Admission of temporary agricultural workers

(a)

Definition

Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) is amended by striking , of a temporary or seasonal nature. (b)

Procedure for admission

(1)

In general

Section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188) is amended to read as follows:

218.

Admission of temporary H–2A workers

(a)

Definitions

In this section and in section 218A: (1)

Adverse effect wage rate

The term adverse effect wage rate means 115 percent of the greater of— (A)the State minimum wage; or (B)the hourly wage prescribed under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)). (2)

Area of employment

The term area of employment means the area within normal commuting distance of the work site or physical location at which the work of the H–2A worker is or will be performed. If such work site or location is within a Metropolitan Statistical Area, any place within such area shall be considered to be within the area of employment. (3)

Displace

In the case of a petition with respect to an H–2A worker filed by an employer, an employer displaces a United States worker from a job if the employer lays off the worker from a job that is essentially equivalent to the job for which the H–2A worker is sought. A job shall be considered essentially equivalent to another job if the job— (A)involves essentially the same responsibilities as the other job; (B)was held by a United States worker with substantially equivalent qualifications and experience; and (C)is located in the same area of employment as the other job. (4)

Eligible individual

The term eligible individual means an alien who is not ineligible for an H–2A visa pursuant to subsection (l). (5)

Employer

The term employer means an employer who hires workers to perform— (A)animal agriculture or agricultural processing; (B)agricultural work included within the provisions of section 3(f) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)) or section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (C)drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing, or grading prior to delivery for storage of any agricultural or horticultural commodity in its unmanufactured state; or (D)dairy or feedyard work. (6)

H–2A worker

The term H–2A worker means a nonimmigrant who— (A)continuously maintains a residence and place of abode outside of the United States which the alien has no intention of abandoning; and (B)(i)is seeking to work for an employer performing agricultural labor in the United States for not more than 10 months during each calendar year in a job for which United States workers are not available and willing to perform such service or labor; or (ii)(I)is seeking to work for an employer performing agricultural labor in the United States in a job for which United States workers are not available and willing to perform such service or labor; (II)commutes each business day across the United States international border to work for a qualified United States employer; and (III)returns across the United States international border to his or her foreign residence and place of abode at the end of each business day. (7)

Lay off

(A)

In general

The term lay off— (i)means to cause a worker’s loss of employment, other than through a discharge for inadequate performance, violation of workplace rules, cause, voluntary departure, voluntary retirement, or the expiration of a grant or contract (other than a temporary employment contract entered into in order to evade a condition described in paragraph (3) or (7) of subsection (b)); and (ii)does not include any situation in which the worker is offered, as an alternative to such loss of employment, a similar employment opportunity with the same employer (or, in the case of a placement of a worker with another employer under subsection (h), with either employer described in such subsection) at equivalent or higher compensation and benefits than the position from which the employee was discharged, regardless of whether or not the employee accepts the offer. (B)

Construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to limit an employee’s rights under a collective bargaining agreement or other employment contract. (8)

Level 2 H–2A worker

(A)

In general

The term Level 2 H–2A worker means an H–2A worker who— (i)has been employed as an H–2A worker for a cumulative total of at least 30 months; (ii)has not violated a material term or condition of employment as an H–2A worker; and (iii)works in a supervisory capacity. (B)

Limitation

An agricultural employer may employ not more than 1 Level 2 H–2A worker for every 25 H–2A workers. (9)

United States worker

The term United States worker means any worker who is a national of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien authorized to work in the relevant job opportunity within the United States, except an alien admitted or otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a). (b)

Labor attestation process

The Secretary of Labor shall utilize the labor attestation process described in this subsection until the Secretary of Labor certifies that, based on State workforce agency data, there is an adequate domestic workforce in the United States to fill agricultural jobs in the State in which the agricultural employer is seeking H–2A workers. Once the Secretary of Labor certifies that there are adequate authorized workers in a State to fill agricultural jobs (excluding H–2A workers), the Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall issue regulations describing a labor certification process for agricultural employers seeking H–2A workers. An alien may not be admitted as an H–2A worker unless the employer has filed a petition with the Secretary of Labor in which the employer attests to the following: (1)

Temporary work or services

(A)

In general

The employer is seeking to employ a specific number of agricultural workers on a temporary basis and will provide compensation to such workers at a specified wage rate and under specified conditions. (B)

Skilled workers

If the worker is a Level 2 H–2A worker, the employer will recruit the worker separately and the petition will delineate separate wage rate and conditions of employment for such worker. (C)

Defined term

In this paragraph and in subsection (h)(6)(B), a worker is considered to be employed on a temporary basis if the employer employs the worker for not longer than 10 months in a calendar year. (2)

Benefits, wages, and working conditions

The employer will provide, at a minimum, the benefits, wages, and working conditions required under subsection (k) to— (A)all workers employed in the jobs for which the H–2A worker is sought; and (B)all other temporary workers in the same occupation at the same place of employment. (3)

Nondisplacement of United States workers

The employer did not and will not displace a United States worker employed by the employer during the period of employment of the H–2A worker and during the 30-day period immediately preceding such period of employment in the occupation at the place of employment for which the employer seeks approval to employ H–2A workers. (4)

Recruitment

(A)

In general

The employer will— (i)describe previous recruitment efforts made before the filing of the petition; and (ii)complete adequate recruitment requirements before H–2A workers are issued a visa at an American consulate. (B)

Adequate recruitment

The adequate recruitment requirements under subparagraph (A)(ii) are satisfied if the employer— (i)submits a copy of the job offer to the local office of the State workforce agency serving the area of intended employment and authorizes the posting of the job opportunity on the Department of Labor’s electronic job registry for all other occupations in the same manner as other United States employers, except that nothing in this clause shall require the employer to file an interstate job order under section 653 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations; (ii)advertises the availability of the job opportunities for which the employer is seeking workers in a publication in the local market that is likely to be patronized by potential farm workers; and (iii)mails a letter through the United States Postal Service or otherwise contacts any United States worker the employer employed within the past year in the occupation at the place of intended employment for which the employer is seeking H–2A workers that describes available job opportunities, 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. (C)

Advertisement requirement

The advertisement requirement under subparagraph (B)(ii) is satisfied if the employer runs an advertisement for 2 consecutive days that— (i)names the employer; (ii)describes the job or jobs; (iii)provides instructions on how to contact the employer to apply for the job; (iv)states the duration of employment; (v)describes the geographic area with enough specificity to apprise applicants of any travel requirements and where applicants will likely have to reside to perform the job; (vi)states the rate of pay; and (vii)describes working conditions and the availability of housing or the amount of housing allowances. (D)

End of recruitment requirement

The requirement to recruit and hire United States workers for the contract period for which H–2A workers have been hired shall terminate on the first day of such contract period. (5)

Offers to United States workers

The employer has offered or will offer the job for which the nonimmigrant is sought to any eligible United States worker who— (A)applies; (B)will be available at the time and place of need; and (C)is able and willing to complete the period of employment. (6)

Provision of insurance

If the job for which the H–2A worker is sought is not covered by State workers’ compensation law, the employer will provide, at no cost to the worker, insurance covering injury and disease arising out of, and in the course of, the worker’s employment, which will provide benefits at least equal to those provided under the State workers’ compensation law for comparable employment. No employer shall be liable for the provision of health insurance for any H–2A worker. (7)

Strike or lockout

There is not a strike or lockout in the course of a labor dispute which, under regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor, precludes the hiring of H–2A workers. (8)

Previous violations

The employer has not, during the previous 5-year period, employed H–2A workers and knowingly violated a material term or condition of approval with respect to the employment of domestic or nonimmigrant workers, as determined by the Secretary of Labor after notice and opportunity for a hearing. (c)

Public examination

Not later than 1 working day after the date on which a petition is filed under this section, the employer shall make a copy of each such petition (and any necessary accompanying documents) available for public examination, at the employer’s work site or principal place of business. (d)

List

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Labor shall maintain a list of the petitions filed under subsection (b), sorted by employer, which shall include— (A)the number of H–2A workers sought; (B)the wage rate; (C)the date work is scheduled to begin; and (D)the period of intended employment. (2)

Availability

The Secretary of Labor shall make the list described in paragraph (1) available for public examination. (e)

Petitioning for admission

(1)

In general

An employer, or an association acting as an agent or joint employer for its members, that seeks the admission into the United States of an H–2A worker shall file a petition that includes the attestations described in subsection (b) with the Secretary of Labor. (2)

Consideration of petitions

For each petition filed under this subsection— (A)the Secretary of Labor may not require such petition to be filed more than 60 days before the first date on which the employer requires the labor or services of the H–2A worker; and (B)unless the Secretary of Labor determines that the petition is incomplete or obviously inaccurate, or the Secretary has probable cause to suspect the petition was fraudulently made, the Secretary shall either approve or deny the petition not later than 15 days after the date on which such petition was filed. (3)

Petition agreements

By filing an H–2A petition, a petitioner and each employer consents to allow the Department of Labor access to the site where labor is being performed for the purpose of determining compliance with H–2A requirements. (4)

Multistate employers

Employers with multiple operations may use H–2A workers in the occupations for which they are sought in all places in which the employer has operations if the employer— (A)designates on the petition each location at which such workers will be used; and (B)performs adequate recruitment efforts in each State in which such workers will be used. (f)

Roles of agricultural associations

(1)

Permitting filing by agricultural associations

A petition to hire an H–2A worker may be filed by an association of agricultural employers which use agricultural labor. (2)

Treatment of associations acting as employers

If an association is a joint or sole employer of H–2A workers, such H–2A workers may be transferred among its members to perform agricultural labor of the same nature for which the petition was approved. (3)

Treatment of violations

(A)

Individual member

If an individual member of a joint employer association violates any condition for approval with respect to the member’s petition, the Secretary of Labor shall deny such petition only with respect to that member of the association unless the Secretary of Labor determines that the association or other member participated in, had knowledge of, or had reason to know of the violation. (B)

Association of agricultural employers

(i)

Joint employer

If an association representing agricultural employers as a joint employer violates any condition for approval with respect to the association’s petition, the Secretary of Labor shall deny such petition only with respect to the association and may not apply the denial to any individual member of the association, unless the Secretary of Labor determines that the member participated in, had knowledge of, or had reason to know of the violation. (ii)

Sole employer

If an association of agricultural employers approved as a sole employer violates any condition for approval with respect to the association’s petition, no individual member of the association may be the beneficiary of the services of H–2A workers admitted under this section in the occupation in which such H–2A workers were employed by the association which was denied approval during the period such denial is in force. (g)

Expedited administrative appeals

The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall issue regulations to provide for an expedited procedure— (1)for the review of a denial of a petition under this section by any of the Secretaries; or (2)at the applicant’s request, for a de novo administrative hearing of the denial. (h)

Miscellaneous provisions

(1)

Requirements for placement of H–2A workers with other employers

An H–2A worker may be transferred to another employer that has had a petition approved under this section. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall issue regulations to establish a process for the approval and reissuance of visas for transferred H–2A workers. (2)

Endorsement of documents

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for the endorsement of entry and exit documents of H–2A workers to carry out this section and to provide notice under section 274A. (3)

Preemption of state laws

This section and subsections (a) and (c) of section 214 preempt any State or local law regulating admissibility of nonimmigrant workers. (4)

Fees

The Secretary of Labor may charge a reasonable fee to recover the costs of processing petitions under this section. In determining the amount of the fee to be charged under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider whether the employer is a single employer or an association and the number of H–2A workers intended to be employed. (5)

E-Verify participation by employers

The Secretary shall require employers participating in the H–2A program to register with and participate in E–Verify, as established under title IV of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (division C of Public Law 104–208). (i)

Failure To meet conditions

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Labor shall conduct investigations and random audits of employer work sites to ensure employer compliance with the requirements under this section. All monetary fines assessed under this section shall be paid by the violating employer to the Department of Labor and used by the Secretary to conduct audits, investigations, and housing inspections. (2)

Penalties for failure to meet conditions

If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a failure to meet a material condition under subsection (b), or a material misrepresentation of fact in a petition filed under subsection (b), the Secretary of Labor— (A)shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of such finding; (B)may impose such other administrative remedies, including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation, as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and (C)may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 1 year. (3)

Penalties for willful failure

If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a willful failure to meet a material condition under subsection (b) or a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in a petition filed under subsection (b), the Secretary of Labor— (A)shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of such finding; (B)may impose such other administrative remedies, including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per violation, as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; (C)may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 2 years; (D)for a second violation, may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 5 years; and (E)for a third violation, may permanently disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers. (4)

Penalties for displacement of United States workers

If the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a willful failure to meet a material condition of subsection (b) or a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in a petition filed under subsection (b), and the employer displaced a United States worker employed by the employer during the period of employment on the employer’s petition, or during the 30-day period preceding such period of employment, the Secretary of Labor— (A)shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of such finding; (B)may impose such other administrative remedies, including civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $15,000 per violation, as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; (C)may disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers for a period of 5 years; and (D)for a second violation, may permanently disqualify the employer from the employment of H–2A workers. (5)

Limitations on civil money penalties

The Secretary of Labor may not impose total civil money penalties with respect to a petition filed under subsection (b) in excess of $100,000. (j)

Failure To pay wages or required benefits

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Labor shall conduct investigations and random audits of employer work sites to ensure employer compliance with the requirements under this section. (2)

Assessment

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 requirement, or guarantee of employment attested in the petition filed by the employer under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary of Labor shall assess payment of back wages, or other required benefits, due any United States worker or H–2A worker employed by the employer in the specific employment in question. (3)

Amount

The back wages or other required benefits described in paragraph (2)— (A)shall be equal to the difference between the amount that should have been paid and the amount that was paid to such worker; and (B)shall be distributed to the worker to whom such wages are due. (k)

Minimum wages, benefits, and working conditions

(1)

Preferential treatment of aliens prohibited

(A)

In general

Each employer seeking to hire United States workers shall offer such workers not less than the same benefits, wages, and working conditions that the employer is offering, intends to offer, or will provide to H–2A workers in the same occupation. No job offer may impose any restriction or obligation on United States workers which will not be imposed on the employer’s H–2A workers. The benefits, wages, and other terms and conditions of employment described in this subsection shall be provided in connection with employment under this section. (B)

Interpretation

Every interpretation and determination made under this section or under any other law, regulation, or interpretative provision regarding the nature, scope, and timing of the provision of these and any other benefits, wages, and other terms and conditions of employment shall be made so that— (i)the services of workers to their employers and the employment opportunities afforded to workers by the employers, including those employment opportunities that require United States workers or H–2A workers to travel or relocated in order to accept or perform employment— (I)mutually benefit such workers, as well as their families, and employers; (II)principally benefit neither employer nor employee; and (III)employment opportunities within the United States benefit the United States economy. (2)

Required wages

(A)

In general

Each employer applying for workers under subsection (b) shall pay not less (and is not required to pay more) than the greater of— (i)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; (ii)the adverse effect wage rate. (B)

Wages for level 2 H–2A workers

(i)

In general

Each employer applying for Level 2 H–2A workers under subsection (b) shall pay such workers not less than 140 percent of the adverse effect wage rate for H–2A workers, excluding piece-rate wages. (ii)

Wage rate data

The Secretary of Agriculture shall expand and disaggregate the source of wage rate data used in the survey conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service to include— (I)first line farming supervisors/managers (code 45–1011); (II)graders and sorters of agricultural products (code 45–2041); (III)agricultural equipment operators (code 45–2091); (IV)crop and nursery farmworkers and laborers (code 45–2092); (V)ranch and farm animal farmworkers (code 45–2093); and (VI)all other agricultural workers (code 45–2099). (iii)

Study and report

(I)

Study

After the Secretary of Agriculture collects wage rate data for 2 years using the method described in clause (ii), the Secretary of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall conduct a study to determine if— (aa)the wages accurately reflect prevailing wages for similar occupations in the area of employment; and (bb)it is necessary to establish a new wage methodology to prevent the depression of United States farmworker wages. (II)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of the HARVEST Act of 2010, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit a final report reflecting the findings of the study conducted under subclause (I) to— (aa)the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (bb)the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; (cc)the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and (dd)the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. (3)

Housing requirement

(A)

In general

Except as provided under subparagraph (F), each employer applying for workers under subsection (b) shall offer to provide housing at no cost to— (i)all workers in job opportunities for which the employer has applied under subsection (b); and (ii)all other workers in the same occupation at the same place of employment whose place of residence is beyond normal commuting distance. (B)

Compliance

An employer meets the requirement under subparagraph (A) if the employer— (i)provides the workers with housing that meets applicable Federal standards for temporary labor camps; or (ii)secures housing for the workers that— (I)meets applicable local standards for rental or public accommodation housing, or other substantially similar class of habitation; or (II)in the absence of applicable local standards, meets State standards for rental or public accommodation housing or other substantially similar class of habitation. (C)

Inspection

(i)

Request

At the time an employer that plans to provide housing described in subparagraph (B) to H–2A workers files a petition for H–2A workers with the Secretary of Labor, the employer shall request a certificate of inspection by an approved Federal or State agency. (ii)

Inspection; follow up

Not later than 28 days after the receipt of a request under clause (i), the Secretary of Labor shall ensure that— (I)such an inspection has been conducted; and (II)any necessary follow up has been scheduled to ensure compliance with the requirements under this paragraph. (iii)

Delay prohibited

The Secretary of Labor may not delay the approval of a petition for failing to comply with the deadlines set forth in clause (iii). (D)

Rulemaking

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. (E)

Housing allowance

(i)

Authority

If the Governor of a State certifies to the Secretary of Labor that there is adequate housing available in the area of intended employment for migrant farm workers and H–2A workers who are seeking temporary housing while employed in agricultural work, an employer in such State may provide a reasonable housing allowance instead of offering housing pursuant to subparagraph (A). An employer who provides a housing allowance to a worker shall not be required to reserve housing accommodations for the worker. (ii)

Assistance in locating housing

Upon the request of a worker seeking assistance in locating housing, an employer providing a housing allowance under clause (i) shall make a good faith effort to assist the worker in identifying and locating housing in the area of intended employment. (iii)

Limitation

A housing allowance may not be used for housing that is owned or controlled by the employer. An employer who offers a housing allowance to a worker, or assists a worker in locating housing which the worker occupies under this subparagraph shall not be deemed a housing provider under section 203 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protect Act (29 U.S.C. 1823) solely by virtue of providing such housing allowance. (iv)

Other requirements

(I)

Nonmetropolitan county

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 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an assumption of 2 persons per bedroom. (II)

Metropolitan county

If the place of employment of the workers provided an allowance under this subparagraph is in a metropolitan county, the amount of the housing allowance under this subparagraph shall be equal to the statewide average fair market rental for existing housing for metropolitan counties for the State, as established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to section 8(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an assumption of 2 persons per bedroom. (v)

Information

If the employer provides a housing allowance to H–2A employees, the employer shall provide a list of the names and local addresses of such workers to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor once per contract period. (4)

Reimbursement of transportation costs

(A)

Requirement for reimbursement

A worker who completes 50 percent of the period of employment of the job for which the worker was hired shall be reimbursed by the employer, beginning on the first day of such employment, for the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence from— (i)the place from which the worker was approved to enter the United States to the location at which the work for the employer is performed; or (ii)if the worker traveled from a place in the United States at which the worker was last employed, from such place of last employment to the location at which the work for the employer is being performed. (B)

Timing of reimbursement

Reimbursement to the worker of expenses for the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence to the place of employment under subparagraph (A) shall be considered timely if such reimbursement is made not later than the worker’s first regular payday after a worker completes 50 percent of the period of employment of the job opportunity as provided under this paragraph. (C)

Additional reimbursement

A worker who completes the period of employment for the job opportunity involved shall be reimbursed by the employer for the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence from the work site to the place where the worker was approved to enter the United States to work for the employer. If the worker has contracted with a subsequent employer, the previous and subsequent employer shall share the cost of the worker’s transportation and subsistence from work site to work site. (D)

Amount of reimbursement

The amount of reimbursement provided to a worker under this paragraph shall be equal to the lesser of— (i)the actual cost to the worker of the transportation and subsistence involved; or (ii)the most economical and reasonable common carrier transportation and subsistence costs for the distance involved. (E)

Reimbursement for laid off workers

If the worker is laid off or employment is terminated for contract impossibility (as described in paragraph (5)(D)) before the anticipated ending date of employment, the employer shall provide— (i)the transportation and subsistence required under subparagraph (C); and (ii)notwithstanding whether the worker has completed 50 percent of the period of employment, the transportation reimbursement required under subparagraph (A). (F)

Transportation

The employer shall provide transportation between the worker’s living quarters and the employer’s work site without cost to the worker in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. (G)

Construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to require an employer to reimburse visa, passport, consular, or international border-crossing fees incurred by the worker or any other fees associated with the worker’s lawful admission into the United States to perform employment. (5)

Employment guarantee

(A)

In general

(i)

Requirement

Each employer applying for workers under subsection (b) shall guarantee to offer each such worker employment for the hourly equivalent of not less than 75 percent of the work hours during the total anticipated period of employment beginning with the first work day after the arrival of the worker at the place of employment and ending on the expiration date specified in the job offer. (ii)

Failure to meet guarantee

If the employer affords the United States worker or the H–2A workers less employment than that required under this subparagraph, the employer shall pay such worker the amount which the worker would have earned if the worker had worked for the guaranteed number of hours. (iii)

Period of employment

In this subparagraph, the term period of employment means the total number of anticipated work hours and work days described in the job offer and shall exclude the worker’s Sabbath and Federal holidays. (B)

Calculation of hours

Any hours which the worker fails to work, up to a maximum 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. (C)

Limitation

If the worker voluntarily abandons employment before the end of the contract period, or is terminated for cause, the worker is not entitled to the 75 percent guarantee described in subparagraph (A). (D)

Termination of employment

(i)

In general

If, before the expiration of the period of employment specified in the job offer, the services of the worker are no longer required due to any form of natural disaster, including flood, hurricane, freeze, earthquake, fire, drought, plant or animal disease, pest infestation, regulatory action, or any other reason beyond the control of the employer before the employment guarantee in subparagraph (A) is fulfilled, the employer may terminate the worker’s employment. (ii)

Requirements

If a worker’s employment is terminated under clause (i), the employer shall— (I)fulfill the employment guarantee in subparagraph (A) for the work days that have elapsed during the period beginning on the first work day after the arrival of the worker and ending on the date on which such employment is terminated; and (II)make efforts to transfer the United States worker to other comparable employment acceptable to the worker. (l)

Disqualification

(1)

Grounds of ineligibility

(A)

In general

An alien is ineligible for an H–2A visa if the alien— (i)is inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a), except as provided under paragraph (2); (ii)is subject to the execution of an outstanding administratively final order of removal, deportation, or exclusion; (iii)is described in, or is subject to, section 241(a)(5); (iv)has ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; or (v)has a felony or misdemeanor conviction, an element of which involves bodily injury, threat of serious bodily injury, or harm to property in excess of $500. (B)

Applicability to grounds of inadmissibility

Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit the applicability of any ground of inadmissibility under section 212. (2)

Grounds of inadmissibility

(A)

In general

In determining an alien’s admissibility— (i)paragraphs (5)(A), (6)(A)(i) (with respect to an alien present in the United States without being admitted or paroled), (6)(B), (6)(C), (6)(D), (6)(F), (6)(G), (7), (9)(B), and (9)(C)(i)(I) of section 212(a) shall not apply with respect to conduct occurring or arising before the date of the alien’s application for an H–2A visa if associated with obtaining employment; (ii)the Secretary of Homeland Security may not waive— (I)paragraph (1) or (2) of sections 212(a) (relating to health and safety and criminals); (II)section 212(a)(3) (relating to security and related grounds); (III)section 212(a)(9)(C)(i)(II); or (IV)subparagraph (A), (C), or (D) of section 212(a)(10) (relating to polygamists, child abductors, and unlawful voters). (B)

Construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security, other than under this paragraph, to waive the provisions of section 212(a). (3)

Bars to extension or admission

An alien may not be granted an H–2A visa if— (A)the alien has violated any material term or condition of such status granted previously, unless the alien has had such violation waived under paragraph (2)(A); (B)the alien is inadmissible as a nonimmigrant, except for those grounds previously waived under paragraph (2)(A); or (C)the granting of such status would allow the alien to exceed limitations on stay in the United States in H–2A status described in subsection (m). (4)

Prompt removal proceedings

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly identify, investigate, detain, and initiate removal proceedings against every alien admitted into the United States on an H–2A visa who exceeds the alien’s period of authorized admission or otherwise violates any terms of the alien’s nonimmigrant status. In conducting such removal proceedings, the Secretary shall give priority to aliens who may pose a threat to the national security, and those convicted of criminal offenses. (5)

Numerical limitations on waivers

The Secretary may waive any ground of inadmissibility, as authorized under this section, only once for each beneficiary of a petition for an H–2A visa filed by an employer after the date of the enactment of the HARVEST Act of 2010. Such waiver authority for the Secretary shall expire 24 months after such date of enactment. (6)

Fine

Each alien applying for an H–2A visa under this section who would be inadmissible under section 212(a)(6), if such provision had not been made inapplicable under subsection (l)(2)(A)(i), shall be required to pay a fine in an amount equal to $500 before being granted such visa. (m)

Period of admission

(1)

In general

An H–2A worker approved to enter the United States may not remain in the United States for more than 10 months during any 12-month period, excluding— (A)a period of not more than 7 days before the beginning of the period of employment for the purpose of travel to the work site; and (B)a period of not more than 14 days after the period of employment for the purpose of departure or extension based on a subsequent offer of employment. (2)

Employment limitation

An H–2A worker may not be employed during the 14-day period described in paragraph (1)(B) except in the employment for which the alien was previously authorized. (3)

Construction

Nothing in this subsection shall limit the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to extend the stay of an alien under any other provision of this Act. (n)

Abandonment of employment

(1)

In general

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— (A)has failed to maintain nonimmigrant status as an H–2A worker; and (B)shall depart the United States or be subject to removal under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i). (2)

Report by employer

Not later than 36 hours after the premature abandonment of employment by an H–2A worker, the employer or association acting as an agent for the employer shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of such abandonment. (3)

Removal

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure the prompt removal from the United States of any H–2A worker who violates any term or condition of the worker’s nonimmigrant status. (4)

Voluntary termination

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an alien may voluntarily terminate the alien’s employment if the alien promptly departs the United States upon termination of such employment. (o)

Replacement of workers

(1)

In general

Upon receiving notification under subsection (n)(2) or being notified that a United States worker referred by the Department of Labor or a United States worker recruited by the employer during the recruitment period has prematurely abandoned employment or has failed to appear for employment— (A)the Secretary of State shall promptly issue a visa to an eligible alien designated by the employer to replace a worker who abandons or prematurely terminates employment; and (B)the Secretary of Homeland Security shall expeditiously admit such alien into the United States. (2)

Construction

Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit any preference for which United States workers are eligible under this Act. (p)

Identification document

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide each alien authorized to be an H–2A worker with a single machine-readable, tamper-resistant, and counterfeit-resistant document that— (A)authorizes the alien’s entry into the United States; (B)serves, for the appropriate period, as an employment eligibility document; and (C)verifies the identity of the alien through the use of at least 1 biometric identifier. (2)

Requirements

The document required for all aliens authorized to be an H–2A worker— (A)shall be capable of reliably determining whether the individual with the document— (i)is eligible for employment as an H–2A worker; (ii)is not claiming the identity of another person; and (iii)is authorized to be admitted into the United States; and (B)shall be compatible with— (i)other databases of the Department of Homeland Security to prevent an alien from obtaining benefits for which the alien is not eligible and determining whether the alien is unlawfully present in the United States; and (ii)law enforcement databases to determine if the alien has been convicted of criminal offenses.

218A.

Admission of cross-border H–2A workers

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term cross-border H–2A worker means a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) who participates in the cross-border worker program established under this section. (b)

Incorporation by reference

(1)

In general

Except as specifically provided under paragraph (2), the provisions under section 218 shall apply to cross-border H–2A workers. (2)

Exceptions

Subsections (k)(3), (k)(4), and (m) of section 218 shall not apply to cross-border H–2A workers. (c)

Mandatory entry and exit

A cross-border H–2A worker who complies with the provisions of this section— (1)may enter the United States each scheduled work day, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (2)shall exit the United States before the end of each day of such entrance. (d)

Recruitment

Each employer that employs a cross-border H–2A worker under this section shall conduct a recruitment for each position occupied by such H–2A worker that complies with the requirements under section 218(b)(4) at least once every 10 months.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by striking the item relating to section 218 and inserting the following:

Sec. 218. Admission of temporary H–2A workers.

Sec. 218A. Admission of cross-border H–2A workers.

(c)

Rulemaking

(1)

Issuance of visas

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations, in accordance with the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for uniform procedures for the issuance of H–2A visas by United States consulates and consular officials to nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)). (2)

Border crossings

The Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations to establish a process for cross-border H–2A workers authorized to work in the United States under section 218A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by subsection (b), to ensure that such workers expeditiously enter and exit the United States during each work day. (d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.