(G) of section 218(b), a substantial failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(C), (1)(E), (2)(C), (2)(D), (2)(E), or (2)(H) of section 218(b), or a material misrepresentation of fact in an application under section 218(a)—</text>
<clause id="HE67310A5495D418E87DF56F014D29784"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of such finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies (including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation) as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H80C6BF8AD4724838BBE2ECF1C3EE7608"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the employment of aliens described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) for a period of 1 year.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H729882AF713942B596CDCFE0F600E5EA"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Willful failures and willful misrepresentations</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of section 218(b), a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in an application under section 218(a), or a violation of subsection (d)(1)—</text>
<clause id="HC622B91A39164BE3846C924FD4CB2C85"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of such finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies (including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per violation) as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFA27F32343B1495C83A94D9CFE9214F7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Secretary of Labor may seek appropriate legal or equitable relief to effectuate the purposes of subsection (d)(1); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H65D7A997AE404241ACDFAE1E23A1F55"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 2 years.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7D3DB3239E2840DB90C36598AEB246A1"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Displacement of United States workers</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of section 218(b) or a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in an application under section 218(a), in the course of which failure or misrepresentation the employer displaced a United States worker employed by the employer during the period of employment on the employer’s application under section 218(a) or during the period of 30 days preceding such period of employment—</text>
<clause id="HFEE5F639C32B4515A67DED2FA6B500D8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of such finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies (including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $15,000 per violation) as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H28F71F3D4AA3484684FE02EDDB742E47"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 3 years.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD458F4B6DFD245969BBAFF508FEF25B"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Limitations on civil money penalties</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall not impose total civil money penalties with respect to an application under section 218(a) in excess of $90,000.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6589B3590D4440689275CFC65B069EBD"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Failures to pay wages or required benefits</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that the employer has failed to pay the wages, or provide the housing allowance, transportation, subsistence reimbursement, or guarantee of employment, required under section 218A(b), the Secretary of Labor shall assess payment of back wages, or other required benefits, due any United States worker or H–2A worker employed by the employer in the specific employment in question. The back wages or other required benefits under section 218A(b) shall be equal to the difference between the amount that should have been paid and the amount that actually was paid to such worker.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6EA2FDC03C2A46AC8EF48D579B009B85"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Statutory construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary of Labor to conduct any compliance investigation under any other labor law, including any law affecting migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, or, in the absence of a complaint under this section, under section 218 or 218A.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC42BC7BCE96947BA80F51329904D0085"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rights enforceable by private right of action</header><text>H–2A workers may enforce the following rights through the private right of action provided in subsection (c), and no other right of action shall exist under Federal or State law to enforce such rights:</text>
<paragraph id="H3BF1E5D57D684BCEB0F34327F4D8CFE3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The providing of housing or a housing allowance as required under section 218A(b)(1).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD8159BA844284BD19E8482E6B0004491"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The reimbursement of transportation as required under section 218A(b)(2).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9B4989E5B7F84EDF9B4B9D613573B0A9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The payment of wages required under section 218A(b)(3) when due.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H22CA911EB2844026BEB800F731C68BCE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The benefits and material terms and conditions of employment expressly provided in the job offer described in section 218(a)(2), not including the assurance to comply with other Federal, State, and local labor laws described in section 218A(c), compliance with which shall be governed by the provisions of such laws.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6A251B7F34B04BF792E7CD54E2A0883B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The guarantee of employment required under section 218A(b)(4).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H287053FE89EF4E61A0ED5D7E13BC5035"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The motor vehicle safety requirements under section 218A(b)(5).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H00EC3AEA4E3D48938D4966CB605DA9D0"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The prohibition of discrimination under subsection (d)(2).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF2E21D7CE0B24B9EBC085B851435C980"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Private right of action</header>
<paragraph id="HE25DA5AF961B4F6EA824C29853BE2EFE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Mediation</header><text>Upon the filing of a complaint by an H–2A worker aggrieved by a violation of rights enforceable under subsection (b), and within 60 days of the filing of proof of service of the complaint, a party to the action may file a request with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist the parties in reaching a satisfactory resolution of all issues involving all parties to the dispute. Upon a filing of such request and giving of notice to the parties, the parties shall attempt mediation within the period specified in subparagraph (B).</text>
<subparagraph id="H6B6656A030E44912006C68F5FAE9F461"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Mediation services</header><text>The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall be available to assist in resolving disputes arising under subsection (b) between H–2A workers and agricultural employers without charge to the parties.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5BF854E947154EE49657A228C2B552A9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>90-day limit</header><text>The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service may conduct mediation or other non-binding dispute resolution activities for a period not to exceed 90 days beginning on the date on which the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service receives the request for assistance unless the parties agree to an extension of this period of time.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H538ADC88C7AE485FB8A0AE15982513F4"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Authorization</header>
<clause id="HC4F1A6D7BECF495ABFF8454BEB45C7D2"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service $500,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this section.</text></clause>
<clause id="H3ED3E34A871145DDA7C8073426005544"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Mediation</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is authorized to conduct the mediation or other dispute resolution activities from any other appropriated funds available to the Director and to reimburse such appropriated funds when the funds are appropriated pursuant to this authorization, such reimbursement to be credited to appropriations currently available at the time of receipt.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC1C7DA37DF0141CA9477083379778662"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Maintenance of civil action in district court by aggrieved person</header><text>An H–2A worker aggrieved by a violation of rights enforceable under subsection (b) by an agricultural employer or other person may file suit in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the parties, without regard to the amount in controversy, without regard to the citizenship of the parties, and without regard to the exhaustion of any alternative administrative remedies under this Act, not later than 3 years after the date the violation occurs.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFB925AE18C094D648C028C3EEEA0CC96"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Election</header><text>An H–2A worker who has filed an administrative complaint with the Secretary of Labor may not maintain a civil action under paragraph (2) unless a complaint based on the same violation filed with the Secretary of Labor under subsection (a)(1) is withdrawn before the filing of such action, in which case the rights and remedies available under this subsection shall be exclusive.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6CAE3750C05C4A5BA09052B175252CE8"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Preemption of State contract rights</header><text>Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the rights and remedies of an H–2A worker under any other Federal or State law or regulation or under any collective bargaining agreement, except that no court or administrative action shall be available under any State contract law to enforce the rights created by this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H01776135BB1447908FBD0089368F3631"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Waiver of rights prohibited</header><text>Agreements by employees purporting to waive or modify their rights under this Act shall be void as contrary to public policy, except that a waiver or modification of the rights or obligations in favor of the Secretary of Labor shall be valid for purposes of the enforcement of this Act. The preceding sentence may not be construed to prohibit agreements to settle private disputes or litigation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H88C47C9BEE4B4F78A618BBE6A729C44F"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Award of damages or other equitable relief</header>
<subparagraph id="H40F9C39A5F8C467B9C433982967E878D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>If the court finds that the respondent has intentionally violated any of the rights enforceable under subsection (b), it shall award actual damages, if any, or equitable relief.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFACB6F6F30134F29A803469CFE1C6F2C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Any civil action brought under this section shall be subject to appeal as provided in <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/28/83">chapter 83</external-xref> of title 28, United States Code.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H535CEA070A9446A58420AFF76D5F0081"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Workers’ compensation benefits; exclusive remedy</header>
<subparagraph id="H714054FE738C4C1A954EABF80858249F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a State’s workers’ compensation law is applicable and coverage is provided for an H–2A worker, the workers’ compensation benefits shall be the exclusive remedy for the loss of such worker under this section in the case of bodily injury or death in accordance with such State’s workers’ compensation law.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H17439F9DBA1B46C585BD3FBAD8CA0CB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The exclusive remedy prescribed in subparagraph (A) precludes the recovery under paragraph (6) of actual damages for loss from an injury or death but does not preclude other equitable relief, except that such relief shall not include back or front pay or in any manner, directly or indirectly, expand or otherwise alter or affect—</text>
<clause id="H906ABA0B71824255900000D73C267C00"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a recovery under a State workers’ compensation law; or</text></clause>
<clause id="HD11009F5F1944947B7CF56FBF7691D9E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>rights conferred under a State workers’ compensation law.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H995E25EABEB94CD9828014DB09DB951F"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Tolling of statute of limitations</header><text>If it is determined under a State workers’ compensation law that the workers’ compensation law is not applicable to a claim for bodily injury or death of an H–2A worker, the statute of limitations for bringing an action for actual damages for such injury or death under subsection (c) shall be tolled for the period during which the claim for such injury or death under such State workers’ compensation law was pending. The statute of limitations for an action for actual damages or other equitable relief arising out of the same transaction or occurrence as the injury or death of the H–2A worker shall be tolled for the period during which the claim for such injury or death was pending under the State workers’ compensation law.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H73542D358F6943A58B602D0106948D62"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Preclusive effect</header><text>Any settlement by an H–2A worker and H–2A employer reached through the mediation process required under subsection (c)(1) shall preclude any right of action arising out of the same facts between the parties in any Federal or State court or administrative proceeding, unless specifically provided otherwise in the settlement agreement.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6CB7561AA40E42F0AFCD542FD243BC43"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Settlements</header><text>Any settlement by the Secretary of Labor with an H–2A employer on behalf of an H–2A worker of a complaint filed with the Secretary of Labor under this section or any finding by the Secretary of Labor under subsection (a)(1)(B) shall preclude any right of action arising out of the same facts between the parties under any Federal or State court or administrative proceeding, unless specifically provided otherwise in the settlement agreement.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6F5B097733BB49E6B4D4218EED00E9B6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Discrimination prohibited</header>
<paragraph id="HED4CF22A5A4542520069DB01F04BE42"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>It is a violation of this subsection for any person who has filed an application under section 218(a), to intimidate, threaten, restrain, coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee (which term, for purposes of this subsection, includes a former employee and an applicant for employment) because the employee has disclosed information to the employer, or to any other person, that the employee reasonably believes evidences a violation of section 218 or 218A or any rule or regulation pertaining to section 218 or 218A, or because the employee cooperates or seeks to cooperate in an investigation or other proceeding concerning the employer’s compliance with the requirements of section 218 or 218A or any rule or regulation pertaining to either of such sections.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H993A4189CF174A38817DCAD6CE4576E5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Discrimination against h–2a workers</header><text>It is a violation of this subsection for any person who has filed an application under section 218(a), to intimidate, threaten, restrain, coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any manner discriminate against an H–2A employee because such worker has, with just cause, filed a complaint with the Secretary of Labor regarding a denial of the rights enumerated and enforceable under subsection (b) or instituted, or caused to be instituted, a private right of action under subsection (c) regarding the denial of the rights enumerated under subsection (b), or has testified or is about to testify in any court proceeding brought under subsection (c).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1CCAC36E65754A5587A292995475273F"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization to seek other appropriate employment</header><text>The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary shall establish a process under which an H–2A worker who files a complaint regarding a violation of subsection (d) and is otherwise eligible to remain and work in the United States may be allowed to seek other appropriate employment in the United States for a period not to exceed the maximum period of stay authorized for such nonimmigrant classification.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H6727D7BD442841F599BC1611C8A958E4"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Role of associations</header>
<paragraph id="H1426A3C023EF4F81B413C5F0FD001276"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Violation by a member of an association</header><text>An employer on whose behalf an application is filed by an association acting as its agent is fully responsible for such application, and for complying with the terms and conditions of sections 218 and 218A, as though the employer had filed the application itself. If such an employer is determined, under this section, to have committed a violation, the penalty for such violation shall apply only to that member of the association unless the Secretary of Labor determines that the association or other member participated in, had knowledge, or reason to know, of the violation, in which case the penalty shall be invoked against the association or other association member as well.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HECD36F36724941558C1EFF723C9672C5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Violations by an association acting as an employer</header><text>If an association filing an application as a sole or joint employer is determined to have committed a violation under this section, the penalty for such violation shall apply only to the association unless the Secretary of Labor determines that an association member or members participated in or had knowledge, or reason to know of the violation, in which case the penalty shall be invoked against the association member or members as well.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H1FDB67B909B24AD7BDC1652C54C9CC77"><enum>218D.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For purposes of sections 218 through 218C:</text>
<paragraph id="H98DCDDD5C8914F89941E083DCBDB6EC8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Agricultural employment</header><text>The term <term>agricultural employment</term> means any service or activity that is considered to be agricultural under section 3(f) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/203">29 U.S.C. 203(f)</external-xref>) or agricultural labor under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/3121">section 3121(g)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/3121">26 U.S.C. 3121(g)</external-xref>). For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural employment includes employment under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H23928AB107054395AB85D124A4020752"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bona fide union</header><text>The term <term>bona fide union</term> means any organization in which employees participate and which exists for the purpose of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or other terms and conditions of work for agricultural employees. Such term does not include an organization formed, created, administered, supported, dominated, financed, or controlled by an employer or employer association or its agents or representatives.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC54C7001F96D4303B1AD5371861F8828"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Displace</header><text>The term <term>displace</term>, in the case of an application with respect to 1 or more H–2A workers by an employer, means laying off a United States worker from a job for which the H–2A worker or workers is or are sought.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA5CE0DE455544267A33181F51146BDE2"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Eligible</header><text>The term <term>eligible</term>, when used with respect to an individual, means an individual who is not an unauthorized alien (as defined in section 274A(h)(3)).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8A38E75E44E04B0EBF20D2D205DAB9CD"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Employer</header><text>The term <term>employer</term> means any person or entity, including any farm labor contractor and any agricultural association, that employs workers in agricultural employment.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2FB7BFBCB54148D3AA75E17B9300933F"><enum>(6)</enum><header>H-2a employer</header><text>The term <term>H–2A employer</term> means an employer who seeks to hire 1 or more nonimmigrant aliens described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H831651BA097F403D9DC5A87FC34354EF"><enum>(7)</enum><header>H-2a worker</header><text>The term <term>H–2A worker</term> means a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE7B28F9101164C33ABBB79DDF7A3705B"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Job opportunity</header><text>The term <term>job opportunity</term> means a job opening for temporary full-time employment at a place in the United States to which United States workers can be referred.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H31FD647D51934B129C95ACA370F34D20"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Lays off</header>
<subparagraph id="HE6AC40B2D5DE4FD9833F91C73B40D77E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>lays off</term>, with respect to a worker—</text>
<clause id="H786412AF4CF546E2B1BE82B800FDE420"><enum>(i)</enum><text>means to cause the worker’s loss of employment, other than through a discharge for inadequate performance, violation of workplace rules, cause, voluntary departure, voluntary retirement, contract impossibility (as described in section 218A(b)(4)(D)), or temporary layoffs due to weather, markets, or other temporary conditions; but</text></clause>
<clause id="H524EBA00697242EFBAED00DF25D9A6A1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>does not include any situation in which the worker is offered, as an alternative to such loss of employment, a similar employment opportunity with the same employer (or, in the case of a placement of a worker with another employer under section 218(b)(2)(E), with either employer described in such section) at equivalent or higher compensation and benefits than the position from which the employee was discharged, regardless of whether or not the employee accepts the offer.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC01E0EAA040943CCBA006BEE8E3E4BB8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Statutory construction</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph is intended to limit an employee’s rights under a collective bargaining agreement or other employment contract.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB170AF95A16F480C8149FC9F52BA1C38"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Regulatory drought</header><text>The term <term>regulatory drought</term> means a decision subsequent to the filing of the application under section 218 by an entity not under the control of the employer making such filing which restricts the employer’s access to water for irrigation purposes and reduces or limits the employer’s ability to produce an agricultural commodity, thereby reducing the need for labor.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3E8BC9BEAEFC4FDDB10743BFB3E2014D"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Seasonal</header><text>Labor is performed on a <quote>seasonal</quote> basis if—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA9BD84C063AB488196EF4BB3017940F3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>ordinarily, it pertains to or is of the kind exclusively performed at certain seasons or periods of the year; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8CDA6802925F4656BC25760098930025"><enum>(B)</enum><text>from its nature, it may not be continuous or carried on throughout the year.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD6C61C28E28F42F6ACAE6E2C1242FA23"><enum>(12)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Homeland Security.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H186610225E4B4C218D6FFEAD57A8B97C"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Temporary</header><text>A worker is employed on a <quote>temporary</quote> basis where the employment is intended not to exceed 10 months.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCB5254BC1D194591B3925D570005E5DB"><enum>(14)</enum><header>United States worker</header><text>The term <term>United States worker</term> means any worker, whether a United States citizen or national, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, or any other alien, who is authorized to work in the job opportunity within the United States, except an alien admitted or otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text></paragraph></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H8D1B5643A4DA4FF6854DEC76BAB01869"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by striking the item relating to section 218 and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="H66CDD29237154117A4D2BA706E61B5BC" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218. H–2A employer applications.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218A. H–2A employment requirements.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218B. Procedure for admission and extension of stay of H–2A workers.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218C. Worker protections and labor standards enforcement.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218D. Definitions.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<enum>III</enum><header>Miscellaneous Provisions</header>
<section id="H4F6104170A7F4849A97F0003CA12B8EC"><enum>301.</enum><header>Determination and use of user fees</header>
<subsection id="HE7E87D4022E04EAF89DF4B77BC624989"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Schedule of fees</header><text>The Secretary shall establish and periodically adjust a schedule of fees for the employment of aliens under this Act, and a collection process for such fees from employers participating in the program provided under this Act. Such fees shall be the only fees chargeable to employers for services provided under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HBE742E461C4B4176BF91B773D1C55A9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Determination of schedule</header>
<paragraph id="HC0F492ACEF8E41A8BBE2AB8F4DD9BA4E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The schedule under subsection (a) shall reflect a fee rate based on the number of job opportunities indicated in the employer’s application under section 218 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name>, as added by section 201 of this Act, and sufficient to provide for the direct costs of providing services related to an employer’s authorization to employ eligible aliens pursuant to this Act, to include the certification of eligible employers, the issuance of documentation, and the admission of eligible aliens.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBC22145300284368A0EFA537444C0053"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Procedure</header>
<subparagraph id="H3DA712971B654FC182BCD47BE00A2C9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In establishing and adjusting such a schedule, the Secretary shall comply with Federal cost accounting and fee setting standards.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2007C8C018BC45F38E6F977F891DA41C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Publication and comment</header><text>The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register an initial fee schedule and associated collection process and the cost data or estimates upon which such fee schedule is based, and any subsequent amendments thereto, pursuant to which public comment shall be sought and a final rule issued.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5B690C7B4E9D408DB0C3A35872001EAE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of proceeds</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all proceeds resulting from the payment of the alien employment user fees shall be available without further appropriation and shall remain available without fiscal year limitation to reimburse the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Labor for the costs of carrying out sections 218 and 218B of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name>, as added by section 201 of this Act, and the provisions of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H0C5BCBE4E9564012BC09BBAEA0437097"><enum>302.</enum><header>Regulations</header>
<subsection id="H22CC0F6F7B3541C5BA9CEAFEC8C73BAC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Regulations of the Secretary</header><text>The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Agriculture on all regulations to implement the duties of the Secretary under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HABD93553AB7C4BEAA5C88302F73648B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regulations of the Secretary of State</header><text>The Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Agriculture on all regulations to implement the duties of the Secretary of State under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8C52C950287E417CB16B176000340041"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations of the Secretary of Labor</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary on all regulations to implement the duties of the Secretary of Labor under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H275F4AD2F7F241A2BD005E1B7B8DF098"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Deadline for issuance of regulations</header><text>All regulations to implement the duties of the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Labor created under sections 218, 218A, 218B, and 218C of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name>, as added by section 201, shall take effect on the effective date of section 201 and shall be issued not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H681A8A81F2384B5B94BD33BC5F4B685E"><enum>303.</enum><header>Effective date</header>
<subsection id="H8A883D244A624CB8009C03706CB17F9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as otherwise provided, sections 201 and 301 shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4300C8FC120B4CC0871DBDD46396AEC4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the measures being taken and the progress made in implementing this Act.</text></subsection></section>