1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Agricultural Employment and
Workforce Protection Act of 2005
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
TITLE I—Border Security
Sec. 101. Comprehensive plan to control the borders of the
United States.
Sec. 102. Use of Department of Defense equipment for
surveillance of international land borders of the United States.
Sec. 103. Ports of entry.
Sec. 104. Additional customs and border protection
officers.
Sec. 105. Interior enforcement.
Sec. 106. Expanding category of inadmissible
aliens.
TITLE II—Temporary H–2A Workers
Sec. 201. Definition.
Sec. 202. Admission of temporary H–2A workers.
Sec. 203. Legal assistance from the Legal Services
Corporation.
TITLE III—Blue Card Program
Sec. 301. Admission of necessary agricultural
workers.
Sec. 302. Effective date.
<enum>I</enum><header>Border
Security</header>
<section id="ID9ac7195cc4bc4f2f92c9ad80b177a38d"><enum>101.</enum><header>Comprehensive
plan to control the borders of the United States</header>
<subsection id="IDeb9eb031e9434c1e874fe962d664eba2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prepare and
submit to Congress, at the earliest practicable date, a comprehensive plan
to—</text>
<paragraph id="id41E53174231841C880A5548BDDBD08C4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>establish
operational control of the borders of the United States; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC1AA003FE17F4193B77DD6E34B64AF13"><enum>(2)</enum><text>effectively
enforce the immigration laws of the United States in the interior of the United
States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE6408FF7FEB54DCEA746DBC139B1097F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
plan described in subsection (a) shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="id57C4AEFB3B974FEFA9486E616EB71C11"><enum>(1)</enum><text>detailed
strategies;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0F048A138A3E400AB375866AA4B49BA0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>time lines for
implementation; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id302A72C3E6A4406E82332D2A33C15FDE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>cost estimates
for such activities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDe0cccf8f9c334d47966953030a16c79e"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Interim
plan</header><text>The mandates contained in this title shall serve as an
interim plan until Congress enacts legislation to implement the comprehensive
plan submitted by the Secretary of Homeland Security under subsection
(a).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDd709ed43970144a6b42cf5be1cb76a5d"><enum>102.</enum><header>Use of
Department of Defense equipment for surveillance of international land borders
of the United States</header>
<subsection id="IDecf2a99c9d3b4bf5ba86ce89c94c6325"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Availability of
equipment</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security, in collaboration
with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop and implement a plan to provide
military support to civilian law enforcement agencies, including the use of
unmanned aerial vehicles, other surveillance equipment, and other equipment of
the Department of Defense, to assist the surveillance activities of the
Department of Homeland Security at and near the international land borders of
the United States.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDad0ce92ac94c42789628356599279069"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="id8CC288890C874C318B7549BEE5CA7AAB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial
report</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense shall
submit a joint report to Congress, which describes the use of Department of
Defense equipment to assist the surveillance efforts of the Department of
Homeland Security and to support the plan developed under subsection
(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7f1254fec8134cb88918970eb170844b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Annual
reports</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, and annually thereafter until the Secretary of Homeland Security can
procure the equipment necessary to achieve operational control of the
international land borders of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland
Security and the Secretary of Defense shall submit joint reports to Congress
that describe—</text>
<subparagraph id="idC0CB82CDB5D84DFCB229BBA420192D3C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the types of
equipment and other support utilized for border security; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA1E83646965A43CC95DFC787C7AD3B7C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the effectiveness
of such equipment and support.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDef249164db4b420b92962cbb83d9bae0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDa3b467b1c5b040ef9511f85341ff1124"><enum>103.</enum><header>Ports of
entry</header>
<subsection id="ID116dd89155004e0fabc95a014ecac76b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Construction
authorized</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security may construct not
more than 30 additional land ports of entry along the northern and southern
international land borders of the United States at locations to be determined
by the Secretary if such construction will enhance the border security of the
United States.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6559f699d3ee440d8dde33ac74b0b5ad"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out subsection (a).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDbb67735f70eb4ba7ab545897f4aeb909"><enum>104.</enum><header>Additional
customs and border protection officers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In addition to the positions authorized by
section 5202 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
(Public Law 108–458; 118 Stat. 3734), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall,
for each of the fiscal years between fiscal year 2007 and 2011, increase by no
less than 250 the number of positions for full-time active duty Customs and
Border Protection Officers.</text>
</section><section id="idD1CADB60720944D0B5050B8C07302C7A"><enum>105.</enum><header>Interior
enforcement</header>
<subsection id="ID88f85846ffad4044b6b6f2478ddb7868"><enum>(a)</enum><header>State and local
immigration law enforcement</header>
<paragraph id="ID85d48381facf40b49294554f9608e68b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, appropriately
trained law enforcement personnel of a State or a unit of local government are
authorized to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, or transfer to
Federal custody aliens in the United States (including the transportation of
such aliens across State lines to detention centers), for the purpose of
assisting in the enforcement of the immigration laws of the United States in
the normal course of carrying out the law enforcement duties of such
personnel.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFE9021E816FD4E1F88287554A7376E71"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reimbursement
of costs</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall reimburse
States and units of local government for all reasonable costs incurred by that
State or local government to carry out the activities described in paragraph
(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID21acc46a398342728cdeea48479244cd"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Federal custody
of illegal aliens apprehended by State or local law
enforcement</header><text>Title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act is
amended by adding after section 240C the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2F556F53AF9C4BDAB2224C8E2EE3FBB5" style="traditional">
<section id="id33A56BB7D2F54AA59B820D8480B9EA89"><enum>240D.</enum><header>Transfer of illegal aliens from State to Federal
custody</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6BEACD99D669417195110C08F0DCFF68"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If the head of a law enforcement entity of a State, or a
political subdivision of a State, requests the Secretary of Homeland Security
to take an illegal alien into Federal custody, the Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID208d519eb35c46c4b5f6ec6f0b912727"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 72
hours after such request is received from the State, take such alien into the
custody of the Federal Government and incarcerate the alien; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDaf4f7e98942f4297ae28d0f346d0408c"><enum>(2)</enum><text>request the
relevant State or local law enforcement agency to temporarily detain or
transport the illegal alien to a location for transfer to Federal
custody.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDd8c44654fa7f49c9b78adfa449c707d2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Designated
incarceration facility</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
designate not less than 1 Federal, State, or local prison or jail or a private
contracted prison or detention facility within each State as the central
facility for that State to transfer custody of criminal or illegal aliens to
the Department of Homeland Security.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID5f4add5eed7a454196e367d13016a053"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reimbursement
to States and local governments</header><text>The Department of Homeland
Security shall reimburse each State or a political subdivision of a State for
all reasonable expenses incurred by the State or political subdivision in the
detention and transportation of a criminal or illegal
alien.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID9d9e37bf33c44422a1b986a93941e2be"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Immigration and
customs enforcement investigative personnel</header>
<paragraph id="id1FEC0B1BB66142D4B5EAABD68BF5AFE8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Additional
positions authorized</header><text>In addition to the positions authorized by
section 5203 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
(Public Law 108–458; 118 Stat. 3734), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall,
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011, increase by not less than 400 the
number of investigative personnel within the Department of Homeland Security
responsible for investigating immigration status violations.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id82BC20F445DB43D189097F1EF04F63D7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 such sums as may be necessary to carry
out this subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDf0806f8d3ed14ae88b18164f65450e91"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Listing of
immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center
Database</header>
<paragraph id="ID0a66ef744fcc4accb7e24cae9b4df9fb"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide the National Crime
Information Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (referred to in this
section as the <quote>NCIC</quote>) with information related to—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID1961358899ab43f2938e5686f4d482c4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any alien against
whom a final order of removal has been issued;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDda2179d4f4da42788e5023f2dcd2c304"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any alien who is
subject to a voluntary departure agreement that has become invalid under
section 240B(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1229c(a)(2)); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID81ac7bc2141c4e37b83be491b9f9f36e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any alien whose
visa has been revoked.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDffe546dc6bb64361973c946c4b2f6899"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirement to
provide and use information</header><text>The information provided to the NCIC
under paragraph (1) shall be entered into the Immigration Violators File of the
NCIC database if a name and date of birth are available for the individual,
regardless of whether the alien received notice of a final order of removal or
the alien has already been removed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDea56d51f80d84816a3ce7a01f9ee3920"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Removal of
information</header><text>If an individual is granted cancellation of removal
under section 240A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229b) or
is granted permission to legally enter the United States after a voluntary
departure under section 240B of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1229c), any information
entered into the NCIC database in accordance with this subsection shall be
promptly removed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDaa6389e87d1442d3a4de8d4058a1dba4"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Increasing
Federal detention space</header>
<paragraph id="ID9c75dc916f1040d990e6f0733fd42f3a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Construction or
acquisition of detention facilities</header>
<subparagraph id="IDbdd21a8b676e4ec58375661fb9547f25"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In addition to facilities being used for the detention of
aliens as of the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland
Security shall construct or acquire 20 detention facilities in the United
States with sufficient capacity to detain a combined total of not less than
200,000 individuals at any time. Such facilities shall be used for aliens
detained pending removal or a decision on removal of such aliens from the
United States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8b2f7f005a5e4f0ab7b1aa548b8b8682"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Determination
of location</header><text>The location of each detention facility built or
acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall—</text>
<clause id="idEE5060C0025843A2A17F9D66A0781310"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be
determined by the senior officer responsible for detention and removal
operations of the Department of Homeland Security, subject to the approval of
the Secretary of Homeland Security; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id8D93EB01134A4B6D9A8A563E6955AB31"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>enable the
Department to increase, to the maximum extent practicable, the annual rate and
level of removals of illegal aliens from the United States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe3032883eb574a8cbe6aebecb55db09f"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Use of
installations under base closure laws</header><text>In acquiring detention
facilities under this paragraph, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
consider the transfer of appropriate portions of military installations
approved for closure or realignment under the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101–510; 10 U.S.C.
2687 note) for use in accordance with subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDaf785449f70544e9835a4e83ac99b5be"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>Section 241(g)(1) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(g)(1)) is amended by striking <quote>may
expend</quote> and inserting <quote>shall expend</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2c9d8757e38348d59f026b19ec0896d1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDd4ac7686f1824f56abf0b2becc8402ee"><enum>106.</enum><header>Expanding
category of inadmissible aliens</header>
<subsection id="ID591a4352a74e4359b5a647ce340a7ba5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Criminal street
gangs</header><text>Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD9CB688ABE944ABD9F815FA8A23B4301" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="ID01c6d6b231ed4724be40e261546bc359"><enum>(J)</enum><header>Aliens who are
members of criminal street gangs</header><text>Any alien who is a member of a
criminal street gang (as defined in section 521(a) of title 18, United States
Code) is
inadmissible.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID96746e0c05514f89986cb7bac8c8fda6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deporting
criminal street gang members</header><text>Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE4E0FD8D2A6D4F1DAD291C917F461841" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="IDe7d787742f4b4667a92dc62691ad8f7c"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Aliens who are
members of criminal street gangs</header><text>Any alien who is a member of a
criminal street gang (as defined in section 521(a) of title 18, United States
Code) is
deportable.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID4177c105d2404db0bfa4226fb5db8e5e"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criminal
aliens</header><text>Any alien convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor in the
United States is ineligible to receive a visa and ineligible to be admitted to
the United States.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Temporary H–2A
Workers</header>
<section id="id9E8EA21932B049E9A40647FD9728656A"><enum>201.</enum><header>Definition</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idB222AFD0461540A98F678F7A838554A8"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>and including
agricultural labor defined in section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954</quote> and inserting <quote>, which shall include labor and services
relating to commodities, livestock, dairy, forestry, landscaping, fishing, and
the processing of meat, poultry, and fish, and agricultural labor (as defined
in section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986),</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA88549478D8E403D94EB63F19E11F5B5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>, of a temporary or
seasonal nature</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="id22189E1D90C343BC88CEF3B7A9DECA4F"><enum>202.</enum><header>Admission of
temporary H–2A workers</header>
<subsection id="id177D7AFFC31048EBA576165E7248CFDA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Procedure for
admission</header>
<paragraph id="id8A5C73F77E3C4D9E870D25D1C3289278"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1188) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5F582317539F4FBE88BA5E9C048A04EB" style="traditional">
<section id="idE6029123E1DC472BBFA7158185CBE982"><enum>218.</enum><header>Admission of temporary H–2A workers</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC7D06E472E6843E4A1784E3394A4D32E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section and section 218A:</text>
<paragraph id="IDad817e4766384d30801f76e35ab810aa"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Area of
employment</header><text>The term <term>area of employment</term> means the
area within normal commuting distance of the work site or physical location
where the work of the H–2A worker is or will be performed. If such work site or
location is within a Metropolitan Statistical Area, any place within such area
shall be considered to be within the area of employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID678cd13681d5477e8cd3fc9db6d1e5d1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Displace</header><text>In
the case of a petition with respect to an H–2A worker filed by an employer, the
employer <term>displaces</term> a United States worker from a job if the
employer lays off the worker from a job that is essentially equivalent to the
job for which the H-2A worker is sought. A job shall not be considered to be
essentially equivalent to another job unless the job—</text>
<subparagraph id="id9A5BE4EED7054E9D86F5332FEAD81443"><enum>(A)</enum><text>involves
essentially the same responsibilities as the other job;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4A94B460498D42C0B47C121B7475AA57"><enum>(B)</enum><text>was held by a
United States worker with substantially equivalent qualifications and
experience; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idED9AE1F3AAC84ADB96CFD48BF1EFA92A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is located in the
same area of employment as the other job.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID57b91d33bde54ea5921fb8149938d4da"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Eligible
individual</header><text>The term <term>eligible individual</term> means an
individual who is not an unauthorized alien (as defined in section 274A(h)(3))
with respect to the employment of the individual.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id68A8A15053F9491A8AE6420C32B07CA3"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Employer</header><text>The
term <term>employer</term> means an employer who hires workers to perform
agricultural employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3a912716da794812ba5aeabb6db9bc52"><enum>(5)</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="ID53c81dcabeb447ca833d0d4d2748787b"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Lay
off</header>
<subparagraph id="id7BBE49530B0542BBBEC8E5504BD76296"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The term <term>lay off</term>—</text>
<clause id="idF4E933EF1BE44EF69EE8F2A1A57F6193"><enum>(i)</enum><text>means to cause a
worker’s loss of employment, other than through a discharge for inadequate
performance, violation of workplace rules, cause, voluntary departure,
voluntary retirement, or the expiration of a grant or contract (other than a
temporary employment contract entered into in order to evade a condition
described in paragraph (3) or (7) of subsection (b)); and</text>
</clause><clause id="id2620157C2DB1466ABC86896D9E7379BF"><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 subsection (h)(2),
with either employer described in such subsection) 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="id316E70F29F46479A99851C748073CC00"><enum>(B)</enum><header>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="id7A5F33CF6CB64E0EAF8FC3E9C5B7043A"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Level II H–2A
worker</header><text>The term <term>Level II H–2A worker</term> means a
nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) who—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID9bece12bbcc24906b8cb7cf58e017a71"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has been employed
as an H–2A worker for at least 3 years;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID22e99af27dab400bba8300cd49b144e1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>has not violated
a material term or condition of employment as an H–2A worker;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID530ec87ac1f143bc9d4699a2566f0bf6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>works in a
supervisory capacity; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd339a12044f94761bb8671eb4c6a0595"><enum>(D)</enum><text>meets minimum
skill levels in the occupation in which they are employed, as determined, by
regulation, by the Secretary of Labor, based on surveys conducted by State
workforce agencies.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID81ee30da5d8d437f918f46ed3596d709"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Prevailing
wage</header><text>The term <term>prevailing wage</term> means the wage rate
that includes the 51st percentile of employees with similar experience and
qualifications in the agricultural occupation in the area of intended
employment, expressed in terms of the prevailing method of pay for the
occupation in the area of intended employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa8eb760f1e9a411091a9838cd9936998"><enum>(9)</enum><header>United States
worker</header><text>The term <term>United States worker</term> means any
worker who is a national of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for
permanent residence, and any other alien authorized to work in the relevant job
opportunity within the United States, except—</text>
<subparagraph id="id87D2E161945544F7833E6AFC52767ACF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an alien admitted
or otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2F21F1C8D9F449EC9C0BF9EC1925C462"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an alien provided
blue card status under section 218B.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idDBD55618604747FC88317558EA1DD85B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien may not be admitted as an H–2A
worker unless the employer has filed with the Secretary of Homeland Security a
petition attesting to the following:</text>
<paragraph id="IDff701d14c6c24a4ea7175936e74bb25d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Temporary work
or services</header>
<subparagraph id="id46F2A3F8E87C441A8E60F43EDC6A1B16"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The employer is seeking to employ a specific number of
agricultural workers on a temporary basis and will provide compensation to such
workers at a specified wage rate and under specified conditions.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC4F1F49664B44945991E993C17DE3B5D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Skilled
workers</header><text>If the worker is a Level II H–2A worker, the employer
will recruit the worker separately and the attestation will delineate separate
wage rate and conditions of employment for such worker.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id008769DD533A441C915C7FAA49E9C9F0"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For
purposes of this paragraph, a worker is employed on a temporary basis if the
employer intends to employ the worker for an 11–month contract period.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2b602083c40e4f13bad8d1b3cdc08541"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Benefits,
wages, and working conditions</header><text>The employer will provide, at a
minimum, the benefits, wages, and working conditions required by subsection (k)
to all workers employed in the jobs for which the H–2A worker is sought and to
all other temporary workers in the same occupation at the place of
employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID308de017c9d5456fb5db00eebe34bb3d"><enum>(3)</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 of the H–2A worker and during the 30-day period immediately
preceding such period of employment in the occupation at the place of
employment for which the employer seeks approval to employ H–2A workers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd7839e90658f442dbcc8c6436cfe2cfb"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Recruitment</header>
<subparagraph id="id36CFAE1082CF4EF29A6A57261AFA0164"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The employer—</text>
<clause id="idAF9F2A3B8135478E91D75F79F326E36B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>conducted
adequate recruitment in the area of employment before filing the attestation;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="idD53B8904D48D426F9198F65B80789E9A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>was unsuccessful
in locating a qualified United States worker for the job opportunity for which
the H–2A worker is sought.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id00568CA81F28432EB803DFB842DCF03F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Other
requirements</header><text>The adequate recruitment requirement under
subparagraph (A) is satisfied if the employer places—</text>
<clause id="id6C2E0C1FF26247EFA9592CCBDDF8AFA8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
job order with the America’s Job Bank Program of the Department of Labor;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="id12BCA683F98F4D9F93548B7E39C7C3F1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a Sunday
advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation that is likely to be
patronized by a potential worker in the area of intended employment.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5677A5C725B74FB994FE93AF4689F51D"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Advertisement
requirement</header><text>The advertisement requirement under subparagraph
(B)(ii) is satisfied if the advertisement—</text>
<clause id="idC7ADBCB5D6BA487BB4EB43D75A6A6C93"><enum>(i)</enum><text>names the
employer;</text>
</clause><clause id="id3F69BC811C964CFDB47F0C519C1D7CAD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>directs
applicants to report or send resumes, as appropriate for the occupation, to the
employer;</text>
</clause><clause id="id17B18CFFBD03416CB0D30FFF3B099740"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>provides a
description of the vacancy that is specific enough to apprise United States
workers of the job opportunity for which certification is sought;</text>
</clause><clause id="idCDAC7A96773E4D2EB47E2DBD8C537C38"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>describes the
geographic area with enough specificity to apprise applicants of any travel
requirements and where applicants will likely have to reside to perform the
job;</text>
</clause><clause id="id0636A3D089B54B2193495E57037C1CE6"><enum>(v)</enum><text>states the rate
of pay, which shall not be less than the wage paid for the occupation in the
area of intended employment; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idB427AD1827DF4D469F67C005EAA3CEDE"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>offers wages,
terms, and conditions of employment, which are at least as favorable to those
offered to the alien.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA9F7F7734E164823808C2D0AA98F0C6C"><enum>(D)</enum><header>End of
recruitment requirement</header><text>The requirement to recruit United States
workers shall terminate on the first day of the contract period that work
begins.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID4e7bb7bd2da94516af2f92b16160eb14"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Offers to
united states workers</header><text>The employer has offered or will offer the
job for which the nonimmigrant is sought to any eligible United States worker
who—</text>
<subparagraph id="id3E1B3FA743514DCAAD0A6C465A1F73A8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>applies;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF7EBAA7B505F4F74BF0004C8E89247E7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is at least as
qualified for the job as the nonimmigrant; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id62CAF4E8E66A46BB9C8843AD8668CF16"><enum>(C)</enum><text>will be available
at the time and place of need.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5f956563deee4557a64293a5fa8df61a"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Provision of
insurance</header><text>If the job for which the H–2A worker is sought is not
covered by 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 workers’ compensation law for
comparable employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd0915971c9c246d09cb3fc5c4dedd19e"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Strike or
lockout</header><text>There is not a strike or lockout in the course of a labor
dispute which, under regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor,
precludes the hiring of H–2A workers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7f760e2a18b54628b70c49a3b9d78632"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Previous
violations</header><text>The employer has not, during the previous 5-year
period, employed H–2A workers and knowingly violated a material term or
condition of approval with respect to the employment of domestic or
nonimmigrant workers, as determined by the Secretary of Labor after notice and
opportunity for a hearing.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0afbcd6eaedd411faf6e013498356006"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public
examination</header><text>Not later than 1 working day after the date on which
a petition under this section is filed, the employer shall make a copy of each
such petition (and any necessary accompanying documents) available for public
examination, at the employer’s principal place of business or worksite.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDc860a97bb46844749193ec420d66dc2b"><enum>(d)</enum><header>List</header>
<paragraph id="idCE4C3DFF78FD477487524FE054838A2A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall maintain a list
of the petitions filed under subsection (b), which shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4BF9FD2747614536B94C9304D31F0CFE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be sorted by
employer; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD615E21C0E914A8590F1851C8BC7EDC2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>include the
number of H–2A workers sought, the wage rate, the period of intended
employment, and the date of need for each alien.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id432BC9B58F8F4D7A9AE1935C1C0EBEEC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>The
Secretary of Homeland Security shall, at least monthly, submit a copy of the
list described in paragraph (1) to the Secretary of Labor, who shall make the
list available for public examination.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA4017BDB58B14BA1984E001BC0A52CF1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Petitioning for
admission</header>
<paragraph id="IDd7c68f73b5dc4c49857a86db534f638a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</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 shall file with the Secretary of Homeland Security a petition
that includes the attestations described in subsection (b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd446293a1c144ed184ecf66519723120"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consideration
of petitions</header><text>For each petition filed and considered under this
subsection—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDe0d9cd012c82427992400f487c5e3efb"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Homeland Security may not require such petition to be filed more than 28 days
before the first date the employer requires the labor or services of the H–2A
worker; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4ab8bfc00cf4469889382cf78c83004b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>unless the
Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the petition is incomplete or
obviously inaccurate, the Secretary, not later than 7 days after the date on
which such petition was filed, shall either approve or deny the
petition.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID7c0f5bed29204c21818a5cc7d3c5a60d"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Expedited
adjudication</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idFA5360B3F00442BCBC4C989FBB993D7B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establish a
procedure for expedited adjudication of petitions filed under this subsection;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idECF1B753B2364D28B0B950B7CC2EFB95"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not later than 7
working days after such filing, transmit, by fax, cable, or other means
assuring expedited delivery, a copy of notice of action on the petition—</text>
<clause id="idD25A9D302CBD49FBA4B6D4FCE1D34FB3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of
approved petitions, to the petitioner, the Secretary of Labor, and to the
appropriate immigration officer at the port of entry or United States consulate
where the petitioner has indicated that the alien beneficiary or beneficiaries
will apply for a visa or admission to the United States;</text>
</clause><clause id="id78E2DE7AC10D48E59D48D9F439260476"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of
denied petitions, to the petitioner, including reasons for the denial and
instructions on how to appeal such denial.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDb76b0fc96fce413d83cedbd6f51f9e10"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Petition
agreements</header><text>By filing an H–2A petition, a petitioner and each
employer consents to allow access to the site where the labor is being
performed for the purpose of determining compliance with H–2A
requirements.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDd7c36405f85941598c6c23095b0be9e3"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Roles of
agricultural associations</header>
<paragraph id="IDa478553d7c2a4bc0a60ce30f81659dc8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Permitting
filing by agricultural associations</header><text>A petition to hire an alien
as a temporary agricultural worker may be filed by an association of
agricultural employers which use agricultural services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID08b8a1e503914babbfcf4c295e57dcb4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment of
associations acting as employers</header><text>If an association is a joint or
sole employer of temporary agricultural workers, such workers may be
transferred among its members to perform agricultural services of a temporary
nature for which the petition was approved.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID738ae62d9ded47eeaa38cec0150bc3cc"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Statement of
liability</header><text>The petition shall include a clear statement explaining
the liability under this section of an employer who places an H–2A worker with
another employer authorized to employ H–2A workers if the other employer
displaces a United States worker in violation of this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID062b5c124da64737a666e755313eced5"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Treatment of
violations</header>
<subparagraph id="id70DEE59B5D474C8CA80F3D486733C8D0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Individual
member</header><text>If an individual member of a joint employer association
violates any condition for approval with respect to the member’s petition, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall deny such petition only with respect to
that member of the association unless the Secretary of Labor determines that
the association or other member participated in, had knowledge of, or had
reason to know of the violation.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC1F86A263751409E9F44A45C45F29D84"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Association of
agricultural employers</header>
<clause id="idCAA7F6C70D0A493189FED26F9CABF674"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Joint
employer</header><text>If an association representing agricultural employers as
a joint employer violates any condition for approval with respect to the
association’s petition, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deny such
petition only with respect to the association and may not apply the denial to
any individual member of the association, unless the Secretary of Labor
determines that the member participated in, had knowledge of, or had reason to
know of the violation.</text>
</clause><clause id="id0299A0A14F23450FAFF3B72FC5956DC8"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Sole
employer</header><text>If an association of agricultural employers approved as
a sole employer violates any condition for approval with respect to the
association’s petition, no individual member of such association may be the
beneficiary of the services of temporary alien agricultural workers admitted
under this section in the occupation in which such aliens were employed by the
association which was denied approval during the period such denial is in
force, unless such member employs such aliens in the occupation in question
directly or through an association which is a joint employer of such workers
with the member.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDc814def3b6cb4ea4808ad03ec21e6bbd"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Expedited
administrative appeals</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
issue regulations to provide for an expedited procedure—</text>
<paragraph id="id467669E26D5E4DAAA06529E60576AF13"><enum>(1)</enum><text>for the review of
a denial of a petition under this section by the Secretary; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE4CE07D30F084AAD989D7012745D0CBA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>at the
applicant’s request, for a de novo administrative hearing respecting the
denial.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id696BB254723E438EBB5BA5A1210AFCA1"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Miscellaneous
provisions</header>
<paragraph id="ID1791ae3a9648437d8b4ed7ff3ac2e37e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirements
for placement of H–2A workers with other employers</header><text>A nonimmigrant
who is admitted into the United States as an H–2A worker may be transferred to
another employer that has attested to the Secretary of Homeland Security that
the employer has filed a petition under this section and is in compliance with
this section. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State
shall issue regulations to establish a process for the approval and reissuance
of visas for transferred H–2A workers, as necessary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb52c8a63ac9845919f542b3eff12247d"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Endorsement of
documents</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for
the endorsement of entry and exit documents of H–2A workers as may be necessary
to carry out this section and to provide notice for purposes of section
274A.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEC5459E700804964B94F7D01E01747BC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Preemption of
state laws</header><text>The provisions of subsection (a) and (c) of section
214 and the provisions of this section preempt any State or local law
regulating admissibility of nonimmigrant workers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc809a5b38d4e4e5e9f911eeff9753146"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Fees</header>
<subparagraph id="id1A75390D573946D793E23AEE01CF55B1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security may require, as a
condition of approving the petition, the payment of a fee, in accordance with
subparagraph (B), to recover the reasonable cost of processing
petitions.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2D5C79E8128645649EACA74E1767992C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Fee by type of
employee</header>
<clause id="idE456D9DAD1F64819BB8382AFB8FE73B8"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Single
employer</header><text>An employer whose petition for temporary alien
agricultural workers is approved shall, for each approved petition, pay a fee
that—</text>
<subclause id="idE73308BA20194F40B9CDD5134E8F28D4"><enum>(I)</enum><text>subject to
subclause (II), is equal to $100 plus $10 for each approved H–2A worker;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idBC02499ABA8B4CE7AAA19B7FAAAD1D64"><enum>(II)</enum><text>does not exceed
$1,000.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idAB0A8C6695B24798BFA6DFFF824C0924"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Association</header><text>Each
employer-member of a joint employer association whose petition for temporary
agricultural aliens is approved shall, for each such approved petition, pay a
fee that—</text>
<subclause id="id2F2152A233404608813F3944DC2D01C0"><enum>(I)</enum><text>subject to
subclause (II), is equal to $100 plus $10 for each approved H–2A worker;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idB4DFC38A04594666B28CB81183CA45C4"><enum>(II)</enum><text>does not exceed
$1,000.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id91C37330A5BA44FFBDD9D0466B3AC60D"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Limitation on
association fees</header><text>A joint employer association under clause (ii)
shall not be charged a separate fee.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF90E15473D854009BEEFDBF9B019BECB"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Method of
payment</header><text>The fees collected under this paragraph shall be paid by
check or money order to the Department of Homeland Security. In the case of
employers of H–2A workers that are members of a joint employer association
applying on their behalf, the aggregate fees for all employers of H–2A workers
under the petition may be paid by 1 check or money order.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC84056209918434D918F3D554356D3DA"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Increase in
fees</header><text>For calendar year 2007 and each subsequent calendar year,
the dollar amounts in subparagraph (B) may be increased by an amount equal
to—</text>
<clause id="id924FF2E30D954464A231DFCADE5E6AFA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>such dollar
amount; multiplied by</text>
</clause><clause id="id4865077F47AE425A9FF43DED6F5C464A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the percentage
by which the average of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers
(United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with August of the
preceding calendar year exceeds such average for the 12-month period ending
with August 2005.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id890F88459409493DB96A6EBCE06009E9"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Employment
verification program</header>
<subparagraph id="id1CFC0DAC5FF949C0BE468AB307B40A8A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of
this paragraph, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a mandatory
employment verification program for all employers of H–2A workers to verify the
eligibility of all individuals hired by each such employer, including those who
present an H–2A visa to work in the United States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFA51DC5E3D16430C8FBAFFDD332E275E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Employer
compliance</header><text>Each employer of an H–2A worker shall comply with the
requirements promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security to verify the
identity and employment eligibility of all individuals hired.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF92467F48C934124B937F21FCF0B024C"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>In
carrying out the program under this paragraph, the Secretary of Homeland
Security shall promulgate regulations to require each employer to verify the
employment eligibility of each employee hired through—</text>
<clause id="id1B503357E3CB4EE892BA754E306E09EE"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
secure Internet site;</text>
</clause><clause id="id42038644E9DD4623BF93B7A0CC883C1C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a machine
capable of reading the H–2A visa, which shall serve as the identification and
employment eligibility document for each H–2A alien; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id013E031A333246F3BC6FB4E941CE8FF6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a toll-free
telephone number to check the accuracy of any social security number presented
to the employer.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD724B485041041B79637BBC9FFD03C16"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Employer-based
application for permanent residence</header>
<subparagraph id="id312F41FF653545E489CC4D27114FFD3A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The employer of a Level II H–2A worker who has been
employed in such status for not less than 5 years may file an application for
an employment-based adjustment of status under section 245(k) for such
worker.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB971C599483D42788BE6FD4596BDB505"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Effect of
application</header><text>A Level II H–2A worker for whom an application is
filed under subparagraph (A) may continue to be employed in such status
until—</text>
<clause id="id62F2D6360F734991BE82B55371A0D81A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>such application
has been adjudicated; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idF5941A1A2444406B982B6DC925FB0149"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>such worker has
violated any provision of this section.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID1374bdd0436443d99066291096a892a9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Failure to meet
conditions</header>
<paragraph id="IDf90657bdf4b74e1c9a09c06d68b92e70"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall be responsible for
conducting investigations and random audits of employer work sites to ensure
compliance with the requirements of the H–2A program and all other requirements
under this Act. All monetary fines levied against violating employers shall be
paid to the Department of Labor and used to enhance the Department of Labor’s
investigatory and auditing power.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID68ac607076ac462c8b4fc42368d25f51"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Penalties for
failure to meet conditions</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after
notice and opportunity for a hearing, a failure to meet any condition under
subsection (b), or a material misrepresentation of fact in a petition under
subsection (b)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idE1178566E3944DD2BA4CDA7DAB43EA7B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Labor—</text>
<clause id="id9E84B6DC1C7C4363A6C6B1AECAD5D0D3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall notify the
Secretary of Homeland Security of such finding; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idAA9A5EDF05CC41DEAFB9D691F3F57DF0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may 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></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCB7ECFE3E28A488CAA10D863818BA71D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Homeland Security may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A
workers for a period of 1 year.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5ebaa83c7776422cbdf44a17b9ec3308"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Penalties for
willful failure</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and
opportunity for a hearing, a willful failure to meet a material condition of
subsection (b) or a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in a petition
under subsection (b)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBEAF3CDDFA4E4D89B9A53E388E7C193D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Labor—</text>
<clause id="id5D295378ED2D46E3BE0B822B90711F7E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall notify the
Secretary of Homeland Security of such finding; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id7EFDB8D8D3474AA6BDE98269A510A164"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may 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; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5602228D41DA4CA9867275962D666E24"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Homeland Security may—</text>
<clause id="idB623F99D67BB4C4D9B1EF62B6A0BAC14"><enum>(i)</enum><text>disqualify the
employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 2 years;</text>
</clause><clause id="id46084ED26AC14989B6065FA0B1951DE4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for a second
violation, disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a
period of 5 years; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idBCCDA36B006442B8B1323D069D51BEC1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>for a third
violation, permanently disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A
workers.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1cc74fb2ac2e45f6bbf28bd56386e7d0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Penalties for
displacement of united states workers</header><text>If the Secretary of Labor
finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a willful failure to meet a
material condition of subsection (b) or a willful misrepresentation of a
material fact in a petition under subsection (b), 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
petition under subsection (b), or during the period of 30 days preceding such
period of employment—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDa8b60eb890984898839ae18fbb9ae9e6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Labor—</text>
<clause id="id9AB549FA78EC476E8F614C04311C24B0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall notify the
Secretary of Homeland Security of such finding; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id443E933E6EE849ABBE084F133E374296"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may 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></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8cf6474501a841089e93c18a180b3109"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Homeland Security may—</text>
<clause id="idF1D526C3FB8545FAAC265B7073DA39E6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>disqualify the
employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 5 years;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="id9B6864E9781A472DBB579A1911DF9743"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for a second
violation, permanently disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A
workers.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID90707cb449f548be92cb57edbe07e82a"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Limitations on
civil money penalties</header><text>The Secretary of Labor may not impose total
civil money penalties with respect to a petition under subsection (b) in excess
of $90,000.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF2BD59F0968D44EFA2E18160308F9E12"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Failure to pay
wages or required benefits</header>
<paragraph id="ID614e5ec7ae544fd8af628d103d1630d4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Labor shall be responsible for
conducting investigations and random audits of employer work sites to ensure
compliance with the requirements of the H–2A program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf0375133cbf841cc8eb7b3b693903861"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Assessment</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 attested
by the employer under subsection (b)(2), 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.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0F8AE635A7104DE880ED420542397B77"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Amount</header><text>The
back wages or other required benefits described in paragraph (2)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id68F3A1BE446747598551F0F8A53D1627"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be equal to
the difference between the amount that should have been paid and the amount
that was paid to such worker; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9891956CF7B14962B722079760051152"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be
distributed to the worker to whom such wages are due.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD2F2FBEE66854409B9501FBD4CA12245"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Minimum wages,
benefits, and working conditions</header>
<paragraph id="ID8df7fc98473d4795be4969a7297d5731"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Preferential
treatment of aliens prohibited</header>
<subparagraph id="id408FCAE545FA4CB786D0818DD1EDF2E0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each employer seeking to hire United States workers shall
offer such workers not less than the same benefits, wages, and working
conditions that the employer is offering, intends to offer, or will provide to
H–2A workers. 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. The
benefits, wages, and other terms and conditions of employment described in this
subsection shall be provided in connection with employment under this
section.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8B3B682298BE4FE2B31AFA5AB25F68B7"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Interpretation</header><text>Every
interpretation and determination made under this section or under any other
law, regulation, or interpretative provision regarding the nature, scope, and
timing of the provision of these and any other benefits, wages, and other terms
and conditions of employment shall be made so that—</text>
<clause id="id74099291666F49AD99771655B6A8D9DB"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the services of
workers to their employers and the employment opportunities afforded to workers
by the employers, including those employment opportunities that require United
States workers or H–2A workers to travel or relocate in order to accept or
perform employment—</text>
<subclause id="id874A5F5424914CB684D307400054E674"><enum>(I)</enum><text>mutually benefit
such workers, as well as their families, and employers; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id987CA59277AE493B94516EB14ACCF458"><enum>(II)</enum><text>principally
benefit neither employer nor employee; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id44ADD832F1F5482192D22FB1DC278B96"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>employment
opportunities within the United States benefit the United States
economy.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id58A15C6A04084FCC91F55B4A1EC0C97B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required
wages</header>
<subparagraph id="id7C9A5DBFD9BF49AF8FB88887A3DC414E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each employer applying for workers under subsection (b)
shall pay not less than the greater of—</text>
<clause id="idECEF304470F54C38B916FFC03C595739"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the prevailing
wage to all workers in the occupation for which the employer has applied for
workers; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id28712640DA504FAC8C3841A9F9BA2F3D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the applicable
State minimum wage.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEEE0967C5B2B43D1AE0C168F688F6237"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Wages for level
II H–2A workers</header><text>Each employer applying for Level II H–2A workers
under subsection (b) shall pay such workers not less than the prevailing wage,
as determined by the Secretary of Labor.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0D6637F90EF54663A18D2ACDE8BF86BF"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Determination
of wages</header><text>An employer seeking to comply with subparagraph (A)
may—</text>
<clause id="idF4270F57D9094F2386C4049110A07E85"><enum>(i)</enum><text>request and
obtain a prevailing wage determination from the State employment agency;
or</text>
</clause><clause id="id9CEFADF4CE8948958E5304E6A80EDDA2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>rely on other
wage information, including a survey of the prevailing wages of workers in the
occupation in the area of employment that has been conducted or funded by the
employer or a group of employers, using the methodology used by the Secretary
of Labor to establish Occupational Employment and Wage estimate, and any other
criteria specified in regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9EE63B2EC3A14BFB8928DCA5623C1D8F"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>An
employer shall be considered to have complied with the requirement under
subparagraph (A) if the employer—</text>
<clause id="id141DBE99333A498E96764492985539FC"><enum>(i)</enum><subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8838FD0B6C554660AF746312B56CECCC"><enum>(I)</enum><text>obtains a prevailing
wage determination under subparagraph (C)(i); or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id6D3456E60D264F77A8B5B8B905E9659D" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>relies on a qualifying survey of
prevailing wages; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idDAC61B03B42A4CA39F73D9BE77F5E65E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>pays such
prevailing wage.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID31a93e3641b940dabe8834d89078ac70"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Housing
requirement</header>
<subparagraph id="id7F901DCB1EC54A538E8B9BB268B37114"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided under subparagraph (F), each employer
applying for workers under subsection (b) shall offer to provide housing at no
cost to—</text>
<clause id="idFDBD9B3830CA4543B25B408869C8EEF6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>all workers in
job opportunities for which the employer has applied under subsection (b);
and</text>
</clause><clause id="idA16255BD860448A2BB0058F808376707"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>all other
workers in the same occupation at the same place of employment, whose place of
residence is beyond normal commuting distance.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB68DCF664B4F40DAA0F58A27EA9E6C0A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>An
employer meets the requirement under subparagraph (A) if the employer—</text>
<clause id="id907B9585AEB744D9A61C7A0EE7CB4D8C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provides the
workers with housing that meets applicable Federal standards for temporary
labor camps; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id5BFE2807873E4E9CADD87985246FA679"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>secures housing
for the workers that—</text>
<subclause id="idBC504E349ADF4D61BF0B8291D523FF0A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>meets applicable
local standards for rental or public accommodation housing, or other
substantially similar class of habitation; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id7876B46C83E84C729FBE3C53E8B8E8D4"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in the absence
of applicable local standards, meets State standards for rental or public
accommodation housing or other substantially similar class of
habitation.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCF2E64E5173444D2B5C84B3344137F8B"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Inspection</header><text>The
employer may request a certificate of inspection by an approved Federal or
State agency to the Secretary of Labor not later than 28 days before a worker
is scheduled to occupy housing described in subparagraph (B). Such an
inspection, and any necessary follow up, including at least 1 follow up visit,
shall be performed by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor in
a timely manner not later than 28 days after such a request.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB24438BAB74949BAA20D58EC96A14B9B"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Rulemaking</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="id56F28285749B4E03B9B33CE56D467AFA"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Construction</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="id24751332C6D1456D9A2F7688C99B7D79"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Housing
allowance</header>
<clause id="id982EB3D0BC904E2F93EB9AC8DC2E8ACE"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>If
the Governor of a 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 in
agricultural work, an employer in such State may, in lieu of offering housing
pursuant to subparagraph (A), provide a reasonable housing allowance. An
employer who provides a housing allowance to a worker shall not be required to
reserve housing accommodations for the worker.</text>
</clause><clause id="id82C3EB09482F48DBA6C758A0A67F906B"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Assistance in
locating housing</header><text>Upon the request of a worker seeking assistance
in locating housing, an employer providing a housing allowance under clause (i)
shall make a good faith effort to assist the worker in identifying and locating
housing in the area of intended employment.</text>
</clause><clause id="id5B707F5DC2304D73BE71FB231EBB390D"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>A
housing allowance may not be used for housing that is owned or controlled by
the employer. 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 Protect Act (29 U.S.C. 1823) solely by
virtue of providing such housing allowance.</text>
</clause><clause id="id3DF6B13B2F4A4B39BA6C58151A2C3422"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Other
requirements</header>
<subclause id="id09444B8A86F3413F83615875A9426E73"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Nonmetropolitan
county</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 state-wide
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 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an assumption of 2 persons
per bedroom.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idA8F147C5F5C34FB8847DE4EEB71EFE6A"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Metropolitan
county</header><text>If the place of employment of the workers provided an
allowance under this subparagraph 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 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an assumption of 2 persons
per bedroom.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idBCD6EE1020174574A8F02EBF6409ADD9"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Information</header><text>If
the employer provides a housing allowance to H–2A employees, the employer shall
provide a list to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor
of the names and local addresses of such workers.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDd921e388cb8a43e0b8e1985b22bb335d"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Reimbursement
of transportation costs</header>
<subparagraph id="id05246D422FCE4F34A20714D92D6A7E68"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Requirement for
reimbursement</header><text>A worker who completes 50 percent of the period of
employment of the job for which the worker was hired, beginning on the first
day of such employment, shall be reimbursed by the employer for the cost of the
worker’s transportation and subsistence from—</text>
<clause id="id8E4DD09B868F46378C2201F4139DA5D0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the place from
which the worker was approved to enter the United States to the location at
which the work for the employer is performed; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id37B1C29C821A4EBD930DFB4423F11E83"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if the worker
traveled from a place in the United States at which the worker was last
employed, from such place of last employment to the location at which the work
for the employer is performed.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id714B1C7C789C41BCB9981D14633503B6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Timing of
reimbursement</header><text>Reimbursement to the worker of expenses for the
cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence to the place of employment
under subparagraph (A) shall be considered timely if such reimbursement is made
not later than the worker’s first regular payday after a worker completes 50
percent of the period of employment of the job opportunity as provided under
this paragraph.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id89D7000572EB4FA9864BEFCF45D5E34E"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Additional
reimbursement</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 work site to the place
where the worker was approved to enter the United States to work for the
employer. If the worker has contracted with a subsequent employer, the previous
and subsequent employer shall share the cost of the worker’s transportation and
subsistence from work site to work site.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1f783c375a3f43c28c23dcbc331d89a1"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Amount of
reimbursement</header><text>The amount of reimbursement provided to a worker or
alien under this paragraph shall be equal to the lesser of—</text>
<clause id="id62DABF038E4E4384AE540D7160FAAAEA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the actual cost
to the worker or alien of the transportation and subsistence involved;
or</text>
</clause><clause id="idACFEAC9DB9E74234A79ACC319FB31CAB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the most
economical and reasonable common carrier transportation charges and subsistence
costs for the distance involved.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idADFFFB161C7E4EE0B4EEED29277448AD"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Reimbursement
for laid off workers</header><text>If the worker is laid off or employment is
terminated for contract impossibility (as described in paragraph (5)(D)) before
the anticipated ending date of employment, the employer shall provide—</text>
<clause id="idFE5BFD57F04345E782AEA3E6ACA49081"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
transportation and subsistence required under subparagraph (C); and</text>
</clause><clause id="idA008947BD0D44CE4B8303377D7DA9EE4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>notwithstanding
whether the worker has completed 50 percent of the period of employment, the
transportation reimbursement required under subparagraph (A).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id639E7D07BC1049B49C856173B3085648"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Transportation</header><text>The
employer shall provide transportation between the worker’s living quarters and
the employer’s work site without cost to the worker in accordance with
applicable laws and regulations.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDF7C14936FA044508F637AF12B017377"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing
in this paragraph shall be construed to require an employer to reimburse visa,
passport, consular, or international border-crossing fees incurred by the
worker or any other fees associated with the worker’s lawful admission into the
United States to perform employment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1917cd1c453d48ae87fc6ee51967aff2"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Employment
guarantee</header>
<subparagraph id="id4C7F9E7E19004412A8D5ECF4E5680DF7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header>
<clause id="id33584EDCA941449591B948040181DEC8"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each
employer applying for workers under subsection (b) shall guarantee to offer the
worker employment for the hourly equivalent of not less than 75 percent of the
work hours during the total anticipated 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.</text>
</clause><clause id="idD5B5D95440694819B481E87426E4B0C8"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Failure to
meet guarantee</header><text>If the employer affords the United States worker
or the H–2A worker less employment than that required under this subparagraph,
the employer shall pay such worker the amount which the worker would have
earned if the worker had worked for the guaranteed number of hours.</text>
</clause><clause id="id3388D6F4C65F4FD898FDC2A463C2ACF3"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Period of
employment</header><text>For purposes of this subparagraph, the term
<term>period of employment</term> means the total number of anticipated work
hours and work days described in the job offer and shall exclude the worker’s
Sabbath and Federal holidays.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC73865845533446B96B5AE4BAF89CDC2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Calculation of
hours</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="id1A95CE863F1249A2997A917A911FADCB"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Limitation</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 75
percent guarantee described in subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id32FCE114AB2544ABB5C2D8771F44DEA8"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Termination of
employment</header>
<clause id="id242702D7ECA54C23BF98869DC467B8CD"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</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
due to any form of natural disaster, including flood, hurricane, freeze,
earthquake, fire, drought, plant or animal disease, pest infestation,
regulatory action, or any other reason beyond the control of the employer
before the employment guarantee in subparagraph (A) is fulfilled, the employer
may terminate the worker’s employment.</text>
</clause><clause id="idE3CABD3985DD48989CB1C58B06FFE998"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>If
a worker’s employment is terminated under clause (i), the employer
shall—</text>
<subclause id="id3DBF5A9FB68D43AB9A499F62B4F97966"><enum>(I)</enum><text>fulfill the
employment guarantee in subparagraph (A) for the work days that have elapsed
during the period beginning on the first work day after the arrival of the
worker and ending on the date on which such employment is terminated;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idF8CB8E19203841D0875D6188E07FA761"><enum>(II)</enum><text>make efforts to
transfer the United States worker to other comparable employment acceptable to
the worker.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA8B9935CCB584A4E9083A81EBB5D2D30"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Disqualification</header>
<paragraph id="IDb2e4b5d1ac564120a8f943d4c87a2b8c"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), 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 previous
5 years, violated a term or condition of admission into the United States as a
nonimmigrant, including overstaying the period of authorized admission.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9a695b9b0c7b4a83997aa155e424cc9b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Waivers</header>
<subparagraph id="idAB8637F0054C44438101AA8EFDDCDFAA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An alien seeking admission under section
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) while outside of the United States shall not be deemed
inadmissible under such section by reason of—</text>
<clause id="idE2866038C8AA4D7AA4621FC09054FE65"><enum>(i)</enum><text>paragraph
(1);</text>
</clause><clause id="idFD92CE7662D449508A5A607FB8BCEA4F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>section
212(a)(6)(C), if such alien has previously falsely represented himself or
herself to be a citizen of the United States for the purpose of agricultural
employment; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id8917B71BC59A46FFACDDE9682C4C8F48"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>section
212(a)(9)(B), unless such alien was deported from the United States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC116BE63F5C342189606AE4204537073"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Effective
period of waiver</header><text>If an alien is admitted to the United States as
a result of a waiver under subparagraph (A), such waiver shall remain in effect
until the alien subsequently violates—</text>
<clause id="id6797FF96C7B246BEB3C7BCD17DE1B734"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
material provision of this section; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id3FACCBDC7BAE47E1A92BC57A22DB7A23"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a term or
condition of admission into the United States as a nonimmigrant.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0c70532a00504dd5bc5009b2be5cd81d"><enum>(m)</enum><header>Period of
admission</header>
<paragraph id="IDcbdfe6e2f34d47dc904fc91749ab0f15"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An H–2A alien shall be admitted for an 11-month period of
employment, excluding—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF6CEB7D1451F44159D9A69D691A3A8B9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a period of not
more than 7 days before the beginning of the period of employment for the
purpose of travel to the work site; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9CB39A111B124BD5AA1D0F9278CDCAFD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a period of not
more than 14 days after the period of employment for the purpose of departure
or extension based on a subsequent offer of employment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDfb18850ea68f4964b963774d698a0c2c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Employment
limitation</header><text>An alien may not be employed during the 14-day period
described in paragraph (1)(B) except in the employment for which the alien was
previously authorized.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb1d2a694d86844a9b5ad2efb594c52cc"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing
in this subsection shall limit the authority of the Secretary of Homeland
Security to extend the stay of an alien under any other provision of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1FFC4C4A1AE04AB49395E738E823EB3C"><enum>(n)</enum><header>Abandonment of
employment</header>
<paragraph id="ID86792cd04c0f47ee868aa3fc3206341d"><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—</text>
<subparagraph id="id80C2139D06AB44C7A9D3B3C7E6B70244"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall have failed
to maintain nonimmigrant status as an H–2A worker; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFEE83BE184194628BE2BE0F5811C3CC0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall depart the
United States or be subject to removal under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID43609df2049f4505a2f20a52d434ef37"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report by
employer</header><text>Not later than 24 hours after the premature abandonment
of employment by an H–2A worker, the employer or association acting as an agent
for the employer shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of such
abandonment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID69348ae5d429493ba20ecfb2bc8bb67b"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Removal</header><text>The
Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure the prompt removal from the United
States of any H–2A worker who violates any term or condition of the worker’s
nonimmigrant status.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa830f7795aac4cfea41bad66d7beea2b"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Voluntary
termination</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an alien may
voluntarily terminate the alien’s employment if the alien promptly departs the
United States upon termination of such employment.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6c1503f9513641ff92fae8d08f527631"><enum>(o)</enum><header>Replacement of
alien</header>
<paragraph id="IDd31ab17c4df6453982012a829e2a4ca8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Upon notification under subsection (n)(2)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id1E32B9D97C1346D79BABCD55E7347561"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of
State shall promptly issue a visa to an eligible alien designated by the
employer to replace an H–2A worker who abandons or prematurely terminates
employment; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8E402DF7EDB541CA91672DA90C178B4F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Homeland Security shall admit such alien into the United States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDf9426588af9e4d94839445e8df565d21"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing
in this subsection shall limit any preference for which United States workers
are eligible under this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDec5cdfe8a8cb4ae280bf92b4a4fe3303"><enum>(p)</enum><header>Identification
document</header>
<paragraph id="IDbe4bffe501344a628eabdb4aec89a6bc"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide each
alien authorized to be an H–2A worker with a single machine-readable,
tamper-resistant, and counterfeit-resistant document that—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDf9f31c61c4644393aabd88d50016ecf2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>authorizes the
alien’s entry into the United States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDdaa577ff960f41dca97bdb4fd0be723f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>serves, for the
appropriate period, as an employment eligibility document; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8abd998922c74dffad4914dc83b14ff9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>verifies the
identity of the alien through the use of at least 1 biometric
identifier.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5d24a433059b49adafd3b77dc62098a5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>The
document required for all aliens authorized to be an H–2A worker—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID7e9aeb1dfef1429a8cdddf28e42af018"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be capable
of reliably determining whether—</text>
<clause id="ID1b6577a9596d49de993c61b37a14b086"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the individual
with the document is in fact eligible for employment as an H-2A worker;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDcc404a0c698d499e8b78a0b32596bbb1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the individual
with the document is not claiming the identity of another person; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID6dfee5f0cd564e03aad1fe075bfdb4df"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the individual
with the document is authorized to be admitted into the United States;
and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd2551007ff38480db9b1eb6d463583fe"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be
compatible with—</text>
<clause id="ID501a9fecfce346e89fe2113fb5f0d334"><enum>(i)</enum><text>other databases
of the Secretary of Homeland Security to prevent an alien from obtaining
benefits for which the alien is not eligible and determining whether the alien
is unlawfully present in the United States; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID244c199cd6144236b5f62e24d1ac2959"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>law enforcement
databases to determine if the alien has been convicted of criminal
offenses.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8642370be44f4a559f8e53ad65f8d60e"><enum>(q)</enum><header>Extension of
stay of H–2A workers in the United States</header>
<paragraph id="IDd151be18ffa64a0b8fe9914ba30ca6fb"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Extension of
stay</header>
<subparagraph id="idD9FC2B42A2AF49B79993EE0A10DD4008"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>An
employer may petition to extend an H–2A worker’s stay for up to 2 consecutive
contract periods before the alien is required to return to the alien's country
of nationality or country of last residence.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0A8B9A76BAA245BEBF35BD9ECACB9749"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Request an
extension</header><text>If an employer seeks to employ, or continue to employ,
an H–2A worker who is lawfully present in the United States, the employer or
association shall request an extension of the alien’s stay not later than 14
days before the expiration of the period of authorized employment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id643E277B97AC4F4F9B006001C5EFA969"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>An
extension of stay under this subsection—</text>
<clause id="id4E202AE441144E67AE67576FE0FB7510"><enum>(i)</enum><text>may only commence
upon the termination of the H–2A worker’s contract with an employer;</text>
</clause><clause id="id8133DF5B69F94AF886AA9C7596138B0F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may be effective
immediately following the termination of a prior contract; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id3572D27051C24EA79386E1A48E2EDE8B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>may not exceed
11 months, excluding the 14-day period provided for travel or extension due to
subsequent employment.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1AA2A1AF81E446F1A4F416F824B189C9"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Return to
foreign country</header>
<clause id="idB875CC60EF8C4115939476FA4D4860FD"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Requirement to
return</header><text>At the conclusion of 3 contract periods authorized under
this section, the alien so employed may not be employed in the United States as
an H–2A worker until the alien has returned to the alien’s country of
nationality or country of last residence for a period of not less than 6
months.</text>
</clause><clause id="id98FA2C5C832145309AFCEB932F29FE68"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Reentry</header><text>The
alien may become eligible for reentry into the United States as an H–2A worker
after working in the United States for 2 contract periods and remaining the
alien’s country of nationality or country of last residence for not less than 4
months. The alien may also be eligible for re-entry to the United States as an
H–2A worker after working in the United States for 1 contract period and
remaining in the alien’s country of nationality or country of last residence
for not less than 2 months.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1e13650aa5ac42ae8f4e05d17cb5a078"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Work
authorization</header>
<subparagraph id="id9A5C7872C8D74C9FAAD40EBCF9381291"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An alien who is lawfully present in the United States on
the date of the filing of a petition to extend the stay of the alien may
commence or continue the employment described in a petition under paragraph
(1). The employer shall provide a copy of the employer’s petition for extension
of stay to the alien. The alien 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="idA294E01605634746B8D9A4F5017B7B69"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Employment
eligibility document</header><text>Upon approval of a petition for an extension
of stay or change in the alien’s authorized employment, the Secretary of
Homeland Security 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><subparagraph id="id0CE26405BCE44B08BC8E3EC69BF0809B"><enum>(C)</enum><header>File
defined</header><text>In this paragraph, the term <term>file</term> means
sending the petition by certified mail via the United States Postal Service,
return receipt requested, or delivering by guaranteed commercial delivery which
will provide the employer with a documented acknowledgment of the date of
receipt of the petition for an extension of stay.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4c684b1191c042e08049d919d23a456a"><enum>(r)</enum><header>Special rule
for aliens employed as livestock workers</header><text>Notwithstanding any
other provision of this section, an alien admitted as an H–2A worker for
employment as a sheepherder, goatherder, livestock worker, or dairy worker may
be admitted for a period of up to 2 years.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idD1CD24D3D7694C31B604B12B566FC014"><enum>218A.</enum><header>Admission of cross-border H–2AA
workers</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6DC569EB3CDD47AE9313ED9FF3C77A87"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>In
this section, the term <term>H–2AA worker</term> means a nonimmigrant described
in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) who participates in the cross-border worker
program established under this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id154FABDAD9BA4221BF282667C9D9C69C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Incorporation
by reference</header>
<paragraph id="id32764DA1082048A7A2EE944F9581BBBE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as
specifically provided under paragraph (2), the provisions under section 218
shall apply to H–2AA workers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD516346F5C42421AA04CC3CC45C2ED75"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The provisions under subsections (b)(1)(B),
(k)(2)(B), (k)(3), (k)(4) (except for subparagraph (G)), and (r) of section 218
shall not apply to H–2AA workers.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id147A2CA7181C4B5995B8209711C09484"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Mandatory entry
and exit</header><text>An H–2AA worker who complies with the provisions of this
section—</text>
<paragraph id="id1276D427AA424539B9A150FF8B9B7E6B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>may enter the
United States each scheduled work day, in accordance with regulations
promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBF81A99E1EB543CF9116A58AF56254BD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall exit the
United States before the end of each day of such
entrance.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC7C6380D16404997A9D505E8C324BB93"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of contents of the Immigration and
Nationality Act is adding after the item relating to section 218 the
following:</text>
<quoted-block id="id94aef792-07c7-42a1-ba3b-c081ffe6e493" style="traditional">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="idD1CD24D3D7694C31B604B12B566FC014" level="section">Sec. 218A. Admission of cross-border H–2AA
workers.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5573afa706da49e88897c36affcaf4d3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header>
<paragraph id="id14322C00DC41435A9C5E673A46FA6BFA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Issuance of
visas</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations, in accordance with
the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States
Code, to provide for uniform procedures for the issuance of visas by United
States consulates and consular officials to nonimmigrants described in section
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id904BD09B996A469B95BC2E4F2184B754"><enum>(2)</enum><header>H–<enum-in-header>2AA</enum-in-header>
border crossings</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
promulgate regulations to establish a process for workers authorized to work in
the United States under section 218A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as
added by subsection (a), to ensure that such workers expeditiously enter and
exit the United States during each work day.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDba06df65a14449038dbe6a33abaf83cf"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the
date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID046baf6e88914cd0955aed10411d0d1e"><enum>203.</enum><header>Legal
assistance from the Legal Services Corporation</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 504 of the Migrant and Seasonal
Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1854) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idB02E2E424BA34A8C86EBCD5ED676C8C7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking subsection (b) and inserting
the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAAFE702A5B584CC99A9366D9CD753FEF" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID572be7ecdbdb4c83951d6bedd9c063b1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Legal
assistance</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id224961B12E9242758CFB30B98CA48A75"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Upon application by a
complainant and in such circumstances as the court may deem just, the court may
appoint an attorney for such complainant and may authorize the commencement of
the action.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA2C8FA7E83A64C0A88B0DC9E89159C39" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Legal Services Corporation may
not provide legal assistance for or on behalf of any alien, and may not provide
financial assistance to any person or entity that provides legal assistance for
or on behalf of any alien, unless the alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="id52E83EBB24DD49658C6389738342FD43"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is described in subsection (a);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0B5D563ACBF64D7791E0ED90CAD6868C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is present in the United States at the
time the legal assistance is provided.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5F80D237851A4E12A8183FE1B891CDF8" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8758554F0AFC4F21829DA51708CE4166"><enum>(A)</enum><text>No party may bring a
civil action for damages or other complaint on behalf of a nonimmigrant
described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) unless—</text>
<clause id="idA8479BD864D146DB8AC98940A500F82E" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the party makes a request to the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service or an equivalent State program (as
defined by the Secretary of Labor) not later than 90 days before bringing the
action to assist the parties in reaching a satisfactory resolution of all
issues involving parties to the dispute; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idDBC2CC7FEACD458C9DC15C6CBA5B643B" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the parties to the dispute have
attempted, in good faith, mediation or other non-binding dispute resolution of
all issues involving all such parties.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2AC40A80A8D442628C9BDF2516D7FB63" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>If the mediator finds that an
agricultural employer, agricultural association, or farm labor contractor has
corrected a violation of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker
Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1854) or of a regulation under such Act not later
than 14 days after the date on which such agricultural employer, agricultural
association, or farm labor contractor was notified in writing of such
violation, no action may be brought under such Act with respect to such
violation.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1BD356AEFC0543DA9A27E3E1BBBB755B" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Any settlement reached through the
mediation process described in subparagraph (A) shall preclude any right of
action arising out of the same facts between the parties in any Federal or
State court or administrative proceeding.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idEA971208430F4E27A1944E2E1C5000ED" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An employer of a nonimmigrant
described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) shall not be required to permit any
recipient of grants or contracts under section 1007 of the Legal Services
Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996f), or any employee of such recipient, to enter
upon the employer’s property unless such recipient or employee has a
prearranged appointment with a particular worker.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id25AA498343D64117B90D7F5CBED49110" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The employer of a nonimmigrant
described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) shall post the contact information of the
Legal Services Corporation in the dwelling and at the work site of each
nonimmigrant employee.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0995F4BC52E540368C1AB25B638A1DCA" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>There are authorized to be
appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id550D0E05F9864AEA82FF3E92606A4181"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1CD31AF5410E4BD88D5595061B848E7D" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id0101CA30F18147D5A37A34FF9B40BAE4"><enum>(g)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id71A6005E9ECB4BF6A2C7EADFA5B6861F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If a defendant prevails
in an action under this section in which the plaintiff is represented by an
attorney who is employed by the Legal Services Corporation or any entity
receiving funds from the Legal Services Corporation, such entity or the Legal
Services Corporation shall award to the prevailing defendant fees and other
expenses incurred by the defendant in connection with the action.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id898A9A5D0F3842AD8884F4ACECCBFC07" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>As used in this subsection, the term
<term>fees and other expenses</term> has the meaning given the term in section
504(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBE52DF298040436FA7C921E4B6FF3464" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The court shall take whatever steps
necessary, including the imposition of sanctions, to ensure compliance with
this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><enum>III</enum><header>Blue Card
Program</header>
<section id="id01CF4926FDBF439FA65B179A8E749BF0"><enum>301.</enum><header>Admission of
necessary agricultural workers</header>
<subsection id="ID8ad65bd0af9a4563b77a4d1d7b24d6e6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 2 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1181 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 218A, as
added by section 202, the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE79C8162659D4871A0413BE1443AFD06" style="traditional">
<section id="idBD21770F6F6D4206A6B18A2ED34D50A7"><enum>218B.</enum><header>Blue card program</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3D9AE1C459A44B0DB8D9746FB2096BDE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>As
used in this section—</text>
<paragraph id="ID5e4cc362f62a4e559f75c9c8774eb048"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term
<term>agricultural employment</term> means any service or activity that is
considered agricultural under section 3(f) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)), agricultural labor under section 3121(g) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3121(g)), and labor and services
relating to commodities, livestock, dairy, forestry, landscaping, fishing, and
the processing of meat, poultry, and fish;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8c55e2b7ce3c447ca6f7d10d0b1523a8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term
<term>blue card status</term> means the status of an alien who has been—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID272ea3b79899426f8e5aa1827a476a80"><enum>(A)</enum><text>lawfully admitted
for a temporary period for agricultural employment under subsection (b);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5D0E161031A44F1982C5FAB8D17249F4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>issued a
tamper-resistant, machine-readable document that—</text>
<clause id="id876682DC1745447AA312458BA6E53889"><enum>(i)</enum><text>serves as the
alien’s visa, employment authorization, and travel documentation; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id854E5BA0E2734375BBC93EF8EFFD577F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>contains such
biometrics as are required by the Secretary;</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDf517e5dd7dbd4a1fb61216eabdaa2db7"><enum>(3)</enum><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="ID9b93809f34c440bc96104051a4749890"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the term
<term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Homeland Security; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID082ee062d9bf4ab892bd919be825f6de"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the term
<term>United States worker</term> means any worker, including a national of the
United States, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, and any other
alien authorized to work in the relevant job opportunity within the United
States, except—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID84f2eceb83874b9c8eb73e57107cc15c"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an alien admitted
or otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID33bfe7997cf34e298d822ec5786268ee"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an alien admitted
or otherwise provided status as an H–2AA worker; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDbe704498d1bc4211beac126846cbde38"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an alien provided
status under this section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA56A48EF096C4D3B84878636A51BDD02"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Blue card
program</header>
<paragraph id="ID33957247658d40c3840fe5c508916e79"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
may confer blue card status upon an alien who qualifies under this subsection
if, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the
petitioning employer attests and the Secretary determines that the
alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID5daf8d70422c4fffa3213b8cb38046fe"><enum>(A)</enum><text>performed at
least 1600 hours of agricultural employment in the United States for that
employer during 2005;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc144ef4773514efc9e8b751c44510ae0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>except as
otherwise provided under paragraph (2), is otherwise admissible to the United
States under section 212; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8512c44c26de4b43ac6d2e78ea91ec6e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>has never been
convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor in the United States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID42e7e88fcd0746e5917b258e5eaa7b30"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Determination</header><text>In
determining an alien’s eligibility for Blue Card status, the Secretary
shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDb5eb526346f54779a0290341144bca6a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conduct a
background investigation of the alien, including a review of evidence submitted
by the petitioning employer in support of the attestation that the alien meets
the minimum work requirements; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDed3f8dea25b542ee88b0f7422d18ee81"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interview the
alien and require the alien to answer questions concerning the alien’s—</text>
<clause id="id51F2C60FA23E4669B59A5C1FD4483956"><enum>(i)</enum><text>physical and
mental health;</text>
</clause><clause id="id7C206395E8DC4F48A2C75FB8452B241C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>criminal history
and gang membership;</text>
</clause><clause id="id6DD794171FEC4B82B9CFDE1C05067906"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>immigration
history;</text>
</clause><clause id="id66C88035A43C451095CA5FF78C296D58"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>involvement with
groups or individuals that have engaged in terrorism, genocide, persecution, or
who seek the overthrow of the United States government;</text>
</clause><clause id="idFD94EDD2FF704550AF85BD3F0F29828E"><enum>(v)</enum><text>voter
registration history;</text>
</clause><clause id="idFD39B352DAB849E1962308383D4AC7C7"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>claims to United
States citizenship; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id0B0B8B8FC45B428E8F5FAFB82F76B43A"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>tax
history.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE330E0BE260443C495E16FAFEA343585"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Waiver of
certain grounds for inadmissibility</header><text>In determining an alien’s
eligibility for blue card status under paragraph (1)(C)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF9F70C6C527E43038821EF7F0637DF9A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the provisions of
paragraphs (5), (6)(A), (7)(A), and (9)(B) of section 212(a) shall not
apply;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3658114DB0F64A49903C3ACF4C7BCE66"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the provisions of
section 212(a)(6)(C) shall not apply with respect to prior or current
agricultural employment; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1EDAF7AF5DB340BA9F63EDCFCFF8ACF1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Secretary may
not waive paragraph (1),(2), or (3) of section 212(a) unless such waiver is
permitted under another provision of law.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id12447FA4C70C475AA9EE0A85D28BD567"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Petitions</header>
<subparagraph id="id21213AE90109493C947A8F26C1C5EEEC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An employer seeking blue card status under this section
for an alien employee shall file a named petition for blue card status with the
Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD4F608EC378E443B940E7BC4A5051C59"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Employer
petition</header><text>An employer filing a petition under subparagraph (A)
shall—</text>
<clause id="ID05f8b4ea53dc4ff4bc0e7faa9154b566"><enum>(i)</enum><text>pay a
registration fee of $3,000;</text>
</clause><clause id="idC3C97800E01D4443873BF3BB6366D079"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>pay a processing
fee to cover the actual costs incurred in adjudicating the petition;</text>
</clause><clause id="id384E34C8E908484AADFE73CD1AB209AD"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>include an
affidavit signed by the beneficiary of the petition—</text>
<subclause id="idE4D1F72592AC4A3A9B7FCF51A5F26CE6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>that certifies,
under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States, that the
application and any evidence submitted with it is true and correct and that
authorizes the release of any information contained in the petition and
attached evidence for law enforcement purposes; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id1EB5B68F78FB455A803B50EB620645F7"><enum>(II)</enum><text>that includes a
waiver of rights that explains to the alien that, in exchange for the
discretionary benefit of Blue Card status, the alien agrees to waive any right
to administrative or judicial review or appeal of a determination by the
Department of Homeland Security regarding the alien’s eligibility for Blue Card
status; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id8832D91856254E89945F3E14C4851EFF"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>provide an
attestation, valid for not less than 60 days, that the employer—</text>
<subclause id="id0C3A10FEFF0A42FBA6EF429BDF693E56"><enum>(I)</enum><text>conducted
adequate recruitment in the area of intended employment before filing the
petition; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id8F6079EC15294B8EB14CB51C14F5B6CC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>was unsuccessful
in locating qualified United States workers for the job opportunity for which
the certification is sought.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5559729A606E404B9CB56EC4F34EF835"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Adequate
recruitment</header>
<clause id="IDb6c262dfdad0467fab91b524561152c9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Minimum
requirement</header><text>The adequate recruitment requirement under
subparagraph (B)(iii) is satisfied if the employer—</text>
<subclause id="IDda688fcf5abc4b5daa827b548e4f2d40"><enum>(I)</enum><text>places a job
order with the America’s Job Bank Program of the Department of Labor;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID7d2dd788bd6840da9a3f884dd15f139e"><enum>(II)</enum><text>places a Sunday
advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation that is likely to be
patronized by a potential worker in the area of intended employment.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID4db69754cd7343f796f28bd4298a7494"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Advertisement
requirement</header><text>An advertisement under clause (i)(II) shall—</text>
<subclause id="IDfab527b3023548778c2e82c546f2a1b2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>name the
employer;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID47192257c6774f0eb36c18be8bacd663"><enum>(II)</enum><text>direct
applicants to report or send resumes, as appropriate for the occupation, to the
employer;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDe30726c47e0342beb26b848bd16de7af"><enum>(III)</enum><text>provide a
description of the vacancy that is specific enough to apprise United States
workers of the job opportunity for which certification is sought;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID6055d17363524ca990de2c55b6a669ca"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>describe the
geographic area with enough specificity to apprise applicants of any travel
requirements and where applicants will likely have to reside to perform the
job;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID0353012398934b5290f58e2a0a31197d"><enum>(V)</enum><text>state the rate of
pay, which must equal or exceed the wage paid to the H–2A employees in the
occupation in the area of intended employment; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID96bcee11a9f14451952166ec2f541617"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>offer wages,
terms, and conditions of employment, which are at least as favorable as those
offered to the alien.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id11A8CE989FD54F1187127F8F434561D7"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Adjudication of
petitions</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure
that—</text>
<clause id="idD951F79DEAC043B9908D19CFD3A53A99"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the petitioning
process is secure and incorporates anti-fraud protections; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id7ECC2A02EE874CCAB109F99B4BBA62C0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>all petitions
for Blue Card status are processed not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this section.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id15B2603726904E1BBA03BDFB44E1E207"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Notification of
adjudication</header><text>The Secretary shall provide notification of an
adjudication of a petition filed for an alien to the alien and to the employer
who filed such petition.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7e2578aaaebf48f4a16cebc5755d313f"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Effect of
denial</header><text>If the Secretary denies a petition filed for an alien,
such alien shall return to the country of the alien’s nationality or last
residence outside the United States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id933A1FD3E47E4C6193C196A012D1877E"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Blue card
status</header>
<subparagraph id="IDe001bca89b9c49c1989534b6d4419de5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Blue
card</header>
<clause id="ID26722d0ddb2247f995d3abfa7566398d"><enum>(i)</enum><header>All-in-one
card</header><text>The Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of State,
shall develop a single machine-readable, tamper-resistant document that—</text>
<subclause id="IDefabe1d011f643a9b42492d5b496b95a"><enum>(I)</enum><text>authorizes the
alien’s entry into the United States;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID7299e0b1c2ef49c3aab0a3242c3c9f0e"><enum>(II)</enum><text>serves, during
the period an alien is in blue card status, as an employment authorized
endorsement or other appropriate work permit for agricultural employment;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID36ccbc1f310646fcbe1daea19143e02a"><enum>(III)</enum><text>serves as an
entry and exit document to be used in conjunction with a proper visa or as a
visa and as other appropriate travel and entry documentation using biometric
identifiers that meet the biometric identifier standards jointly established by
the Secretary of State and the Secretary.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="IDf1a1750b1b5542fda09d9d0001c08f88"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Biometrics</header>
<subclause id="ID53f3f1dde9264bef9229ec897c463f69"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Submission of
identifiers</header><text>After a petition is filed by an employer and receipt
of such petition is confirmed by the Secretary, the alien, in order to further
adjudicate the petition, shall submit 2 biometric identifiers (such as a
fingerprint and a digital photograph), as required by the Secretary, to an
application support center, which the Secretary shall establish in each
State.</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="IDf2684956f7d14ceea8814324fbf5cca6"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Process</header><text>The
Secretary shall prescribe a process for the submission of a biometric
identifier to be incorporated electronically into an employer’s prior
electronic filing of a petition. The Secretary shall prescribe an alternative
process for employers to file a petition in a manner other than electronic
filing, as needed.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID87378c8db0324f988fed3b77be909ac8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Document
requirements</header><text>The Secretary shall issue a blue card that
is—</text>
<clause id="IDc95a62fc524d4a40965821c275ed77c5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>capable of
reliably determining if the individual with the blue card whose eligibility is
being verified is—</text>
<subclause id="IDe6d96ddf53774a58a6f34a80dbc9082b"><enum>(I)</enum><text>eligible for
employment;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDab8c33ba504b44cd98b92bea0c837cb6"><enum>(II)</enum><text>claiming the
identity of another person; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDac97751b9f2d42e1a9ae9069b3e21f69"><enum>(III)</enum><text>authorized to
be admitted; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID29b1c21650a9496c8f62e14ad3c13c75"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>compatible
with—</text>
<subclause id="ID142e063273f246c99fa6ad1d782ce758"><enum>(I)</enum><text>other databases
maintained by the Secretary to exclude aliens from benefits for which the
aliens are not eligible and determine whether the alien is unlawfully present
in the United States; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID28af1bd784264b3687a7db1d1359afb6"><enum>(II)</enum><text>law enforcement
databases to determine if the alien has been convicted of criminal
offenses.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID714d3f194d064d31adc016c7674864cf"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Authorized
travel</header>
<clause id="id921F2F5BF1D841F7BC8D84B08C11619D"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An alien may make brief visits outside the United States
during the period in which the alien is in blue card status, in accordance with
such regulations as are established by the Secretary, in conjunction with the
Secretary of State.</text>
</clause><clause id="id34AB098668F3419BBE9EE2833968D330"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Readmission</header><text>An
alien may be readmitted to the United States after a visit described in clause
(i) without having to obtain a visa if the alien presents the alien’s blue card
document.</text>
</clause><clause id="id7A7DC1532A5B44C197F2168AC738666B"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Effect of
travel</header><text>Such periods of time spent outside the United States shall
not cause the period of blue card status in the United States to be
extended.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0402c4e44d9549ad88aad91c454f9022"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Portability</header>
<clause id="ID48f4cc7e6a8644b689a8430eb133c703"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>During the period in which an alien is in blue card
status, the alien issued a blue card may accept new employment upon the
Secretary’s receipt of a petition filed by an employer on behalf of the alien.
Employment authorization shall continue for such alien until such petition is
adjudicated.</text>
</clause><clause id="IDb37dc75a2f0b40d091f9b371697400bb"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Effect of
denial</header><text>If a petition filed under clause (i) is denied and the
alien has ceased employment with the previous employer, the authorization under
clause (i) shall terminate and the alien shall be required to return to the
country of the alien’s nationality or last residence.</text>
</clause><clause id="IDdb6b6ba6b2d849fa8ec45928819f5eee"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Fee</header><text>A
fee may be required by the Secretary to cover the actual costs incurred in
adjudicating a petition under this subparagraph. No other fee may be required
under this subparagraph.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID486f8986abfc46a28e62a157c236a36e"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Annual check
in</header><text>The employer of an alien in blue card status who has been
employed for 1 year in blue card status shall confirm the alien’s continued
status with the Secretary electronically or in writing. Such confirmation will
not require a further labor attestation.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID30ad76a5ea444c918cdecd3f6608ec40"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Termination of
blue card status</header><text>The Secretary may terminate the blue card status
of an alien upon a determination by the Secretary that—</text>
<clause id="ID0260548edf084810907442bd71e677c4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>without the
appropriate waiver, the granting of blue card status was the result of fraud or
willful misrepresentation (as described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i);</text>
</clause><clause id="ID68b91664d1c74599922e21b4d084298c"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the alien is
convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor committed in the United States;
or</text>
</clause><clause id="IDd0ab75851c8c47a9a438126d667b36da"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the alien is
deportable or inadmissible under any other provision of this Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDe152be99407f439096b4e8f5d5de32b4"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Period of
authorized admission</header>
<subparagraph id="ID60a9ca1ce6b348e5ac31765a336435cb"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An alien may be granted blue card status for a period not
to exceed 2 years.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDf63427638fde4f729f01f1e4f4177064"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Return to
country</header><text>At the end of the period referred to in subparagraph (A),
the alien shall return to the country of nationality or last residence.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id45DBD15122924F07855FA10538789154"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Eligibility for
nonimmigrant visa</header><text>Upon returning to the country of nationality or
last residence under subparagraph (B), the alien may apply for an H–2A visa, an
H–2AA visa, or any other nonimmigrant visa.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe62b3ed67d0e428cbe1b68ef8bcb788a"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Reporting
requirement</header><text>Not later than 24 hours after an alien with blue card
status ceases to be employed by an employer, such employer shall notify the
Secretary of such cessation of employment. The Secretary shall provide
electronic means for making such notification.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID94844d699b2b4f54b9e82fadb2ba0e07"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Loss of
employment</header>
<clause id="ID7a79f8f4d41e4492b1ee69e87c52e6b6"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The blue card status of an alien shall terminate if the
alien is not employed for 60 or more consecutive days.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID20a70445699349dab93d9416850a07b0"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Return to
country</header><text>An alien whose period of authorized admission terminates
under clause (i) shall return to the country of the alien’s nationality or last
residence.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDba0977bbe2634a1ca98abd2a811536fe"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Grounds for
eligibility</header>
<subparagraph id="ID15e09559856843d4bb01a175f3aa57fa"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Bar to future
visas for condition violations</header><text>If an alien having blue card
status violates any term or condition of such status, the alien shall not be
eligible for such status or for future immigrant and non-immigrant status, as
determined by the Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6981e7fc3d3840729cd642107969750b"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Aliens in H–2A
status</header><text>Any alien in lawful H–2A status between January 1, 2005
and December 31, 2006 shall be ineligible for blue card status.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDb12b6aeb60204451a5053034f02290bb"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Bar of change
or adjustment of status</header>
<subparagraph id="ID8bc5ec48278346a0a92d3963f74c76a1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An alien having blue card status shall not be eligible to
change or adjust status in the United States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDcc99272c8a3a4c1bb13783fe7a2d16bc"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Loss of
eligibility</header><text>An alien having blue card status shall lose
eligibility for such status if the alien—</text>
<clause id="ID1818465b2e154e4eb2a2e6007fcc01ac"><enum>(i)</enum><text>files a petition
to adjust status to legal permanent residence in the United States; or</text>
</clause><clause id="IDf99fc2d3d17841869c54d3a8ec9fe994"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>requests a
consular processing for an immigrant or non-immigrant visa outside the United
States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID9a2a8a6338cc427a87e55fa6b435d3b1"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Judicial
review</header><text>There shall be no judicial review of a denial of blue card
status.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDbbf7ef3d50f147e3934fdf654ade2e59"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Safe
harbor</header>
<paragraph id="IDce457106ad984e9681f56322d40bc062"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Safe harbor for
alien</header><text>An alien for whom a nonfrivolous petition is filed under
this section—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID1337e34682c649b5a1e20de9b7030275"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be granted
employment authorization pending final adjudication of the petition;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDCF0C3AE332A46599DF9AC0EBA5274A0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may not be
detained, determined inadmissible, or deportable, or removed pending final
adjudication of the petition for blue card status, unless the alien commits an
act which renders the alien ineligible for such blue card status; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF8E37FA29E6B4E96804C9C979BAF468A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>may not be
considered an unauthorized alien (as defined in section 274(h)(3)) if the alien
is in possession of a copy of a petition for status until such petition is
adjudicated.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID35d22ab3a3bd4faba4cef21902d60d3f"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Safe harbor for
employer</header>
<subparagraph id="idBC6C793EBD6742C597ED7FF98805C11E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Tax
liability</header><text>An employer that files a petition for blue card status
for an alien shall not be subject to civil and criminal tax liability relating
directly to the employment of such alien.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id739900D149E249268AB1BFB17F33B6C7"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Employment
records</header><text>An employer that provides unauthorized aliens with copies
of employment records or other evidence of employment pursuant to the petition
shall not be subject to civil and criminal liability pursuant to section 274A
for employing such authorized
aliens.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID93d65a29938643adb193c1334ff9e40f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of contents of the Immigration and
Nationality Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
218A, as added by section 202, the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="id9ac25c76-5385-4be7-947a-e27908b13532" style="traditional">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="idBD21770F6F6D4206A6B18A2ED34D50A7" level="section">Sec. 218B. Blue card
program.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID7dd5e3e8bd904d30b36d8f4407c42d97"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Penalties for
false statements</header><text>Section 1546 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID882cb5e202d24d0d831ee8beb8f4ab79"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc8c177c37bef4b74b277a6ddd0b49f0a"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after subsection (b) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA30CC15AE76045ED8BDB1CFEE542D974" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID31a57b79441547bb97f09af824a9ee2e"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Any person,
including the alien who is the beneficiary of a petition, who—</text>
<paragraph id="ID525e987884ff40d1ba11b18debdaec6a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>files a petition
under section 218B(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5791873acdf2412089ae4492f6aa46d2"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE3409BFC3E274DACB9A5ED15AADFC9DE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>knowingly and willfully
falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact related to such a
petition;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id51E32A45F16D48879DCEA86907ADF84D" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>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 related to such a petition; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEA97DC9BBB64429296D5C8EBF0972C74" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>creates or supplies a false writing or
document for use in making such a petition,</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subsection">shall be
fined in accordance with this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or
both.</continuation-text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDb49934f6691345d9889b11d8a39a31cd"><enum>302.</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title shall take
effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</section>