1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Agricultural Job Opportunities,
Benefits, and Security Act of 2005
.
(b)
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I—Adjustment to lawful status
Sec. 101. Agricultural workers.
Sec. 102. Correction of Social Security records.
TITLE II—Reform of h–2a worker program
Sec. 201. Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
TITLE III—Miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 301. Determination and use of user fees.
Sec. 302. Regulations.
Sec. 303. Effective date.
2.
In this Act:
(1)
The term agricultural employment means any service
or activity that is considered to be agricultural under section 3(f) of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)) or agricultural labor under
section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3121(g)). For
purposes of this paragraph, agricultural employment includes employment under
section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).
(2)
The term employer means any person or entity,
including any farm labor contractor and any agricultural association, that
employs workers in agricultural employment.
(3)
The term job opportunity means a job opening for
temporary full-time employment at a place in the United States to which United
States workers can be referred.
(4)
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland
Security.
(5)
A worker is employed on a temporary
basis where
the employment is intended not to exceed 10 months.
(6)
The term United States worker means any worker,
whether a United States citizen or national, a lawfully admitted permanent
resident alien, or any other alien, who is authorized to work in the job
opportunity within the United States, except an alien admitted or otherwise
provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).
(7)
The term work day means any day in which the
individual is employed 1 or more hours in agriculture consistent with the
definition of man-day
under section 3(u) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(u)).
<enum>I</enum>
<header>Adjustment to lawful status</header>
<section id="ID117B6DD9AE6C4DC28E9124811967027B">
<enum>101.</enum>
<header>Agricultural workers</header>
<subsection id="IDA80E11355096451EA0CD7FFDA434E7C9">
<enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Temporary resident status</header>
<paragraph id="idF14A704D6B164CD8902CB6AD1FE7202A">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall
confer upon an alien who qualifies under this subsection the status of an alien
lawfully admitted for temporary residence if the Secretary determines that the
alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="id5D78D3029160410CAE6BF72689C9EBCC">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at
least 575 hours or 100 work days, whichever is less, during any 12 consecutive
months during the 18-month period ending on December 31, 2004;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAAF994F38BC547B3B80FF3B84036ED0E">
<enum>(B)</enum><text>applied for such status during the 18-month
application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins
after the date of enactment of this Act; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDFD0B229DD0EF417A80506F9E809F474E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is otherwise
admissible to the United States under section 212 of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8
U.S.C. 1182), except as otherwise provided under subsection (e)(2).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDCE3A245294D343C38C9683A466ABAC3B">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Authorized travel</header>
<text>During the period an alien is in lawful temporary resident status
granted under this subsection, the alien has the right to travel abroad
(including commutation from a residence abroad) in the same manner as an alien
lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE8DFEC57882A48B39C5F38DDF23BEE67">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Authorized employment</header>
<text>During the period an alien is in lawful temporary resident status
granted under this subsection, the alien shall be provided an <quote>employment
authorized</quote> endorsement or other appropriate work permit, in the same
manner as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA335B878BF9B4C1FA995F8F2061D0C4C">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Termination of temporary resident status</header>
<subparagraph id="idA25F8F12338D429D806214A66724CAE4"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>During the period of temporary resident status granted an
alien under this subsection, the Secretary may terminate such status only upon
a determination under this Act that the alien is deportable.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id753AB9A26BB74271802D7171DBE6A569"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Grounds for
termination of temporary resident status</header><text>Before any alien becomes
eligible for adjustment of status under subsection (c), the Secretary may deny
adjustment to permanent resident status and provide for termination of the
temporary resident status granted such alien under paragraph (1) if—</text>
<clause id="idFE463514D1784F9D8F3BDE9FCF39F53F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
Secretary finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the adjustment to
temporary resident status was the result of fraud or willful misrepresentation
(as described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)); or</text>
</clause><clause id="id6C3533688C944A12905ADD6DB066A5DC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the
alien—</text>
<subclause id="id50D8FDF7EE864ABD9AA2C68B85D6EA89"><enum>(I)</enum><text>commits an act
that makes the alien inadmissible to the United States as an immigrant, except
as provided under subsection (e)(2); or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id7D9B5A565E74490CBB3E67037DEA32D7"><enum>(II)</enum><text>is convicted of
a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors committed in the United States.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDB95AF40AAF1145F3977EB7AE35607DB6">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<header>Record of employment</header>
<subparagraph id="ID62E490DD9EF644259794A8C0B19DA44E">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Each employer of a worker granted status under this subsection
shall annually—</text>
<clause id="ID52A4C0E937C848C595C91CB463E6702A">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>provide a written record of employment to the alien; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID9672CAD00BAC42AC8ACCF09D05F7B287">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>provide a copy of such record to the Secretary.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDC651D690898E49FA9E3ED9EAA950FF4D">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Sunset</header>
<text>The obligation under subparagraph (A) shall terminate on the date
that is 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDFAE043643F9148809B0F9E0A0C00479D">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Rights of aliens granted temporary resident status</header>
<paragraph id="ID22C687D6964442F59F96F2EE46A064C0">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an alien who
acquires the status of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence under
subsection (a), such status not having changed, shall be considered to be an
alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for purposes of any law other
than any provision of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and
Nationality Act</act-name> (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF2B51774CE2745CA978AC820CF227DBD">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Delayed eligibility for certain Federal public
benefits</header>
<text>An alien who acquires the status of an alien lawfully admitted
for temporary residence under subsection (a) as described in paragraph (1)
shall not be eligible, by reason of such acquisition of that status, for any
form of assistance or benefit described in section 403(a) of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C.
1613(a)) until 5 years after the date on which the Secretary confers temporary
resident status upon that alien under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5BCB032374FB4170A74DD027CA0DE7D0">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Terms of employment respecting aliens admitted under this
section</header>
<subparagraph id="IDE95309EA96FA4B2B981D237930463021">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Prohibition</header>
<text>No alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a)
may be terminated from employment by any employer during the period of
temporary resident status except for just cause.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBE5BDCA7990E4295BA62185041203E94">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Treatment of complaints</header>
<clause id="ID6B6EE842086A410D9EB56D4111581EE8">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Establishment of process</header>
<text>The Secretary shall establish a process for the receipt, initial
review, and disposition in accordance with this subparagraph of complaints by
aliens granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) who allege that
they have been terminated without just cause. No proceeding shall be conducted
under this subparagraph with respect to a termination unless the Secretary
determines that the complaint was filed not later than 6 months after the date
of the termination.</text>
</clause><clause id="IDA3D72AC8529349E2BD698CB36A7E002E">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Initiation of arbitration</header>
<text>If the Secretary finds that a complaint has been filed in
accordance with clause (i) and there is reasonable cause to believe that the
complainant was terminated without just cause, the Secretary shall initiate
binding arbitration proceedings by requesting the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service to appoint a mutually agreeable arbitrator from the roster
of arbitrators maintained by such Service for the geographical area in which
the employer is located. The procedures and rules of such Service shall be
applicable to the selection of such arbitrator and to such arbitration
proceedings. The Secretary shall pay the fee and expenses of the arbitrator,
subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID34704B8DF753471AB90A2B5E468562CE">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Arbitration proceedings</header>
<text>The arbitrator shall conduct the proceeding in accordance with
the policies and procedures promulgated by the American Arbitration Association
applicable to private arbitration of employment disputes. The arbitrator shall
make findings respecting whether the termination was for just cause. The
arbitrator may not find that the termination was for just cause unless the
employer so demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence. If the arbitrator
finds that the termination was not for just cause, the arbitrator shall make a
specific finding of the number of days or hours of work lost by the employee as
a result of the termination. The arbitrator shall have no authority to order
any other remedy, including, but not limited to, reinstatement, back pay, or
front pay to the affected employee. Within 30 days from the conclusion of the
arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator shall transmit the findings in the form
of a written opinion to the parties to the arbitration and the Secretary. Such
findings shall be final and conclusive, and no official or court of the United
States shall have the power or jurisdiction to review any such findings.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID69B482F8062A4B029629462189EC9379">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<header>Effect of arbitration findings</header>
<text>If the Secretary receives a finding of an arbitrator that an
employer has terminated an alien granted temporary resident status under
subsection (a) without just cause, the Secretary shall credit the alien for the
number of days or hours of work lost for purposes of the requirement of
subsection (c)(1).</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF5CA3494D23C4FDDA4CFC424013467A1">
<enum>(v)</enum>
<header>Treatment of attorney’s fees</header>
<text>The parties shall bear the cost of their own attorney’s fees
involved in the litigation of the complaint.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID72B1EB086F40453BA848DC2427636131">
<enum>(vi)</enum>
<header>Nonexclusive remedy</header>
<text>The complaint process provided for in this subparagraph is in
addition to any other rights an employee may have in accordance with applicable
law.</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF904CB10A5FC4A5C9319E28C6FDC045D">
<enum>(vii)</enum>
<header>Effect on other actions or proceedings</header>
<text>Any finding of fact or law, judgment, conclusion, or final order
made by an arbitrator in the proceeding before the Secretary shall not be
conclusive or binding in any separate or subsequent action or proceeding
between the employee and the employee’s current or prior employer brought
before an arbitrator, administrative agency, court, or judge of any State or
the United States, regardless of whether the prior action was between the same
or related parties or involved the same facts, except that the arbitrator’s
specific finding of the number of days or hours of work lost by the employee as
a result of the employment termination may be referred to the Secretary
pursuant to clause (iv).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD2223C8F55B1497BA2C79BA84487EE10">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Civil penalties</header>
<clause id="ID5D22DF8E4FBC4A11A468D961879810EC">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>If the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for a
hearing, that an employer of an alien granted temporary resident status under
subsection (a) has failed to provide the record of employment required under
subsection (a)(5) or has provided a false statement of material fact in such a
record, the employer shall be subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not
to exceed $1,000 per violation.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID88B88372E7C14E86984C6E428998C6C8">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Limitation</header>
<text>The penalty applicable under clause (i) for failure to provide
records shall not apply unless the alien has provided the employer with
evidence of employment authorization granted under this section.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID020E7E7C416249BF8FB196D7AE6C8A0D">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Adjustment to permanent residence</header>
<paragraph id="IDF77A70138B214580A6DDD63F7F66E2DD">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Agricultural workers</header>
<subparagraph id="ID58286FE0897C4578875C75C767E8FDDA">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall
adjust the status of an alien granted lawful temporary resident status under
subsection (a) to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if
the Secretary determines that the following requirements are satisfied:</text>
<clause id="ID1ADCC556761D4B518FF3BD3F0B43C3A0">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Qualifying employment</header>
<text>The alien has performed at least 360 work days or 2,060 hours,
but in no case less than 2,060 hours, of agricultural employment in the United
States, during the 6-year period beginning after the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID097A0CA0B8BF4509AA5465884C0562EE">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Qualifying years</header>
<text>The alien has performed at least 75 work days or 430 hours, but
in no case less than 430 hours, of agricultural employment in the United States
in at least 3 nonoverlapping periods of 12 consecutive months during the 6-year
period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. Qualifying periods
under this clause may include nonconsecutive 12-month periods.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID77A2430D2A1C42A2A0BD7C9DC9EA471F">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Qualifying work in first 3 years</header>
<text>The alien has performed at least 240 work days or 1,380 hours,
but in no case less than 1,380 hours, of agricultural employment during the
3-year period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID9ACF7DA398344E119842E5F6A6727A59">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<header>Application period</header>
<text>The alien applies for adjustment of status not later than 7 years
after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID8DA86BD4D74145E6B54674CFAD8616EC">
<enum>(v)</enum>
<header>Proof</header>
<text>In meeting the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), an
alien may submit the record of employment described in subsection (a)(5) or
such documentation as may be submitted under subsection (d)(3).</text>
</clause><clause id="ID836F81CD3B6247139A1C014F030DD008">
<enum>(vi)</enum>
<header>Disability</header>
<text>In determining whether an alien has met the requirements of
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the Secretary shall credit the alien with any
work days lost because the alien was unable to work in agricultural employment
due to injury or disease arising out of and in the course of the alien’s
agricultural employment, if the alien can establish such disabling injury or
disease through medical records.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7E98CDC691EF421BAAC47EDF445B541A">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Grounds for denial of adjustment of status</header>
<text>The Secretary may deny an alien adjustment to permanent resident
status, and provide for termination of the temporary resident status granted
such alien under subsection (a), if—</text>
<clause id="IDA92CAD170F1046E8830B7C4A35CD02E5">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the Secretary finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the
adjustment to temporary resident status was the result of fraud or willful
misrepresentation, as described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8
U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)); or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID7FE39C4AA51542DB8D7E68A896DD6AE0">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>the alien—</text>
<subclause id="ID56F165209A7E4EC3B43F9D641BA3AA30">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>commits an act that makes the alien inadmissible to the United
States under section 212 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and
Nationality Act</act-name> (8 U.S.C. 1182), except as provided under subsection
(e)(2); or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID370C81CBBD294785A00FCF11A7DE2BCA">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>is convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors committed in
the United States.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBD91D9A9AE364E84BB53DADFC06AEAA5">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Grounds for removal</header>
<text>Any alien granted temporary resident status under subsection (a)
who does not apply for adjustment of status under this subsection before the
expiration of the application period described in subparagraph (A)(iv), or who
fails to meet the other requirements of subparagraph (A) by the end of the
applicable period, is deportable and may be removed under section 240 of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8
U.S.C. 1229a). The Secretary shall issue regulations establishing grounds to
waive subparagraph (A)(iii) with respect to an alien who has completed at least
200 days of the work requirement specified in such subparagraph in the event of
a natural disaster which substantially limits the availability of agricultural
employment or a personal emergency that prevents compliance with such
subparagraph.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1280F75F5A56434FA49584092C9651B5">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Spouses and minor children</header>
<subparagraph id="ID393F1DB703ED49908A9F13EEE860AAA3">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall
confer the status of lawful permanent resident on the spouse and minor child of
an alien granted status under paragraph (1), including any individual who was a
minor child on the date such alien was granted temporary resident status, if
the spouse or minor child applies for such status, or if the principal alien
includes the spouse or minor child in an application for adjustment of status
to that of a lawful permanent resident.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4E68DF6CEA0B4C9EA19C96D107050EE4">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Treatment of spouses and minor children before adjustment of
status</header>
<text>A spouse and minor child of an alien granted temporary resident
status under subsection (a) may not be—</text>
<clause id="ID9740D42365844BE6ABCA3853E58A456C">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>removed while such alien maintains such status, except as
provided in subparagraph (C); and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID12B8E083892A450C920D7054A807B664">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>granted authorization to engage in employment in the United
States or be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or
other work permit, unless such employment authorization is granted under
another provision of law.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE8BD72E530854BE4B4D1A9370BD2841D"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Grounds for
denial of adjustment of status and removal</header><text>The Secretary may deny
an alien spouse or child adjustment of status under subparagraph (A) and may
remove such spouse or child under section 240 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a) if the spouse or child—</text>
<clause id="id6B6E2D4EC2BE40D6A5ABFA356EFFD1DE"><enum>(i)</enum><text>commits an act
that makes the alien spouse or child inadmissible to the United States under
section 212 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182), except as provided under subsection
(e)(2); or</text>
</clause><clause id="id36BDA0B8F29E469981E5DDF9CD48277B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is
convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors committed in the United
States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDB40953ECEFFB4C65BDFBF80A3EB44FB9">
<enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Applications</header>
<paragraph id="IDDAE8AAC9B19942498668DC3934B18640">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>To whom may be made</header>
<subparagraph id="ID7E30EFC647E0427CB85F40FAA3446D46">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Within the United States</header>
<text>The Secretary shall provide that—</text>
<clause id="ID189B878EFB5F4B71A10D04DD03904B6A">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>applications for temporary resident status under subsection (a)
may be filed—</text>
<subclause id="ID5081EA81297E4BF4A7A39D0185C040B9">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>with the Secretary, but only if the applicant is represented by
an attorney; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDD4D5A7ABAD5448C1854C7AC516218D35">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>with a qualified designated entity (designated under paragraph
(2)), but only if the applicant consents to the forwarding of the application
to the Secretary; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID2D908689771B4B82B4746FDC7D960EEE">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>applications for adjustment of status under subsection (c) shall
be filed directly with the Secretary.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDFFF3EB766AA44B65BCA26B646C05E865">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Outside the United States</header>
<text>The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, shall
establish a procedure whereby an alien may apply for temporary resident status
under subsection (a) at an appropriate consular office outside the United
States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID62CF985B11EA4699B5B7EE2141F9ADDA">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Preliminary applications</header>
<clause id="ID03DE53D2AEAF4984894A38C2735659FC">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>During the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B),
the Secretary may grant admission to the United States as a temporary resident
and provide an <quote>employment authorized</quote> endorsement or other
appropriate work permit to any alien who presents a preliminary application for
such status under subsection (a) at a designated port of entry on the southern
land border of the United States. An alien who does not enter through a port of
entry is subject to deportation and removal as otherwise provided in this
Act.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3E56B7F5EA1D477DBCEE9C151433406F">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Definition</header>
<text>For purposes of clause (i), the term <term>preliminary
application</term> means a fully completed and signed application which
contains specific information concerning the performance of qualifying
employment in the United States, together with the payment of the appropriate
fee and the submission of photographs and the documentary evidence which the
applicant intends to submit as proof of such employment.</text>
</clause><clause id="IDA5AB7AC1030C4470B0C8D794B7740F04">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Eligibility</header>
<text>An applicant under clause (i) shall otherwise be admissible to
the United States under subsection (e)(2) and shall establish to the
satisfaction of the examining officer during an interview that the applicant’s
claim to eligibility for temporary resident status is credible.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDDE0AA3D45BD642D588B4E77A741B9885">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Travel documentation</header>
<text>The Secretary shall provide each alien granted status under this
section with a counterfeit-resistant document of authorization to enter or
reenter the United States that meets the requirements established by the
Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID0904C531A8584699AB9C6FCB829195AE">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Designation of entities to receive applications</header>
<subparagraph id="ID8E7BCC70B6D843D6B7748B6203E0421C">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>For purposes of receiving applications under subsection (a), the
Secretary—</text>
<clause id="ID2B3B328637804D8789C3723F0D6EB2D8">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>shall designate qualified farm labor organizations and
associations of employers; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID6B22A1175FF043A8941DE52C60FF7878">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>may designate such other persons as the Secretary determines are
qualified and have substantial experience, demonstrate competence, and have
traditional long-term involvement in the preparation and submittal of
applications for adjustment of status under section 209, 210, or 245 of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name>,
Public Law 89–732, Public Law 95–145, or the Immigration Reform and Control Act
of 1986.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID200D0261171A44AB934D785A258E485B">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>References</header>
<text>Organizations, associations, and persons designated under
subparagraph (A) are referred to in this Act as <quote>qualified designated
entities</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDFD2C0ED36929413BB61AD53C7723EF4D">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Proof of eligibility</header>
<subparagraph id="IDDBE499393A8A49378F50BC7C78942565">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An alien may establish that the alien meets the requirement of
subsection (a)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A) through government employment records or
records supplied by employers or collective bargaining organizations, and other
reliable documentation as the alien may provide. The Secretary shall establish
special procedures to properly credit work in cases in which an alien was
employed under an assumed name.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID53D962F2010B4CCDAE4127821F50A85C">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Documentation of work history</header>
<clause id="idF89BF42454754393917547DBBC5BCB06"><enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Burden of proof</header><text>An alien applying for status
under subsection (a)(1) or (c)(1) has the burden of proving by a preponderance
of the evidence that the alien has worked the requisite number of hours or days
(as required under subsection (a)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A)).</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3BA02EA2A93045AD89DAEC33DFDD660A">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Timely production of records</header><text>If an employer or
farm labor contractor employing such an alien has kept proper and adequate
records respecting such employment, the alien’s burden of proof under clause
(i) may be met by securing timely production of those records under regulations
to be promulgated by the Secretary.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID92C2C6CA5EC445F898B6DDCC942384BA">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Sufficient evidence</header><text>An alien can meet the burden
of proof under clause (i) to establish that the alien has performed the work
described in subsection (a)(1)(A) or (c)(1)(A) by producing sufficient evidence
to show the extent of that employment as a matter of just and reasonable
inference.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID867DB75244314D57A8A704FA86376D1E">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Treatment of applications by qualified designated
entities</header>
<text>Each qualified designated entity shall agree to forward to the
Secretary applications filed with it in accordance with paragraph (1)(A)(i)(II)
but shall not forward to the Secretary applications filed with it unless the
applicant has consented to such forwarding. No such entity may make a
determination required by this section to be made by the Secretary. Upon the
request of the alien, a qualified designated entity shall assist the alien in
obtaining documentation of the work history of the alien.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDA8756EC2B804356BD29CE686C9D18AA">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<header>Limitation on access to information</header>
<text>Files and records prepared for purposes of this subsection by
qualified designated entities operating under this subsection are confidential
and the Secretary shall not have access to such files or records relating to an
alien without the consent of the alien, except as allowed by a court order
issued pursuant to paragraph (6).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA3FDDA725AAE42EAACBFFA54300084DE">
<enum>(6)</enum>
<header>Confidentiality of information</header>
<subparagraph id="ID71DD9330212D47BAB48B48E83E962F11">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, neither the
Secretary, nor any other official or employee of the Department of Homeland
Security, or bureau or agency thereof, may—</text>
<clause id="ID3E41E8F61B3B41E9812D64BCAB79E802">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>use the information furnished by the applicant pursuant to an
application filed under this section, the information provided to the applicant
by a person designated under paragraph (2)(A), or any information provided by
an employer or former employer, for any purpose other than to make a
determination on the application, or for enforcement of paragraph (7);</text>
</clause><clause id="ID4F3A9F8348264A21A2D039A4112DE050">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>make any publication whereby the information furnished by any
particular individual can be identified; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID79ED5CA5A56A40F383515278C55D95B2">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>permit anyone other than the sworn officers and employees of the
Department of Homeland Security, or bureau or agency thereof, or, with respect
to applications filed with a qualified designated entity, that qualified
designated entity, to examine individual applications.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id98740FF1E9754258B6DCF7A3E766E313"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Required
disclosures</header><text>The Secretary shall provide the information furnished
under this section, or any other information derived from such furnished
information, to—</text>
<clause id="id7F03ACD11A1F4CBA9C0EDBF55EE83225"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
duly recognized law enforcement entity in connection with a criminal
investigation or prosecution, if such information is requested in writing by
such entity; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id99889B02973F413F8D2C4B225BC6454F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an
official coroner, for purposes of affirmatively identifying a deceased
individual, whether or not the death of such individual resulted from a
crime.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA15374D62B824FDD829EB18AB1D9A364"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Construction</header>
<clause id="idFBCE54E525ED4A65B28F1F4CD52A900D"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the
use, or release, for immigration enforcement purposes or law enforcement
purposes of information contained in files or records of the Department of
Homeland Security pertaining to an application filed under this section, other
than information furnished by an applicant pursuant to the application, or any
other information derived from the application, that is not available from any
other source.</text>
</clause><clause id="id1640E2FDA4F94DA5A7D0D5EF12BF8E3B"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Criminal
convictions</header><text>Information concerning whether the applicant has at
any time been convicted of a crime may be used or released for immigration
enforcement or law enforcement purposes.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD6188F4033CD4612B632A7CEC4162CDE">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Crime</header>
<text>Any person who knowingly uses, publishes, or permits information
to be examined in violation of this paragraph shall be subject to a fine in an
amount not to exceed $10,000.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDF6E3663DAF9547DABB4DF1D3076FE143">
<enum>(7)</enum>
<header>Penalties for false statements in applications</header>
<subparagraph id="IDFFE0C7D3F7F14ED6BFE5B9799C790548">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Criminal penalty</header>
<text>Any person who—</text>
<clause id="ID03D576DC74004B59A01473CE76D27710">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>files an application for status under subsection (a) or (c) and
knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact or
makes any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or
makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any
false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID318D0606685F414A8966040021082CE4">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>creates or supplies a false writing or document for use in making
such an application,</text>
</clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">shall be
fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than
5 years, or both.</continuation-text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBC6A648423084C46B07969CD3F799EEA">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Inadmissibility</header>
<text>An alien who is convicted of a crime under subparagraph (A) shall
be considered to be inadmissible to the United States on the ground described
in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and
Nationality Act</act-name> (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5B3C27CAF7534180A0E944F0BA74A460">
<enum>(8)</enum>
<header>Eligibility for legal services</header>
<text>Section 504(a)(11) of Public Law 104–134 (110 Stat. 1321–53 et
seq.) shall not be construed to prevent a recipient of funds under the Legal
Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.) from providing legal
assistance directly related to an application for adjustment of status under
this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC3CE3633576C4B77899F2B91711C8A99">
<enum>(9)</enum>
<header>Application fees</header>
<subparagraph id="ID1464E8D5C2C3427B8440B30A396623FE">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Fee schedule</header>
<text>The Secretary shall provide for a schedule of fees that—</text>
<clause id="ID36293F779C5D45B6BD934162A345A9F6">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>shall be charged for the filing of applications for status under
subsections (a) and (c); and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID5C501D0A2B9B45A487E4158C9BF4FA74">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>may be charged by qualified designated entities to help defray
the costs of services provided to such applicants.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0D6F7934412B40629DECBC94D8549221">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Prohibition on excess fees by qualified designated
entities</header>
<text>A qualified designated entity may not charge any fee in excess
of, or in addition to, the fees authorized under subparagraph (A)(ii) for
services provided to applicants.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID941EDEE38BC24CBDB610431360719FB9">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Disposition of fees</header>
<clause id="ID39546157A159493A875A83D009F65C29">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a
separate account, which shall be known as the <quote>Agricultural Worker
Immigration Status Adjustment Account</quote>. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, there shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the
account all fees collected under subparagraph (A)(i).</text>
</clause><clause id="IDFC5F69C1A1C742778B799691B95805CD">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Use of fees for application processing</header>
<text>Amounts deposited in the <quote>Agricultural Worker Immigration
Status Adjustment Account</quote> shall remain available to the Secretary until
expended for processing applications for status under subsections (a) and
(c).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDE0389C6CA0FA4158B1537C2FE88FEC8B">
<enum>(e)</enum>
<header>Waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for
inadmissibility</header>
<paragraph id="ID857F96ABDAE748DEA2CD6316F9EBA872">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Numerical limitations do not apply</header>
<text>The numerical limitations of sections 201 and 202 of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8
U.S.C. 1151 and 1152) shall not apply to the adjustment of aliens to lawful
permanent resident status under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID472EA162685643B7A95C73C4F7A4F2BD">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Waiver of certain grounds of inadmissibility</header>
<text>In the determination of an alien’s eligibility for status under
subsection (a)(1)(C) or an alien’s eligibility for adjustment of status under
subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii)(I), the following rules shall apply:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID460006EDCA554133B15F7A0F51563251">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Grounds of exclusion not applicable</header>
<text>The provisions of paragraphs (5), (6)(A), (7)(A), and (9)(B) of
section 212(a) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality
Act</act-name> (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) shall not apply.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA3D95A2C264D42B4831570710BCDBBCD">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Waiver of other grounds</header>
<clause id="IDB7D45C384B1A494EA3F5DEFCB61A29CA">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary may waive any
other provision of such section 212(a) in the case of individual aliens for
humanitarian purposes, to ensure family unity, or if otherwise in the public
interest.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID27747B4E413B41D9B346DBB82604A60B">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Grounds that may not be waived</header>
<text>Paragraphs (2)(A), (2)(B), (2)(C), (3), and (4) of such section
212(a) may not be waived by the Secretary under clause (i).</text>
</clause><clause id="IDFDA3DC588F0245179E7D698A366D66B8">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as affecting the
authority of the Secretary other than under this subparagraph to waive
provisions of such section 212(a).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID406B242F7338405D833CCB863A58D1DE">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Special rule for determination of public charge</header>
<text>An alien is not ineligible for status under this section by
reason of a ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(4) of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8
U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)) if the alien demonstrates a history of employment in the
United States evidencing self-support without reliance on public cash
assistance.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID66897351A9C94E988D0BBC102B868E12">
<enum>(f)</enum>
<header>Temporary stay of removal and work authorization for certain
applicants</header>
<paragraph id="ID7FD5B9A06CF247FFBB65EBB013EFF950">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Before application period</header>
<text>Effective on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall provide that, in the case of an alien who is apprehended before the
beginning of the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B) and who
can establish a nonfrivolous case of eligibility for temporary resident status
under subsection (a) (but for the fact that the alien may not apply for such
status until the beginning of such period), until the alien has had the
opportunity during the first 30 days of the application period to complete the
filing of an application for temporary resident status, the alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDCDF17EEFC8614CFAA0EA50D7B4A6FFF5">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>may not be removed; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7D8A0BBF18184D1EB5F639178FB585A6">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the
United States and be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote>
endorsement or other appropriate work permit for such purpose.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID6C5277A383CE4B8FABBBD440AF26B1A0">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>During application period</header>
<text>The Secretary shall provide that, in the case of an alien who
presents a nonfrivolous application for temporary resident status under
subsection (a) during the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B),
including an alien who files such an application within 30 days of the alien’s
apprehension, and until a final determination on the application has been made
in accordance with this section, the alien—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID78E958DFB62849F9B5DA4883A8568837">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>may not be removed; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDECFFB07E53E94AF8B2D631AC312F0167">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the
United States and be provided an <quote>employment authorized</quote>
endorsement or other appropriate work permit for such purpose.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID9A96FE76C1584C6489477436997FEEA4">
<enum>(g)</enum>
<header>Administrative and judicial review</header>
<paragraph id="ID116976887704487C8D8DFE724EC9CE58">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a
determination respecting an application for status under subsection (a) or (c)
except in accordance with this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC70D4E24682D4D2EBD92510C3F2C1839">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Administrative review</header>
<subparagraph id="ID9AD9828770D44748A78387AD0DA2A2B1">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Single level of administrative appellate review</header>
<text>The Secretary shall establish an appellate authority to provide
for a single level of administrative appellate review of such a
determination.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDC6B3D63ED7CD4089AC0D1996F723A4BE">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Standard for review</header>
<text>Such administrative appellate review shall be based solely upon
the administrative record established at the time of the determination on the
application and upon such additional or newly discovered evidence as may not
have been available at the time of the determination.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID79AA24F5089749B88C34A6B03F396C6C">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Judicial review</header>
<subparagraph id="IDF665F56FF9D84EB1863A992E3BB21DA8">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Limitation to review of removal</header>
<text>There shall be judicial review of such a determination only in
the judicial review of an order of removal under section 242 of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8
U.S.C. 1252).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4F6EC50CF68B4A4E859D799E8EA211F8">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Standard for judicial review</header>
<text>Such judicial review shall be based solely upon the
administrative record established at the time of the review by the appellate
authority and the findings of fact and determinations contained in such record
shall be conclusive unless the applicant can establish abuse of discretion or
that the findings are directly contrary to clear and convincing facts contained
in the record considered as a whole.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID7079C126242D45BDA6D61A0043816550">
<enum>(h)</enum>
<header>Dissemination of information on adjustment program</header>
<text>Beginning not later than the first day of the application period
described in subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary, in cooperation with qualified
designated entities, shall broadly disseminate information respecting the
benefits that aliens may receive under this section and the requirements to be
satisfied to obtain such benefits.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDF1C44B4DDD324E6A992BD585C1C2478A">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Regulations</header>
<text>The Secretary shall issue regulations to implement this section
not later than the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDB4FA566BC8CC4828B94E02923A0251B5">
<enum>(j)</enum>
<header>Effective date</header>
<text>This section shall take effect on the date that regulations are
issued implementing this section on an interim or other basis.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID7FFA6D1E71604831AC279E73652A2BE4">
<enum>(k)</enum>
<header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID0A6ECAB37EFD42F3AF30D47285245B1B">
<enum>102.</enum>
<header>Correction of Social Security records</header>
<subsection id="IDE3352475084242E0A9620278ED88CE24">
<enum>(a)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Section 208(d)(1) of the <act-name parsable-cite="SSA">Social
Security Act</act-name> (42 U.S.C. 408(d)(1)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="IDB2821691B2A34B568EF6EE06A1F412B9">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<text>in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the
end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB668696F6C5C41CBAC4111D10E67C846">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<text>in subparagraph (C), by inserting <quote>or</quote> at the
end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE441E68F889849A6B00A990ACA97B28F">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<text>by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="IDDA64098DE1C346EB9908F59E7C72A239">
<subparagraph id="ID98FA24FB82214C1592890D337D0D758E" indent="up1">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<text>who is granted status as a lawful temporary resident under the
Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005,</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0673B04240674FED8F00265F8EF76155">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<text>by striking <quote>1990.</quote> and inserting <quote>1990, or in
the case of an alien described in subparagraph (D), if such conduct is alleged
to have occurred before the date on which the alien was granted lawful
temporary resident status.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDE5633A03AA2840869AAB67E99E3A7EAC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on
the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of
this Act.</text>
</subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum>
<header>Reform of H–2A worker program</header>
<section id="ID32712EEFA5DD4264B8D688BCD83C73ED">
<enum>201.</enum>
<header>Amendment to the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and
Nationality Act</act-name></header>
<subsection id="ID018DC52284634130A42DB50127F05276">
<enum>(a)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>The <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality
Act</act-name> is amended by striking section 218 (8 U.S.C. 1188) and inserting
the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="ID66AAA1D7D4874D09A16A54FAD57644A5" style="traditional">
<section id="ID0E9FBB5BC31349EF9DAF7EE3A417B790">
<enum>218.</enum>
<header>H–2A employer applications</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ID756CD0B2627E42BEA99249A5550AF71E"><enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Applications to the Secretary of Labor</header>
<paragraph id="ID65B3786206FC4B5F97C7FCB2BAACB7EC">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>No alien may be admitted to the United States as an H–2A
worker, or otherwise provided status as an H–2A worker, unless the employer has
filed with the Secretary of Labor an application containing—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDC2001D79AA4E49FFBD8DD4270A3BFAB6">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>the assurances described in subsection (b);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDFD4A667F45AE4985A61DA3A522AE9EBD">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>a description of the nature and location of the work to be
performed;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID710DA4A9DC7C4362B82CC2F4257CCFED">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<text>the anticipated period (expected beginning and ending dates)
for which the workers will be needed; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDF304FA16EE2446188B61BFF473620196">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<text>the number of job opportunities in which the employer seeks to
employ the workers.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5F3FD71B54DB41E09FDCBC0A05A46DE9">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Accompanied by job offer</header>
<text>Each application filed under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied
by a copy of the job offer describing the wages and other terms and conditions
of employment and the bona fide occupational qualifications that shall be
possessed by a worker to be employed in the job opportunity in question.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID61550AF6E364407BAFEB60171732C135">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Assurances for inclusion in applications</header><text>The
assurances referred to in subsection (a)(1) are the following:</text>
<paragraph id="ID3692DDDBC6DB4207B0FC96BF12461B56">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Job opportunities covered by collective bargaining
agreements</header>
<text>With respect to a job opportunity that is covered under a
collective bargaining agreement:</text>
<subparagraph id="IDDAD515F13A9546F88E3A7B7D8D4D6AF1">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Union contract described</header>
<text>The job opportunity is covered by a union contract which was
negotiated at arm’s length between a bona fide union and the employer.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4609C21DF2604B948182376FC30AF515">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Strike or lockout</header>
<text>The specific job opportunity for which the employer is
requesting an H–2A worker is not vacant because the former occupant is on
strike or being locked out in the course of a labor dispute.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID30103D47F6F3483185B41C9D892EBEA2">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Notification of bargaining representatives</header>
<text>The employer, at the time of filing the application, has
provided notice of the filing under this paragraph to the bargaining
representative of the employer’s employees in the occupational classification
at the place or places of employment for which aliens are sought.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7DA17519ED654B8A99C52CDD35024818">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Temporary or seasonal job opportunities</header>
<text>The job opportunity is temporary or seasonal.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID21FFE50B9F874AB49FFC3028054B7553">
<enum>(E)</enum>
<header>Offers to United States workers</header>
<text>The employer has offered or will offer the job to any eligible
United States worker who applies and is equally or better qualified for the job
for which the nonimmigrant is, or the nonimmigrants are, sought and who will be
available at the time and place of need.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDABB567BEE0984119AD4504544566F19E">
<enum>(F)</enum>
<header>Provision of insurance</header>
<text>If the job opportunity is not covered by the State workers’
compensation law, the employer will provide, at no cost to the worker,
insurance covering injury and disease arising out of, and in the course of, the
worker’s employment which will provide benefits at least equal to those
provided under the State’s workers’ compensation law for comparable
employment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID8B2533100C6D4BFBBDB40F048E12FA42">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Job opportunities not covered by collective bargaining
agreements</header>
<text>With respect to a job opportunity that is not covered under a
collective bargaining agreement:</text>
<subparagraph id="IDA0180C83BD6C41D19D49CEB914E50EBF">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Strike or lockout</header>
<text>The specific job opportunity for which the employer is
requesting an H–2A worker is not vacant because the former occupant is on
strike or being locked out in the course of a labor dispute.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID96361259F3A54BC5837EC0E105C2FDE7">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Temporary or seasonal job opportunities</header>
<text>The job opportunity is temporary or seasonal.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5532B1C3BF6046F792AD3C7FFF56E799">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Benefit, wage, and working conditions</header>
<text>The employer will provide, at a minimum, the benefits, wages,
and working conditions required by section 218A to all workers employed in the
job opportunities for which the employer has applied under subsection (a) and
to all other workers in the same occupation at the place of employment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDEB1E070E6D0A4FE0A6869C337CE54B4B">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Nondisplacement of United States workers</header>
<text>The employer did not displace and will not displace a United
States worker employed by the employer during the period of employment and for
a period of 30 days preceding the period of employment in the occupation at the
place of employment for which the employer seeks approval to employ H–2A
workers.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5182621D21234675A52AEC4DEF741A0C">
<enum>(E)</enum>
<header>Requirements for placement of nonimmigrant with other
employers</header>
<text>The employer will not place the nonimmigrant with another
employer unless—</text>
<clause id="ID9CDDBA05F1164502BE08735095BF522B">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the nonimmigrant performs duties in whole or in part at 1 or
more work sites owned, operated, or controlled by such other employer;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDE3CC76D6B316422F9F4AA4BB2C197A4F">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>there are indicia of an employment relationship between the
nonimmigrant and such other employer; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDE821679E45C14BD693BA0C740A773BE7">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>the employer has inquired of the other employer as to whether,
and has no actual knowledge or notice that, during the period of employment and
for a period of 30 days preceding the period of employment, the other employer
has displaced or intends to displace a United States worker employed by the
other employer in the occupation at the place of employment for which the
employer seeks approval to employ H–2A workers.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDC64A913514B54F98B9BE2ABE0BBA26AE">
<enum>(F)</enum>
<header>Statement of liability</header>
<text>The application form shall include a clear statement explaining
the liability under subparagraph (E) of an employer if the other employer
described in such subparagraph displaces a United States worker as described in
such subparagraph.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA7A3760407604AEABBA33C99C204CE54">
<enum>(G)</enum>
<header>Provision of insurance</header>
<text>If the job opportunity is not covered by the State workers’
compensation law, the employer will provide, at no cost to the worker,
insurance covering injury and disease arising out of and in the course of the
worker’s employment which will provide benefits at least equal to those
provided under the State’s workers’ compensation law for comparable
employment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID54DB8CD0EBB24741A1DFBB9473692BC8">
<enum>(H)</enum>
<header>Employment of United States workers</header>
<clause id="IDD985C7EE57334B33BEEB3B3020F08953">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Recruitment</header>
<text>The employer has taken or will take the following steps to
recruit United States workers for the job opportunities for which the H–2A
nonimmigrant is, or H–2A nonimmigrants are, sought:</text>
<subclause id="ID9570047D301C4D91B45922FCB6065623">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<header>Contacting former workers</header>
<text>The employer shall make reasonable efforts through the sending
of a letter by United States Postal Service mail, or otherwise, to contact any
United States worker the employer employed during the previous season in the
occupation at the place of intended employment for which the employer is
applying for workers and has made the availability of the employer’s job
opportunities in the occupation at the place of intended employment known to
such previous workers, unless the worker was terminated from employment by the
employer for a lawful job-related reason or abandoned the job before the worker
completed the period of employment of the job opportunity for which the worker
was hired.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID8516FBC36A864DAE8D3704F237F051EE">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<header>Filing a job offer with the local office of the State
employment security agency</header>
<text>Not later than 28 days before the date on which the employer
desires to employ an H–2A worker in a temporary or seasonal agricultural job
opportunity, the employer shall submit a copy of the job offer described in
subsection (a)(2) to the local office of the State employment security agency
which serves the area of intended employment and authorize the posting of the
job opportunity on <quote>America’s Job Bank</quote> or other electronic job
registry, except that nothing in this subclause shall require the employer to
file an interstate job order under section 653 of title 20, Code of Federal
Regulations.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID69FA6AFFB70F493F942BA9E662FBF8C4">
<enum>(III)</enum>
<header>Advertising of job opportunities</header>
<text>Not later than 14 days before the date on which the employer
desires to employ an H–2A worker in a temporary or seasonal agricultural job
opportunity, the employer shall advertise the availability of the job
opportunities for which the employer is seeking workers in a publication in the
local labor market that is likely to be patronized by potential farm
workers.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID842B7B3ED91C46B7B5C7B9F77EBF9025">
<enum>(IV)</enum>
<header>Emergency procedures</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall, by regulation, provide a
procedure for acceptance and approval of applications in which the employer has
not complied with the provisions of this subparagraph because the employer’s
need for H–2A workers could not reasonably have been foreseen.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="IDEF4FAA80E64141E0B551EA61D29B856C">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Job offers</header>
<text>The employer has offered or will offer the job to any eligible
United States worker who applies and is equally or better qualified for the job
for which the nonimmigrant is, or nonimmigrants are, sought and who will be
available at the time and place of need.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID22349945F4CA40A49E87797E7D1C0BAF">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Period of employment</header>
<text>The employer will provide employment to any qualified United
States worker who applies to the employer during the period beginning on the
date on which the foreign worker departs for the employer’s place of employment
and ending on the date on which 50 percent of the period of employment for
which the foreign worker who is in the job was hired has elapsed, subject to
the following requirements:</text>
<subclause id="IDB03EB54E6111479C9E637807267951F3">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<header>Prohibition</header>
<text>No person or entity shall willfully and knowingly withhold
United States workers before the arrival of H–2A workers in order to force the
hiring of United States workers under this clause.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID3664BFE890284741A52895FC2BF50CDC">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<header>Complaints</header>
<text>Upon receipt of a complaint by an employer that a violation of
subclause (I) has occurred, the Secretary of Labor shall immediately
investigate. The Secretary of Labor shall, within 36 hours of the receipt of
the complaint, issue findings concerning the alleged violation. If the
Secretary of Labor finds that a violation has occurred, the Secretary of Labor
shall immediately suspend the application of this clause with respect to that
certification for that date of need.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID7A3C4DF0CFEE46A791151E01721DC601">
<enum>(III)</enum>
<header>Placement of United States workers</header>
<text>Before referring a United States worker to an employer during
the period described in the matter preceding subclause (I), the Secretary of
Labor shall make all reasonable efforts to place the United States worker in an
open job acceptable to the worker, if there are other job offers pending with
the job service that offer similar job opportunities in the area of intended
employment.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID37121B61B2C04517988523DD5DCAF0CE">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<header>Statutory construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to prohibit an
employer from using such legitimate selection criteria relevant to the type of
job that are normal or customary to the type of job involved so long as such
criteria are not applied in a discriminatory manner.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDF15C9499E81D4D8BA6C4E426ED9271C9">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Applications by associations on behalf of employer
members</header>
<paragraph id="ID407040801B62407789CF00F291CA76B9">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An agricultural association may file an application under
subsection (a) on behalf of 1 or more of its employer members that the
association certifies in its application has or have agreed in writing to
comply with the requirements of this section and sections 218A through
218C.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5B7397BC70D14AB294CDCE78E6BE9134">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Treatment of associations acting as employers</header>
<text>If an association filing an application under paragraph (1) is
a joint or sole employer of the temporary or seasonal agricultural workers
requested on the application, the certifications granted under subsection
(e)(2)(B) to the association may be used for the certified job opportunities of
any of its producer members named on the application, and such workers may be
transferred among such producer members to perform the agricultural services of
a temporary or seasonal nature for which the certifications were
granted.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID12119AE347C34BB69D7C27CF5DF383FC">
<enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Withdrawal of applications</header>
<paragraph id="ID34CE4C8C2C1042B1B9C64F38C80B8112">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An employer may withdraw an application filed pursuant to
subsection (a), except that if the employer is an agricultural association, the
association may withdraw an application filed pursuant to subsection (a) with
respect to 1 or more of its members. To withdraw an application, the employer
or association shall notify the Secretary of Labor in writing, and the
Secretary of Labor shall acknowledge in writing the receipt of such withdrawal
notice. An employer who withdraws an application under subsection (a), or on
whose behalf an application is withdrawn, is relieved of the obligations
undertaken in the application.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE57CDEA20DD04B32826AD618261F59E7">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Limitation</header>
<text>An application may not be withdrawn while any alien provided
status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) pursuant to such application is
employed by the employer.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB6EE4472AD6A4AE580191B336C79FD47">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Obligations under other statutes</header>
<text>Any obligation incurred by an employer under any other law or
regulation as a result of the recruitment of United States workers or H–2A
workers under an offer of terms and conditions of employment required as a
result of making an application under subsection (a) is unaffected by
withdrawal of such application.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDE3B1035A71D542439204F01ED3F2978E">
<enum>(e)</enum>
<header>Review and approval of applications</header>
<paragraph id="ID083E3A048819405DA6AF2745C3F287EA">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Responsibility of employers</header>
<text>The employer shall make available for public examination,
within 1 working day after the date on which an application under subsection
(a) is filed, at the employer’s principal place of business or work site, a
copy of each such application (and such accompanying documents as are
necessary).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEB1BA141B983470C900DBE42FE407241">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Responsibility of the Secretary of Labor</header>
<subparagraph id="ID7AD4D7216B314239B04958666B6B0A23">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Compilation of list</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall compile, on a current basis, a
list (by employer and by occupational classification) of the applications filed
under this subsection. Such list shall include the wage rate, number of workers
sought, period of intended employment, and date of need. The Secretary of Labor
shall make such list available for examination in the District of
Columbia.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID92FA3204417B4F14AB4BD4F0922C5CF1">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Review of applications</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall review such an application only
for completeness and obvious inaccuracies. Unless the Secretary of Labor finds
that the application is incomplete or obviously inaccurate, the Secretary of
Labor shall certify that the intending employer has filed with the Secretary of
Labor an application as described in subsection (a). Such certification shall
be provided within 7 days of the filing of the application.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID76827F7C90A14CEFA75D44058B7C33D4">
<enum>218A.</enum>
<header>H–2A employment
requirements</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ID4AD5D48A7C9F4DED913F389D250FC2CA"><enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Preferential treatment of aliens
prohibited</header><text>Employers seeking to hire United States workers shall
offer the United States workers no less than the same benefits, wages, and
working conditions that the employer is offering, intends to offer, or will
provide to H–2A workers. Conversely, no job offer may impose on United States
workers any restrictions or obligations which will not be imposed on the
employer’s H–2A workers.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID662337463D3341A1AA372A7DC2A15F51">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Minimum benefits, wages, and working
conditions</header><text>Except in cases where higher benefits, wages, or
working conditions are required by the provisions of subsection (a), in order
to protect similarly employed United States workers from adverse effects with
respect to benefits, wages, and working conditions, every job offer which shall
accompany an application under section 218(b)(2) shall include each of the
following benefit, wage, and working condition provisions:</text>
<paragraph id="IDB9D9BA2AAA5643178FF6179004236336">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Requirement to provide housing or a housing
allowance</header>
<subparagraph id="IDE10BF8F9889D4AC9A04C44FBAEA0EDDB">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An employer applying under section 218(a) for H–2A workers
shall offer to provide housing at no cost to all workers in job opportunities
for which the employer has applied under that section and to all other workers
in the same occupation at the place of employment, whose place of residence is
beyond normal commuting distance.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9D27E9338B5A4983B4B275E629AF6DCB">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Type of housing</header>
<text>In complying with subparagraph (A), an employer may, at the
employer’s election, provide housing that meets applicable Federal standards
for temporary labor camps or secure housing that meets applicable local
standards for rental or public accommodation housing or other substantially
similar class of habitation, or in the absence of applicable local standards,
State standards for rental or public accommodation housing or other
substantially similar class of habitation. In the absence of applicable local
or State standards, Federal temporary labor camp standards shall apply.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID378CB5961DF942048A97C930216B8696">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Family housing</header>
<text>When it is the prevailing practice in the occupation and area
of intended employment to provide family housing, family housing shall be
provided to workers with families who request it.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID23ECA84CD4954EBEB68CC3CCF10476AA">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Workers engaged in the range production of livestock</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations that address the
specific requirements for the provision of housing to workers engaged in the
range production of livestock.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID18287129782146D29DFE4D5BE643DEDB">
<enum>(E)</enum>
<header>Limitation</header>
<text>Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require an
employer to provide or secure housing for persons who were not entitled to such
housing under the temporary labor certification regulations in effect on June
1, 1986.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID56C5BEEA29374CD5A6AEDF7693863447">
<enum>(F)</enum>
<header>Charges for housing</header>
<clause id="IDAE3B4A36ED66470DAF588180913820CE">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Charges for public housing</header>
<text>If public housing provided for migrant agricultural workers
under the auspices of a local, county, or State government is secured by an
employer, and use of the public housing unit normally requires charges from
migrant workers, such charges shall be paid by the employer directly to the
appropriate individual or entity affiliated with the housing’s
management.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID689B1AE316A849D78C6B863B1CBDDE82">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Deposit charges</header>
<text>Charges in the form of deposits for bedding or other similar
incidentals related to housing shall not be levied upon workers by employers
who provide housing for their workers. An employer may require a worker found
to have been responsible for damage to such housing which is not the result of
normal wear and tear related to habitation to reimburse the employer for the
reasonable cost of repair of such damage.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDCA5F2022466C476D9211A0E5FD09AE00">
<enum>(G)</enum>
<header>Housing allowance as alternative</header>
<clause id="ID1A270194A91F4A3FA56E98726FDA4715">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>If the requirement under clause (ii) is satisfied, the employer
may provide a reasonable housing allowance instead of offering housing under
subparagraph (A). Upon the request of a worker seeking assistance in locating
housing, the employer shall make a good faith effort to assist the worker in
identifying and locating housing in the area of intended employment. An
employer who offers a housing allowance to a worker, or assists a worker in
locating housing which the worker occupies, pursuant to this clause shall not
be deemed a housing provider under section 203 of the Migrant and Seasonal
Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1823) solely by virtue of
providing such housing allowance. No housing allowance may be used for housing
which is owned or controlled by the employer.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID346D82B41FF74B59916899016EC372C9">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Certification</header>
<text>The requirement of this clause is satisfied if the Governor of
the State certifies to the Secretary of Labor that there is adequate housing
available in the area of intended employment for migrant farm workers, and H–2A
workers, who are seeking temporary housing while employed at farm work. Such
certification shall expire after 3 years unless renewed by the Governor of the
State.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID5A24F3C7422E4375A4F27365CC9F79BD">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Amount of allowance</header>
<subclause id="ID1B53858704884646B610011E32DD8582">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<header>Nonmetropolitan counties</header>
<text>If the place of employment of the workers provided an allowance
under this subparagraph is a nonmetropolitan county, the amount of the housing
allowance under this subparagraph shall be equal to the statewide average fair
market rental for existing housing for nonmetropolitan counties for the State,
as established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to
section 8(c) of the <act-name parsable-cite="USHA">United States Housing Act of
1937</act-name> (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="ID7DD47CE527274E05895F30900A6031E7">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<header>Metropolitan counties</header>
<text>If the place of employment of the workers provided an allowance
under this paragraph is in a metropolitan county, the amount of the housing
allowance under this subparagraph shall be equal to the statewide average fair
market rental for existing housing for metropolitan counties for the State, as
established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to
section 8(c) of the <act-name parsable-cite="USHA">United States Housing Act of
1937</act-name> (42 U.S.C. 1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an
assumption of 2 persons per bedroom.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID46958F3CD5174EEFA485F432C3C0A732">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Reimbursement of transportation</header>
<subparagraph id="ID8576544F9D064AE4B3A0ED5C8AFC9922">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>To place of employment</header>
<text>A worker who completes 50 percent of the period of employment
of the job opportunity for which the worker was hired shall be reimbursed by
the employer for the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence from
the place from which the worker came to work for the employer (or place of last
employment, if the worker traveled from such place) to the place of
employment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID594257C6FDAF4B498F9FB827ACE5FE20">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>From place of employment</header>
<text>A worker who completes the period of employment for the job
opportunity involved shall be reimbursed by the employer for the cost of the
worker’s transportation and subsistence from the place of employment to the
place from which the worker, disregarding intervening employment, came to work
for the employer, or to the place of next employment, if the worker has
contracted with a subsequent employer who has not agreed to provide or pay for
the worker’s transportation and subsistence to such subsequent employer’s place
of employment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3F9D66FFBD454C8DA9EABED094539732">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Limitation</header>
<clause id="ID122239F8A2DC46F4B78C18664141E866">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Amount of reimbursement</header>
<text>Except as provided in clause (ii), the amount of reimbursement
provided under subparagraph (A) or (B) to a worker or alien shall not exceed
the lesser of—</text>
<subclause id="IDA5D089ABA3A449DB8C0E1E754D7E3BE0">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>the actual cost to the worker or alien of the transportation
and subsistence involved; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID728328BA2AE34AF79FF8E0C5E5D6E762">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>the most economical and reasonable common carrier
transportation charges and subsistence costs for the distance involved.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID62999DB0C31B4E2D8C403D048D56509E">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Distance traveled</header>
<text>No reimbursement under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be
required if the distance traveled is 100 miles or less, or the worker is not
residing in employer-provided housing or housing secured through an allowance
as provided in paragraph (1)(G).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID000E8B71D2874F0DBA32C45255B61B81">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Early termination</header>
<text>If the worker is laid off or employment is terminated for
contract impossibility (as described in paragraph (4)(D)) before the
anticipated ending date of employment, the employer shall provide the
transportation and subsistence required by subparagraph (B) and,
notwithstanding whether the worker has completed 50 percent of the period of
employment, shall provide the transportation reimbursement required by
subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID57475AC5A5574364A193C2DAFC439FA5">
<enum>(E)</enum>
<header>Transportation between living quarters and work site</header>
<text>The employer shall provide transportation between the worker’s
living quarters and the employer’s work site without cost to the worker, and
such transportation will be in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID3E6645D462D140D9A1E6D28DA9F4B5B4">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Required wages</header>
<subparagraph id="IDB390D5982196448EADA189463779276C">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An employer applying for workers under section 218(a) shall
offer to pay, and shall pay, all workers in the occupation for which the
employer has applied for workers, not less (and is not required to pay more)
than the greater of the prevailing wage in the occupation in the area of
intended employment or the adverse effect wage rate. No worker shall be paid
less than the greater of the hourly wage prescribed under section 6(a)(1) of
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) or the applicable
State minimum wage.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDCE5F39A17A244C348154AC3B273808D1">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Limitation</header>
<text>Effective on the date of enactment of the Agricultural Job
Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005 and continuing for 3 years
thereafter, no adverse effect wage rate for a State may be more than the
adverse effect wage rate for that State in effect on January 1, 2003, as
established by section 655.107 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7B55873F457146A38346FCA9CC4D99D8">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Required wages after 3-year freeze</header>
<clause id="ID39399A0E23A64D1E863CDD15CB5A4098">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>First adjustment</header>
<text>If Congress does not set a new wage standard applicable to this
section before the first March 1 that is not less than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this section, the adverse effect wage rate for each State
beginning on such March 1 shall be the wage rate that would have resulted if
the adverse effect wage rate in effect on January 1, 2003, had been annually
adjusted, beginning on March 1, 2006, by the lesser of—</text>
<subclause id="idB2D42656E0CB45ED8AE001F9E10E4FB4"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the 12 month
percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers between
December of the second preceding year and December of the preceding year;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id16BDE4A4705B47908065DC9D9A06CFA4"><enum>(II)</enum><text>4
percent.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID798407B749C24AD9B68DA2AF6358E81A">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Subsequent annual adjustments</header>
<text>Beginning on the first March 1 that is not less than 4 years
after the date of enactment of this section, and each March 1 thereafter, the
adverse effect wage rate then in effect for each State shall be adjusted by the
lesser of—</text>
<subclause id="id22D3FE9CC66E43FE9B4A2201A5FF13CB"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the 12 month
percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers between
December of the second preceding year and December of the preceding year;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id0EBDD1DCFA264681ACA4E679A5576865"><enum>(II)</enum><text>4
percent.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9F9E6B299D4847C8B204274133C029CE">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Deductions</header>
<text>The employer shall make only those deductions from the worker’s
wages that are authorized by law or are reasonable and customary in the
occupation and area of employment. The job offer shall specify all deductions
not required by law which the employer will make from the worker’s
wages.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6A789817492C4F0DAB6F43D020B1CA7E">
<enum>(E)</enum>
<header>Frequency of pay</header>
<text>The employer shall pay the worker not less frequently than
twice monthly, or in accordance with the prevailing practice in the area of
employment, whichever is more frequent.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4D580D381AF041C99717CE2540BABAAE">
<enum>(F)</enum>
<header>Hours and earnings statements</header>
<text>The employer shall furnish to the worker, on or before each
payday, in 1 or more written statements—</text>
<clause id="ID075CE27008CB45519E3ACDFB7C66EE72">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the worker’s total earnings for the pay period;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDE0FF3FE7C6BB4FB9B9C7F12C288C40BA">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>the worker’s hourly rate of pay, piece rate of pay, or
both;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDE79284733E584D2CA97D5AF3B0746A5F">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>the hours of employment which have been offered to the worker
(broken out by hours offered in accordance with and over and above the
three-quarters guarantee described in paragraph (4);</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF73D2CA69A564947B297C5E8C57EF5AC">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<text>the hours actually worked by the worker;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF5B3E20ABB7C4387A712EC6D31C7F8D3">
<enum>(v)</enum>
<text>an itemization of the deductions made from the worker’s wages;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDE2C158ED21C64BEF8B70609E08C7C327">
<enum>(vi)</enum>
<text>if piece rates of pay are used, the units produced
daily.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBF075722F7BF4D04AFC1D6B84964D0CB">
<enum>(G)</enum>
<header>Report on wage protections</header>
<text>Not later than June 1, 2007, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary of Labor, the
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, and Committee on the Judiciary of the
House of Representatives, a report that addresses—</text>
<clause id="IDCD07442C150B471E9FA239596AA48909">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>whether the employment of H–2A or unauthorized aliens in the
United States agricultural work force has depressed United States farm worker
wages below the levels that would otherwise have prevailed if alien farm
workers had not been employed in the United States;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDEA92326990904624B1B7CF00D272C97D">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to prevent
wages of United States farm workers in occupations in which H–2A workers are
employed from falling below the wage levels that would have prevailed in the
absence of the employment of H–2A workers in those occupations;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID78CCA4C961904A5CB81209CB9C1213F5">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>whether alternative wage standards, such as a prevailing wage
standard, would be sufficient to prevent wages in occupations in which H–2A
workers are employed from falling below the wage level that would have
prevailed in the absence of H–2A employment;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID83109CCF69064732A030F715C74F0259">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<text>whether any changes are warranted in the current methodologies
for calculating the adverse effect wage rate and the prevailing wage;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3DDB3C45BA8740A4A497EE1E1FF3C241">
<enum>(v)</enum>
<text>recommendations for future wage protection under this
section.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDDB14C97A80F840BC904527E4B6020E72">
<enum>(H)</enum>
<header>Commission on wage standards</header>
<clause id="ID6F4273BC937E4174A3F7F31FA4A43D45">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Establishment</header>
<text>There is established the Commission on Agricultural Wage
Standards under the H–2A program (in this subparagraph referred to as the
<quote>Commission</quote>).</text>
</clause><clause id="ID0DF6C39F92BF4C2697C9AB0C5560A85C">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Composition</header>
<text>The Commission shall consist of 10 members as follows:</text>
<subclause id="IDB03B4F418C774786944CB49742ED7E06">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>4 representatives of agricultural employers and 1
representative of the Department of Agriculture, each appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID1EF29D78737849A1BD19192C130C55D1">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>4 representatives of agricultural workers and 1 representative
of the Department of Labor, each appointed by the Secretary of Labor.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="IDCE0F8502FCC743E0A7FED9F0E2AD899A">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Functions</header>
<text>The Commission shall conduct a study that shall address—</text>
<subclause id="IDDED93D23B55A4CB697605247266AA85D">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>whether the employment of H–2A or unauthorized aliens in the
United States agricultural workforce has depressed United States farm worker
wages below the levels that would otherwise have prevailed if alien farm
workers had not been employed in the United States;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID2C1E4503293B453E83D8319C01473F7C">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to prevent
wages of United States farm workers in occupations in which H–2A workers are
employed from falling below the wage levels that would have prevailed in the
absence of the employment of H–2A workers in those occupations;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDBB502B34E9414C68976E8834110A79F1">
<enum>(III)</enum>
<text>whether alternative wage standards, such as a prevailing wage
standard, would be sufficient to prevent wages in occupations in which H–2A
workers are employed from falling below the wage level that would have
prevailed in the absence of H–2A employment;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID5953D26524554475B259072677B3F837">
<enum>(IV)</enum>
<text>whether any changes are warranted in the current methodologies
for calculating the adverse effect wage rate and the prevailing wage rate;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDE26FF36E8253451983FEC161549F5E29">
<enum>(V)</enum>
<text>recommendations for future wage protection under this
section.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID3B1CC33CBE01413C96FBFBB40A00DC68">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<header>Final report</header>
<text>Not later than June 1, 2007, the Commission shall submit a
report to the Congress setting forth the findings of the study conducted under
clause (iii).</text>
</clause><clause id="ID7A5CDC703E104E9B89787B1B29FA572C">
<enum>(v)</enum>
<header>Termination date</header>
<text>The Commission shall terminate upon submitting its final
report.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2173BEE48D7E4DB4964100B0C6F1E257">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Guarantee of employment</header>
<subparagraph id="ID02B3AB08920C499F8507BBEC2F0CA4F7">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Offer to worker</header>
<text>The employer shall guarantee to offer the worker employment for
the hourly equivalent of at least three-fourths of the work days of the total
period of employment, beginning with the first work day after the arrival of
the worker at the place of employment and ending on the expiration date
specified in the job offer. For purposes of this subparagraph, the hourly
equivalent means the number of hours in the work days as stated in the job
offer and shall exclude the worker’s Sabbath and Federal holidays. If the
employer affords the United States or H–2A worker less employment than that
required under this paragraph, the employer shall pay such worker the amount
which the worker would have earned had the worker, in fact, worked for the
guaranteed number of hours.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID15C52E8C9AB143AB9C2D9D069D3614A4">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Failure to work</header>
<text>Any hours which the worker fails to work, up to a maximum of
the number of hours specified in the job offer for a work day, when the worker
has been offered an opportunity to do so, and all hours of work actually
performed (including voluntary work in excess of the number of hours specified
in the job offer in a work day, on the worker’s Sabbath, or on Federal
holidays) may be counted by the employer in calculating whether the period of
guaranteed employment has been met.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDCDA7D2B745894CFFB06CD1CDE36FE55A">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Abandonment of employment, termination for cause</header>
<text>If the worker voluntarily abandons employment before the end of
the contract period, or is terminated for cause, the worker is not entitled to
the <quote>three-fourths guarantee</quote> described in subparagraph
(A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDEAD47590D4D646C182C7363B2059C42C">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Contract impossibility</header>
<text>If, before the expiration of the period of employment specified
in the job offer, the services of the worker are no longer required for reasons
beyond the control of the employer due to any form of natural disaster,
including but not limited to a flood, hurricane, freeze, earthquake, fire,
drought, plant or animal disease or pest infestation, or regulatory drought,
before the guarantee in subparagraph (A) is fulfilled, the employer may
terminate the worker’s employment. In the event of such termination, the
employer shall fulfill the employment guarantee in subparagraph (A) for the
work days that have elapsed from the first work day after the arrival of the
worker to the termination of employment. In such cases, the employer will make
efforts to transfer the United States worker to other comparable employment
acceptable to the worker. If such transfer is not effected, the employer shall
provide the return transportation required in paragraph (2)(D).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID09B005F428804E7281C583EDF6EA0366">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<header>Motor vehicle safety</header>
<subparagraph id="ID7C6B708F373C474486140DA712D135AC">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Mode of transportation subject to coverage</header>
<clause id="IDB06947A606044A94814A8FFA91CEE774">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Except as provided in clauses (iii) and (iv), this subsection
applies to any H–2A employer that uses or causes to be used any vehicle to
transport an H–2A worker within the United States.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID7CD894229E8F4E05A40035AEC00F81C5">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Defined term</header>
<text>In this paragraph, the term <term>uses or causes to be
used</term>—</text>
<subclause id="id3519B7AF55884CC9AE84896118FEBCC1"><enum>(I)</enum><text>applies only to
transportation provided by an H–2A employer to an H–2A worker, or by a farm
labor contractor to an H–2A worker at the request or direction of an H–2A
employer; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID5ED8F8A9840B46569C50367C79954A1E">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>does not apply to—</text>
<item id="ID83FF3237123C47C78C1C814694DFA0A8">
<enum>(aa)</enum>
<text>transportation provided, or transportation arrangements made,
by an H–2A worker, unless the employer specifically requested or arranged such
transportation; or</text>
</item><item id="IDF620FC0DFF52440BA288A85FF29A5DE4">
<enum>(bb)</enum>
<text>car pooling arrangements made by H–2A workers themselves, using
1 of the workers’ own vehicles, unless specifically requested by the employer
directly or through a farm labor contractor.</text>
</item></subclause></clause><clause id="IDE3A73C3E13DD45E58935EDCA250720B3">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Clarification</header><text>Providing a job offer to an H–2A
worker that causes the worker to travel to or from the place of employment, or
the payment or reimbursement of the transportation costs of an H–2A worker by
an H–2A employer, shall not constitute an arrangement of, or participation in,
such transportation.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3D3E6E376DB6467EBEC8E95E2852BA99">
<enum>(iv)</enum>
<header>Agricultural machinery and equipment excluded</header>
<text>This subsection does not apply to the transportation of an H–2A
worker on a tractor, combine, harvester, picker, or other similar machinery or
equipment while such worker is actually engaged in the planting, cultivating,
or harvesting of agricultural commodities or the care of livestock or poultry
or engaged in transportation incidental thereto.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID0BCE9AE665D249188694E5C90AA75921">
<enum>(v)</enum>
<header>Common carriers excluded</header>
<text>This subsection does not apply to common carrier motor vehicle
transportation in which the provider holds itself out to the general public as
engaging in the transportation of passengers for hire and holds a valid
certification of authorization for such purposes from an appropriate Federal,
State, or local agency.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID27CAB2E2133643FAA4A13405B409517E">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Applicability of standards, licensing, and insurance
requirements</header>
<clause id="IDA22F7C4AC3E244F28C60F33AE757E6C4">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>When using, or causing to be used, any vehicle for the purpose
of providing transportation to which this subparagraph applies, each employer
shall—</text>
<subclause id="ID07ABE148C96E4CCE88EF5347524FEEF6">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>ensure that each such vehicle conforms to the standards
prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under section 401(b) of the Migrant and
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1841(b)) and other
applicable Federal and State safety standards;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDBA0164CD1E2B486194E0C97F36F0DD06">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>ensure that each driver has a valid and appropriate license, as
provided by State law, to operate the vehicle; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDB66AA42E648448A5A4A516ED09295ECE">
<enum>(III)</enum>
<text>have an insurance policy or a liability bond that is in effect
which insures the employer against liability for damage to persons or property
arising from the ownership, operation, or causing to be operated, of any
vehicle used to transport any H–2A worker.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID261E6D71A38E4812BC004E3A835DCF77">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Amount of insurance required</header>
<text>The level of insurance required shall be determined by the
Secretary of Labor pursuant to regulations to be issued under this
subsection.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID7C5F922BD6BA47199EBCA2E83BC1C89A">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<header>Effect of workers’ compensation coverage</header>
<text>If the employer of any H–2A worker provides workers’
compensation coverage for such worker in the case of bodily injury or death as
provided by State law, the following adjustments in the requirements of
subparagraph (B)(i)(III) relating to having an insurance policy or liability
bond apply:</text>
<subclause id="IDF303974051CB466FB4D441E577E2105C">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text>No insurance policy or liability bond shall be required of the
employer, if such workers are transported only under circumstances for which
there is coverage under such State law.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDCEB79A45899540BE9F57B168F48D4A93">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text>An insurance policy or liability bond shall be required of the
employer for circumstances under which coverage for the transportation of such
workers is not provided under such State law.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDDBF4EA673DAB4D968CCB1388C89C8629">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Compliance with labor laws</header><text>An employer shall
assure that, except as otherwise provided in this section, the employer will
comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local labor laws, including laws
affecting migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, with respect to all United
States workers and alien workers employed by the employer, except that a
violation of this assurance shall not constitute a violation of the Migrant and
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID1E700114E4E1499DB8F0ED113B069F9A">
<enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Copy of job offer</header><text>The employer shall provide to
the worker, not later than the day the work commences, a copy of the employer’s
application and job offer described in section 218(a), or, if the employer will
require the worker to enter into a separate employment contract covering the
employment in question, such separate employment contract.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6C353BCFEEAA499BA362BBBA0C34B8DF">
<enum>(e)</enum>
<header>Range production of livestock</header><text>Nothing in this
section, section 218, or section 218B shall preclude the Secretary of Labor and
the Secretary from continuing to apply special procedures and requirements to
the admission and employment of aliens in occupations involving the range
production of livestock.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDD140EF68380F4155BC6EC228CA667D2C">
<enum>218B.</enum>
<header>Procedure for admission and extension
of stay of H–2A workers</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ID5EFA230BC07240409BE39867C55344DF"><enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Petitioning for admission</header><text>An employer, or an
association acting as an agent or joint employer for its members, that seeks
the admission into the United States of an H–2A worker may file a petition with
the Secretary. The petition shall be accompanied by an accepted and currently
valid certification provided by the Secretary of Labor under section
218(e)(2)(B) covering the petitioner.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID4A1C1992F3ED488CBC8EABCE2001FB38">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Expedited adjudication by the Secretary</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish a procedure for expedited adjudication of petitions
filed under subsection (a) and within 7 working days shall, by fax, cable, or
other means assuring expedited delivery, transmit a copy of notice of action on
the petition to the petitioner and, in the case of approved petitions, to the
appropriate immigration officer at the port of entry or United States consulate
(as the case may be) where the petitioner has indicated that the alien
beneficiary (or beneficiaries) will apply for a visa or admission to the United
States.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDCA88B148AA1947279D09C0FD06120EE7">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Criteria for admissibility</header>
<paragraph id="IDA3C904278019484986AD7A720561AF10">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An H–2A worker shall be considered admissible to the United
States if the alien is otherwise admissible under this section, section 218,
and section 218A, and the alien is not ineligible under paragraph (2).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDFDC3501EEA4C43CB93B0BF0380619B51">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Disqualification</header>
<text>An alien shall be considered inadmissible to the United States
and ineligible for nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) if
the alien has, at any time during the past 5 years—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDBD61129DE1444E3D89FAD86F87E11D08">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>violated a material provision of this section, including the
requirement to promptly depart the United States when the alien’s authorized
period of admission under this section has expired; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDCA216BD2BA0A48A68B318955A63065CA">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>otherwise violated a term or condition of admission into the
United States as a nonimmigrant, including overstaying the period of authorized
admission as such a nonimmigrant.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDB51950AC62834A2F8495D28848354C51">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Waiver of ineligibility for unlawful presence</header>
<subparagraph id="ID548A6D10C8124A88BEE5FA810D8E44B1">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An alien who has not previously been admitted into the United
States pursuant to this section, and who is otherwise eligible for admission in
accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), shall not be deemed inadmissible by
virtue of section 212(a)(9)(B). If an alien described in the preceding sentence
is present in the United States, the alien may apply from abroad for H–2A
status, but may not be granted that status in the United States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8B8EAA9331624372B62FE38087F22CF4">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Maintenance of waiver</header>
<text>An alien provided an initial waiver of ineligibility pursuant
to subparagraph (A) shall remain eligible for such waiver unless the alien
violates the terms of this section or again becomes ineligible under section
212(a)(9)(B) by virtue of unlawful presence in the United States after the date
of the initial waiver of ineligibility pursuant to subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDF90E47CFC3754973AD2F8FB9B67EB933">
<enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Period of admission</header>
<paragraph id="ID8DC9A64470CF4FF6B10A31FEE83B111E">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>The alien shall be admitted for the period of employment in the
application certified by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to section
218(e)(2)(B), not to exceed 10 months, supplemented by a period of not more
than 1 week before the beginning of the period of employment for the purpose of
travel to the work site and a period of 14 days following the period of
employment for the purpose of departure or extension based on a subsequent
offer of employment, except that—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID87CA38BCBE144039856936DA5291BF69">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>the alien is not authorized to be employed during such 14-day
period except in the employment for which the alien was previously authorized;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7F3D644FB2DF408C9A4CF406FF6897DC">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>the total period of employment, including such 14-day period,
may not exceed 10 months.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDCF74950D4B204C63A87E7203148ED184">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this subsection shall limit the authority of the
Secretary to extend the stay of the alien under any other provision of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDE797856DFCD045DAACACC681815C0882">
<enum>(e)</enum>
<header>Abandonment of employment</header>
<paragraph id="ID12874A466D4E4DD4A7DFE59D70DC5129">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>An alien admitted or provided status under section
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) who abandons the employment which was the basis for such
admission or status shall be considered to have failed to maintain nonimmigrant
status as an H–2A worker and shall depart the United States or be subject to
removal under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID885ACFE89783490F8BF5BD4905FEE1C6">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Report by employer</header>
<text>The employer, or association acting as agent for the employer,
shall notify the Secretary not later than 7 days after an H–2A worker
prematurely abandons employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9B3F656C66E846AFB9E8BF0DB450F988">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Removal by the Secretary</header>
<text>The Secretary shall promptly remove from the United States any
H–2A worker who violates any term or condition of the worker’s nonimmigrant
status.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID57D5DB392347414C90CFC7545CF2715D">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Voluntary termination</header>
<text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an alien may voluntarily
terminate his or her employment if the alien promptly departs the United States
upon termination of such employment.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID17D00A1BED15440188C5814196AFA300">
<enum>(f)</enum>
<header>Replacement of alien</header>
<paragraph id="ID9BD6CFAF29B54DF5963E754F81FC0E67">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Upon presentation of the notice to the Secretary required by
subsection (e)(2), the Secretary of State shall promptly issue a visa to, and
the Secretary shall admit into the United States, an eligible alien designated
by the employer to replace an H–2A worker—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID44A9D7DAA545470988AB5700BAD36175">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>who abandons or prematurely terminates employment; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID256268FF5C09478DBFFC4F6E9E32B624">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>whose employment is terminated after a United States worker is
employed pursuant to section 218(b)(2)(H)(iii), if the United States worker
voluntarily departs before the end of the period of intended employment or if
the employment termination is for a lawful job-related reason.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDC5261CE0D195426CBE2C20B437A2487C">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit any preference
required to be accorded United States workers under any other provision of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDA83BB8FD74EE434DB57EDC6FE2FA9FCB">
<enum>(g)</enum>
<header>Identification document</header>
<paragraph id="ID9E95CA85B96544C0964AFBAD888FD783">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Each alien authorized to be admitted under section
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) shall be provided an identification and employment
eligibility document to verify eligibility for employment in the United States
and verify such person’s proper identity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4E6FADCC142845249DD02727FB435DAF">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Requirements</header>
<text>No identification and employment eligibility document may be
issued which does not meet the following requirements:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID9511FB33CD4D4F77B388B329B8BDD2A2">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>The document shall be capable of reliably determining
whether—</text>
<clause id="ID9E955BC6941E4363AF12D35A0E0F17B2">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the individual with the identification and employment
eligibility document whose eligibility is being verified is in fact eligible
for employment;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID2FFD915CE7994DFCBAABF21702E13EC8">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>the individual whose eligibility is being verified is claiming
the identity of another person; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDA09CCF83B532436A804670ADCDD970E1">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>the individual whose eligibility is being verified is
authorized to be admitted into, and employed in, the United States as an H–2A
worker.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1E4AD152AD384920B7063EF8CDD1A55A">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>The document shall be in a form that is resistant to
counterfeiting and to tampering.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1344418BF4BA42DE90711F5588546720">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<text>The document shall—</text>
<clause id="ID351CD896A2CD47EE929B8754F2A5CBB8">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>be compatible with other databases of the Secretary for the
purpose of excluding aliens from benefits for which they are not eligible and
determining whether the alien is unlawfully present in the United States;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDC0A19078CA8F4155B98D52E2169E32EB">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>be compatible with law enforcement databases to determine if
the alien has been convicted of criminal offenses.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDEA2660D1D2B44F0CA22F389714AC1E04">
<enum>(h)</enum>
<header>Extension of stay of h–2A aliens in the United
States</header>
<paragraph id="ID8182ED62459F4DC39D3F86E0F80FCA32">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Extension of stay</header>
<text>If an employer seeks approval to employ an H–2A alien who is
lawfully present in the United States, the petition filed by the employer or an
association pursuant to subsection (a), shall request an extension of the
alien’s stay and a change in the alien’s employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE2F20D54739C4A7AAC13456483382713">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Limitation on filing a petition for extension of
stay</header>
<text>A petition may not be filed for an extension of an alien’s
stay—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID2E461F612B724D5FB0F5CCFE37D60CC6">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>for a period of more than 10 months; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID40D557BC0C4D49E39EF20E7AB511988E">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>to a date that is more than 3 years after the date of the
alien’s last admission to the United States under this section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID4E94AE9C893D4AA788608406943A25CD">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Work authorization upon filing a petition for extension of
stay</header>
<subparagraph id="id7476F4111A6647FEBFB8D9BC631EAA18"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An alien who is lawfully present in the United States may
commence the employment described in a petition under paragraph (1) on the date
on which the petition is filed.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEE5D07D5F9DD412288E3062053AF7490"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For
purposes of subparagraph (A), the term <term>file</term> means sending the
petition by certified mail via the United States Postal Service, return receipt
requested, or delivered by guaranteed commercial delivery which will provide
the employer with a documented acknowledgment of the date of receipt of the
petition.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA946F193002E4A5E8DFBEFD971AB10F8"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Handling of
petition</header><text>The employer shall provide a copy of the employer’s
petition to the alien, who shall keep the petition with the alien’s
identification and employment eligibility document as evidence that the
petition has been filed and that the alien is authorized to work in the United
States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF746FFB218F740F6ADD5208926551B3D"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Approval of
petition</header><text>Upon approval of a petition for an extension of stay or
change in the alien’s authorized employment, the Secretary shall provide a new
or updated employment eligibility document to the alien indicating the new
validity date, after which the alien is not required to retain a copy of the
petition.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDF665ABE736A145749D3C86DBC01F3A45">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Limitation on employment authorization of aliens without
valid identification and employment eligibility document</header>
<text>An expired identification and employment eligibility document,
together with a copy of a petition for extension of stay or change in the
alien’s authorized employment that complies with the requirements of paragraph
(1), shall constitute a valid work authorization document for a period of not
more than 60 days beginning on the date on which such petition is filed, after
which time only a currently valid identification and employment eligibility
document shall be acceptable.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID38EA61CF0CBC4DBC945BF63ADB6D0194">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<header>Limitation on an individual’s stay in status</header>
<subparagraph id="IDAB41C845ABF54B8AA829B654F9C09365">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Maximum period</header>
<text>The maximum continuous period of authorized status as an H–2A
worker (including any extensions) is 3 years.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID19A685A048E54AD3B911728C98B909D2">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Requirement to remain outside the United States</header>
<clause id="ID02FC3A22C70A4C4EAA3AE792FCA70534">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>Subject to clause (ii), in the case of an alien outside the
United States whose period of authorized status as an H–2A worker (including
any extensions) has expired, the alien may not again apply for admission to the
United States as an H–2A worker unless the alien has remained outside the
United States for a continuous period equal to at least
<fraction>1/5</fraction> the duration of the alien’s previous period of
authorized status as an H–2A worker (including any extensions).</text>
</clause><clause id="ID17A28E1458D94B21BC9C055FA78608F3">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<header>Exception</header>
<text>Clause (i) shall not apply in the case of an alien if the
alien’s period of authorized status as an H–2A worker (including any
extensions) was for a period of not more than 10 months and such alien has been
outside the United States for at least 2 months during the 12 months preceding
the date the alien again is applying for admission to the United States as an
H–2A worker.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDE4674584C30F4CC68B66BD3A9BDA1219">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<header>Special rules for aliens employed as
sheepherders</header><text>Notwithstanding any provision of the Agricultural
Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005, aliens admitted under
section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) for employment as sheepherders—</text>
<paragraph id="ID18E4BB7409FC4CC98454B1DE045197B8">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<text>may be admitted for a period of 12 months;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDCE69D8A3C0F14E1D92AD4E59E3673F65">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<text>may be extended for a continuous period of up to 3 years;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD864FB806A9A4FD6BA65882E022D3A77">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<text>shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (h)(5)
relating to periods of absence from the United States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDF767D632F74C41F38967B473CE1EDDB3">
<enum>218C.</enum>
<header>Worker protections and labor standards
enforcement</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ID729B4BE72F70426893570D96D834E24E"><enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Enforcement authority</header>
<paragraph id="IDFF5548CBB5384D9DB2D4C8DFE4B31A0A">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Investigation of complaints</header>
<subparagraph id="IDABBBBF18FB044674BCF0A5E932D66DE9">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Aggrieved person or third-party complaints</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall establish a process for the
receipt, investigation, and disposition of complaints respecting a petitioner’s
failure to meet a condition specified in section 218(b), or an employer’s
misrepresentation of material facts in an application under section 218(a).
Complaints may be filed by any aggrieved person or organization (including
bargaining representatives). No investigation or hearing shall be conducted on
a complaint concerning such a failure or misrepresentation unless the complaint
was filed not later than 12 months after the date of the failure, or
misrepresentation, respectively. The Secretary of Labor shall conduct an
investigation under this subparagraph if there is reasonable cause to believe
that such a failure or misrepresentation has occurred.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4D9EA5D9E162486983FEE9C2196C4CD5">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Determination on complaint</header>
<text>Under such process, the Secretary of Labor shall provide,
within 30 days after the date such a complaint is filed, for a determination as
to whether or not a reasonable basis exists to make a finding described in
subparagraph (C), (D), (E), or (H). If the Secretary of Labor determines that
such a reasonable basis exists, the Secretary of Labor shall provide for notice
of such determination to the interested parties and an opportunity for a
hearing on the complaint, in accordance with section 556 of title 5, United
States Code, within 60 days after the date of the determination. If such a
hearing is requested, the Secretary of Labor shall make a finding concerning
the matter not later than 60 days after the date of the hearing. In the case of
similar complaints respecting the same applicant, the Secretary of Labor may
consolidate the hearings under this subparagraph on such complaints.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4FAED7DF7FB34D18A0A96291EA91F9E3">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Failures to meet conditions</header>
<text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity
for a hearing, a failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B),
(1)(D), (1)(F), (2)(A), (2)(B), or (2)(G) of section 218(b), a substantial
failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(C), (1)(E), (2)(C), (2)(D),
(2)(E), or (2)(H) of section 218(b), or a material misrepresentation of fact in
an application under section 218(a)—</text>
<clause id="IDDE0C778A933042E1892F8A73E6752C6C">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of such
finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies
(including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per
violation) as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID8680748007E448F8A60323F9C2E2FEB3">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the employment
of aliens described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) for a period of 1
year.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID944EED6B1D8F496FBD90BEF730ED52B2">
<enum>(D)</enum>
<header>Willful failures and willful misrepresentations</header>
<text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity
for hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of section 218(b), a willful
misrepresentation of a material fact in an application under section 218(a), or
a violation of subsection (d)(1)—</text>
<clause id="ID1E0BB04D76334D0AA6FF716BB08C4D5F">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of such
finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies
(including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per
violation) as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF2CD9ECB15A349659FD32371329F1CBE">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>the Secretary of Labor may seek appropriate legal or equitable
relief to effectuate the purposes of subsection (d)(1); and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDCB3E56621B384CDDA62228E55626CAD4">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the employment
of H–2A workers for a period of 2 years.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID725B941241B24D4DB6B3506677B685B2">
<enum>(E)</enum>
<header>Displacement of United States workers</header>
<text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity
for hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of section 218(b) or a
willful misrepresentation of a material fact in an application under section
218(a), in the course of which failure or misrepresentation the employer
displaced a United States worker employed by the employer during the period of
employment on the employer’s application under section 218(a) or during the
period of 30 days preceding such period of employment—</text>
<clause id="ID2A3E7DCD9CE747DE9245E88DC1C5C5CE">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of such
finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies
(including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $15,000 per
violation) as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDDE44E13EAE4B46E8AC45AEC1D5598F27">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the employment
of H–2A workers for a period of 3 years.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID79308D65249940F280026A568F818E0B">
<enum>(F)</enum>
<header>Limitations on civil money penalties</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall not impose total civil money
penalties with respect to an application under section 218(a) in excess of
$90,000.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDCD8E02E34F274DDDAC059FFA13D7E069">
<enum>(G)</enum>
<header>Failures to pay wages or required benefits</header>
<text>If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity
for a hearing, that the employer has failed to pay the wages, or provide the
housing allowance, transportation, subsistence reimbursement, or guarantee of
employment, required under section 218A(b), the Secretary of Labor shall assess
payment of back wages, or other required benefits, due any United States worker
or H–2A worker employed by the employer in the specific employment in question.
The back wages or other required benefits under section 218A(b) shall be equal
to the difference between the amount that should have been paid and the amount
that actually was paid to such worker.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID49239622A1914B7BB9ED0772D766162A">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Statutory construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the
authority of the Secretary of Labor to conduct any compliance investigation
under any other labor law, including any law affecting migrant and seasonal
agricultural workers, or, in the absence of a complaint under this section,
under section 218 or 218A.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID981301B2912343BE8CEE20454DFD1FEB">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Rights enforceable by private right of
action</header><text>H–2A workers may enforce the following rights through the
private right of action provided in subsection (c), and no other right of
action shall exist under Federal or State law to enforce such rights:</text>
<paragraph id="ID171E9A6F63E3443691DBD4B08FD27531">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<text>The providing of housing or a housing allowance as required
under section 218A(b)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID14A6B39F6A7E44798B571CD53C011C53">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<text>The reimbursement of transportation as required under section
218A(b)(2).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID42B02F62F332459A9F21780B1B1CF7A4">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<text>The payment of wages required under section 218A(b)(3) when
due.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDE7BEB821B8340979383A612C867974A">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<text>The benefits and material terms and conditions of employment
expressly provided in the job offer described in section 218(a)(2), not
including the assurance to comply with other Federal, State, and local labor
laws described in section 218A(c), compliance with which shall be governed by
the provisions of such laws.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5DB9AC66C4524BA5AA97CF6AA62F76AC">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<text>The guarantee of employment required under section
218A(b)(4).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC59575339E974F8DAF7C5B13695FF4FD">
<enum>(6)</enum>
<text>The motor vehicle safety requirements under section
218A(b)(5).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4D63E7E8E2414846AA67EAB4A07AFDBA">
<enum>(7)</enum>
<text>The prohibition of discrimination under subsection
(d)(2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDB825FB8166B94657809158A9D095D8AE">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Private right of action</header>
<paragraph id="ID428523D2EB8143CE885955205C7DC3D7">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Mediation</header>
<text>Upon the filing of a complaint by an H–2A worker aggrieved by a
violation of rights enforceable under subsection (b), and within 60 days of the
filing of proof of service of the complaint, a party to the action may file a
request with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist the
parties in reaching a satisfactory resolution of all issues involving all
parties to the dispute. Upon a filing of such request and giving of notice to
the parties, the parties shall attempt mediation within the period specified in
subparagraph (B).</text>
<subparagraph id="IDCB560C1FC76B463EAB37748620A125B4">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>Mediation services</header>
<text>The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall be
available to assist in resolving disputes arising under subsection (b) between
H–2A workers and agricultural employers without charge to the parties.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID729E88BA903D4C2698BD3C16ED621960">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>90-day limit</header>
<text>The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service may conduct
mediation or other non-binding dispute resolution activities for a period not
to exceed 90 days beginning on the date on which the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service receives the request for assistance unless the parties
agree to an extension of this period of time.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA63BC86B40694DC4A8B90B9AFAA28EF7">
<enum>(C)</enum>
<header>Authorization</header>
<clause id="id9B4CA279DAF04050AD3037C367D85899"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service $500,000 for
each fiscal year to carry out this section.</text>
</clause><clause id="idC946AFA2CF434CB78A9A5DBC955C96A2"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Mediation</header><text>Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Director of the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service is authorized to conduct the mediation or other dispute
resolution activities from any other appropriated funds available to the
Director and to reimburse such appropriated funds when the funds are
appropriated pursuant to this authorization, such reimbursement to be credited
to appropriations currently available at the time of receipt.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID715EFAF27BEE4F8CABFF909B3A67B98F">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Maintenance of civil action in district court by aggrieved
person</header>
<text>An H–2A worker aggrieved by a violation of rights enforceable
under subsection (b) by an agricultural employer or other person may file suit
in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the parties,
without regard to the amount in controversy, without regard to the citizenship
of the parties, and without regard to the exhaustion of any alternative
administrative remedies under this Act, not later than 3 years after the date
the violation occurs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3D485828BECE4B3AB9B33D93B80E54EA">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Election</header>
<text>An H–2A worker who has filed an administrative complaint with
the Secretary of Labor may not maintain a civil action under paragraph (2)
unless a complaint based on the same violation filed with the Secretary of
Labor under subsection (a)(1) is withdrawn before the filing of such action, in
which case the rights and remedies available under this subsection shall be
exclusive.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID49FB819A86424283A0529EC97DC6D140">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Preemption of State contract rights</header>
<text>Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the rights
and remedies of an H–2A worker under any other Federal or State law or
regulation or under any collective bargaining agreement, except that no court
or administrative action shall be available under any State contract law to
enforce the rights created by this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB3BEC4CF86174FE1AC8D37770A62A1C1">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<header>Waiver of rights prohibited</header>
<text>Agreements by employees purporting to waive or modify their
rights under this Act shall be void as contrary to public policy, except that a
waiver or modification of the rights or obligations in favor of the Secretary
of Labor shall be valid for purposes of the enforcement of this Act. The
preceding sentence may not be construed to prohibit agreements to settle
private disputes or litigation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE3805C6D28DD451EB8905D17282610D2">
<enum>(6)</enum>
<header>Award of damages or other equitable relief</header>
<subparagraph id="ID86B007B74ACC4EF3BA27E803BDD9ADE8">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>If the court finds that the respondent has intentionally
violated any of the rights enforceable under subsection (b), it shall award
actual damages, if any, or equitable relief.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDC61BC88EBD3542D596C93613CFB191FB">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>Any civil action brought under this section shall be subject to
appeal as provided in chapter 83 of title 28, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDF274B16DF7584EE6930DABF05AC52187">
<enum>(7)</enum>
<header>Workers’ compensation benefits; exclusive remedy</header>
<subparagraph id="IDD8C9D22F7F6049008C8C83F0E53551E8">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a
State’s workers’ compensation law is applicable and coverage is provided for an
H–2A worker, the workers’ compensation benefits shall be the exclusive remedy
for the loss of such worker under this section in the case of bodily injury or
death in accordance with such State’s workers’ compensation law.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDE560416B04494C06B7BF987D65AB7B93">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>The exclusive remedy prescribed in subparagraph (A) precludes
the recovery under paragraph (6) of actual damages for loss from an injury or
death but does not preclude other equitable relief, except that such relief
shall not include back or front pay or in any manner, directly or indirectly,
expand or otherwise alter or affect—</text>
<clause id="IDD251433691644F0DBEA85FBAD6173E98">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>a recovery under a State workers’ compensation law; or</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF5B67882CDA14D88A7178EC50A32221A">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>rights conferred under a State workers’ compensation
law.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID93E8B5F489E0456DB97B2CB4CA178AB5">
<enum>(8)</enum>
<header>Tolling of statute of limitations</header>
<text>If it is determined under a State workers’ compensation law
that the workers’ compensation law is not applicable to a claim for bodily
injury or death of an H–2A worker, the statute of limitations for bringing an
action for actual damages for such injury or death under subsection (c) shall
be tolled for the period during which the claim for such injury or death under
such State workers’ compensation law was pending. The statute of limitations
for an action for actual damages or other equitable relief arising out of the
same transaction or occurrence as the injury or death of the H–2A worker shall
be tolled for the period during which the claim for such injury or death was
pending under the State workers’ compensation law.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7626B1A588E347C0BDE6BDD928C6F964">
<enum>(9)</enum>
<header>Preclusive effect</header>
<text>Any settlement by an H–2A worker and H–2A employer reached
through the mediation process required under subsection (c)(1) shall preclude
any right of action arising out of the same facts between the parties in any
Federal or State court or administrative proceeding, unless specifically
provided otherwise in the settlement agreement.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC9DFDD339CCD438DB839C35AF6019879">
<enum>(10)</enum>
<header>Settlements</header>
<text>Any settlement by the Secretary of Labor with an H–2A employer
on behalf of an H–2A worker of a complaint filed with the Secretary of Labor
under this section or any finding by the Secretary of Labor under subsection
(a)(1)(B) shall preclude any right of action arising out of the same facts
between the parties under any Federal or State court or administrative
proceeding, unless specifically provided otherwise in the settlement
agreement.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDB753E8C6200A40DAB8790A24AD5B1053">
<enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Discrimination prohibited</header>
<paragraph id="IDB12681156F1A49EBA140845C4D792B0E">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>It is a violation of this subsection for any person who has
filed an application under section 218(a), to intimidate, threaten, restrain,
coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any other manner discriminate against an
employee (which term, for purposes of this subsection, includes a former
employee and an applicant for employment) because the employee has disclosed
information to the employer, or to any other person, that the employee
reasonably believes evidences a violation of section 218 or 218A or any rule or
regulation pertaining to section 218 or 218A, or because the employee
cooperates or seeks to cooperate in an investigation or other proceeding
concerning the employer’s compliance with the requirements of section 218 or
218A or any rule or regulation pertaining to either of such sections.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0B41000D0A2446F685623A604A67E0B8">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Discrimination against h–2a workers</header>
<text>It is a violation of this subsection for any person who has
filed an application under section 218(a), to intimidate, threaten, restrain,
coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any manner discriminate against an H–2A
employee because such worker has, with just cause, filed a complaint with the
Secretary of Labor regarding a denial of the rights enumerated and enforceable
under subsection (b) or instituted, or caused to be instituted, a private right
of action under subsection (c) regarding the denial of the rights enumerated
under subsection (b), or has testified or is about to testify in any court
proceeding brought under subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID992B1A6ED57D4505AB115637849D6840">
<enum>(e)</enum>
<header>Authorization to seek other appropriate
employment</header><text>The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary shall
establish a process under which an H–2A worker who files a complaint regarding
a violation of subsection (d) and is otherwise eligible to remain and work in
the United States may be allowed to seek other appropriate employment in the
United States for a period not to exceed the maximum period of stay authorized
for such nonimmigrant classification.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID74EF4FB7B81E4716A3A88AF62A38F52A">
<enum>(f)</enum>
<header>Role of associations</header>
<paragraph id="ID4B9F10A0303546DBACA6E72727866C19">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Violation by a member of an association</header>
<text>An employer on whose behalf an application is filed by an
association acting as its agent is fully responsible for such application, and
for complying with the terms and conditions of sections 218 and 218A, as though
the employer had filed the application itself. If such an employer is
determined, under this section, to have committed a violation, the penalty for
such violation shall apply only to that member of the association unless the
Secretary of Labor determines that the association or other member participated
in, had knowledge, or reason to know, of the violation, in which case the
penalty shall be invoked against the association or other association member as
well.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDAF47B9532E3646DFB4EF4DEE34CC8BCE">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Violations by an association acting as an employer</header>
<text>If an association filing an application as a sole or joint
employer is determined to have committed a violation under this section, the
penalty for such violation shall apply only to the association unless the
Secretary of Labor determines that an association member or members
participated in or had knowledge, or reason to know of the violation, in which
case the penalty shall be invoked against the association member or members as
well.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDBFC08EE37C114D7BA82C199AE8B7893A">
<enum>218D.</enum>
<header>Definitions</header><text>For purposes of sections 218 through 218C:</text>
<paragraph id="ID47F10A3F609E4FDA92BC8A783E36AD0A">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>Agricultural employment</header>
<text>The term <term>agricultural employment</term> means any service
or activity that is considered to be agricultural under section 3(f) of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)) or agricultural labor under
section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3121(g)). For
purposes of this paragraph, agricultural employment includes employment under
section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC6485154F2524228B29467BBDB7EF95A">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Bona fide union</header>
<text>The term <term>bona fide union</term> means any organization in
which employees participate and which exists for the purpose of dealing with
employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of
employment, or other terms and conditions of work for agricultural employees.
Such term does not include an organization formed, created, administered,
supported, dominated, financed, or controlled by an employer or employer
association or its agents or representatives.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8B4FDA1C1FF14D07BA54B25631C14DD9">
<enum>(3)</enum>
<header>Displace</header>
<text>The term <term>displace</term>, in the case of an application
with respect to 1 or more H–2A workers by an employer, means laying off a
United States worker from a job for which the H–2A worker or workers is or are
sought.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEF313E160A5041B98EC72BF2BF9AB6E8">
<enum>(4)</enum>
<header>Eligible</header>
<text>The term <term>eligible</term>, when used with respect to an
individual, means an individual who is not an unauthorized alien (as defined in
section 274A(h)(3)).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA23A2089EFD448C0B0B3A41EA3B87E95">
<enum>(5)</enum>
<header>Employer</header>
<text>The term <term>employer</term> means any person or entity,
including any farm labor contractor and any agricultural association, that
employs workers in agricultural employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB3EBFA46AD8748F1A11FB343C307C8AA">
<enum>(6)</enum>
<header>H-2a employer</header><text>The term <term>H–2A
employer</term> means an employer who seeks to hire 1 or more nonimmigrant
aliens described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID55BE9CAADF1643ABA106E1B70824F990">
<enum>(7)</enum>
<header>H-2a worker</header><text>The term <term>H–2A worker</term>
means a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF018A0AA8C6A4A139A2F473978F80493">
<enum>(8)</enum>
<header>Job opportunity</header>
<text>The term <term>job opportunity</term> means a job opening for
temporary full-time employment at a place in the United States to which United
States workers can be referred.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2956846AF046420FB6050DF572567DE4">
<enum>(9)</enum>
<header>Lays off</header>
<subparagraph id="ID874FC98840D74203AA3FB52C0FDA4E79">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>The term <term>lays off</term>, with respect to a
worker—</text>
<clause id="IDFD1B1C99F37A484AB06763137DA2B217">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text>means to cause the worker’s loss of employment, other than
through a discharge for inadequate performance, violation of workplace rules,
cause, voluntary departure, voluntary retirement, contract impossibility (as
described in section 218A(b)(4)(D)), or temporary layoffs due to weather,
markets, or other temporary conditions; but</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3B39F6F56E6F41BF97A8F546275592AA">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text>does not include any situation in which the worker is offered,
as an alternative to such loss of employment, a similar employment opportunity
with the same employer (or, in the case of a placement of a worker with another
employer under section 218(b)(2)(E), with either employer described in such
section) at equivalent or higher compensation and benefits than the position
from which the employee was discharged, regardless of whether or not the
employee accepts the offer.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID20B1A6C56F58428BB7D17646D29DD4F2">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Statutory construction</header>
<text>Nothing in this paragraph is intended to limit an employee’s
rights under a collective bargaining agreement or other employment
contract.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID3500A90F28E8449F8D4D5B0967883D21">
<enum>(10)</enum>
<header>Regulatory drought</header>
<text>The term <term>regulatory drought</term> means a decision
subsequent to the filing of the application under section 218 by an entity not
under the control of the employer making such filing which restricts the
employer’s access to water for irrigation purposes and reduces or limits the
employer’s ability to produce an agricultural commodity, thereby reducing the
need for labor.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE537BA12F8C647508B3DFF471D377A41">
<enum>(11)</enum>
<header>Seasonal</header>
<text>Labor is performed on a <quote>seasonal</quote> basis
if—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDE44CAB20153A4EF2BA17ADAEA423B50F">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<text>ordinarily, it pertains to or is of the kind exclusively
performed at certain seasons or periods of the year; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID199575278870464FB107ABC22353438E">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<text>from its nature, it may not be continuous or carried on
throughout the year.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDCE9A73123FF240D5847714B27B1B2FB3">
<enum>(12)</enum>
<header>Secretary</header>
<text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Homeland
Security.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBD3E8E894D19420997C245A2B48D133A">
<enum>(13)</enum>
<header>Temporary</header>
<text>A worker is employed on a <quote>temporary</quote> basis where
the employment is intended not to exceed 10 months.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDCA39E955AC3C4B63B6797EA5654B2D88">
<enum>(14)</enum>
<header>United States worker</header>
<text>The term <term>United States worker</term> means any worker,
whether a United States citizen or national, a lawfully admitted permanent
resident alien, or any other alien, who is authorized to work in the job
opportunity within the United States, except an alien admitted or otherwise
provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).</text>
</paragraph></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID59ADCCF81A484DFFBE3A92D2429917E0">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Table of contents</header>
<text>The table of contents of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (8 U.S.C. 1101
et seq.) is amended by striking the item relating to section 218 and inserting
the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="ID1EDA49D9822C4695B712456C494E8C41" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218. H–2A employer
applications.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218A. H–2A employment
requirements.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218B. Procedure for admission and
extension of stay of H–2A workers.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218C. Worker protections and labor
standards enforcement.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 218D.
Definitions.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section>
<enum>III</enum>
<header>Miscellaneous provisions</header>
<section id="IDABE1F3871ABD474DAAE49643DAA789A2">
<enum>301.</enum>
<header>Determination and use of user fees</header>
<subsection id="ID55A0C4D57AEA40F0AACB925FB0DABAF5">
<enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Schedule of fees</header>
<text>The Secretary shall establish and periodically adjust a schedule
of fees for the employment of aliens under this Act, and a collection process
for such fees from employers participating in the program provided under this
Act. Such fees shall be the only fees chargeable to employers for services
provided under this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID14BDA8F0F5A548DEAEAF312F1567F952">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Determination of schedule</header>
<paragraph id="ID4C27852423B14429954343DB54DA8EA3">
<enum>(1)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>The schedule under subsection (a) shall reflect a fee rate based
on the number of job opportunities indicated in the employer’s application
under section 218 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and
Nationality Act</act-name>, as added by section 201 of this Act, and sufficient
to provide for the direct costs of providing services related to an employer’s
authorization to employ eligible aliens pursuant to this Act, to include the
certification of eligible employers, the issuance of documentation, and the
admission of eligible aliens.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2D259213B19F4780ADBB003E3DFCDA64">
<enum>(2)</enum>
<header>Procedure</header>
<subparagraph id="IDEDF2DF051D284908956D621BBB81F795">
<enum>(A)</enum>
<header>In general</header>
<text>In establishing and adjusting such a schedule, the Secretary
shall comply with Federal cost accounting and fee setting standards.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID150F73A7E3614B95A307AF45E00A5836">
<enum>(B)</enum>
<header>Publication and comment</header>
<text>The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register an initial
fee schedule and associated collection process and the cost data or estimates
upon which such fee schedule is based, and any subsequent amendments thereto,
pursuant to which public comment shall be sought and a final rule
issued.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDA30D9BBE4F984017B4F1AFC4157E66CD">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Use of proceeds</header>
<text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all proceeds
resulting from the payment of the alien employment user fees shall be available
without further appropriation and shall remain available without fiscal year
limitation to reimburse the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the
Secretary of Labor for the costs of carrying out sections 218 and 218B of the
<act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name>, as
added by section 201 of this Act, and the provisions of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDB614B78F5E124D46B3D3107E66B8E5E6">
<enum>302.</enum>
<header>Regulations</header>
<subsection id="ID65CF9A55A62742ACA98785BF00FDD636">
<enum>(a)</enum>
<header>Regulations of the Secretary</header>
<text>The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Labor and the
Secretary of Agriculture on all regulations to implement the duties of the
Secretary under this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8A94B09BFB6D498A936BE3469FD3FF5B">
<enum>(b)</enum>
<header>Regulations of the Secretary of State</header>
<text>The Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary, the
Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Agriculture on all regulations to
implement the duties of the Secretary of State under this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID46ADF561020E4D89A410A11401A056EC">
<enum>(c)</enum>
<header>Regulations of the Secretary of Labor</header>
<text>The Secretary of Labor shall consult with the Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary on all regulations to implement the duties of the
Secretary of Labor under this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID751DA80CF490493F856578D5FEAB49FB">
<enum>(d)</enum>
<header>Deadline for issuance of regulations</header>
<text>All regulations to implement the duties of the Secretary, the
Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Labor created under sections 218,
218A, 218B, and 218C of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and
Nationality Act</act-name>, as added by section 201, shall take effect on the
effective date of section 201 and shall be issued not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID8D53B88EFE554C12A2D2E8F2E935AB72">
<enum>303.</enum>
<header>Effective date</header>
<subsection id="id63251AEDFA1949D696A4EC503AC2CBCE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as otherwise provided, sections 201 and 301 shall
take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id9D00CEE461F74631872A3B3C52D9911A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
that describes the measures being taken and the progress made in implementing
this Act.</text>
</subsection></section>