[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 51 (Thursday, March 18, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1527-H1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FARM WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2021

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 233, I call 
up the bill (H.R. 1603) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to 
provide for terms and conditions for nonimmigrant workers performing 
agricultural labor or services, and for other purposes, and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the 
amendment printed in part C of House Report 117-12 is adopted, and the 
bill, as amended, is considered read.
  The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

                               H.R. 1603

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Farm 
     Workforce Modernization Act of 2021''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

         TITLE I--SECURING THE DOMESTIC AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE

    Subtitle A--Temporary Status for Certified Agricultural Workers

Sec. 101. Certified agricultural worker status.
Sec. 102. Terms and conditions of certified status.
Sec. 103. Extensions of certified status.
Sec. 104. Determination of continuous presence.
Sec. 105. Employer obligations.
Sec. 106. Administrative and judicial review.

      Subtitle B--Optional Earned Residence for Long-Term Workers

Sec. 111. Optional adjustment of status for long-term agricultural 
              workers.
Sec. 112. Payment of taxes.
Sec. 113. Adjudication and decision; review.

                     Subtitle C--General Provisions

Sec. 121. Definitions.
Sec. 122. Rulemaking; Fees.
Sec. 123. Background checks.
Sec. 124. Protection for children.
Sec. 125. Limitation on removal.
Sec. 126. Documentation of agricultural work history.
Sec. 127. Employer protections.
Sec. 128. Correction of social security records; conforming amendments.
Sec. 129. Disclosures and privacy.
Sec. 130. Penalties for false statements in applications.
Sec. 131. Dissemination of information.
Sec. 132. Exemption from numerical limitations.
Sec. 133. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 134. Grant program to assist eligible applicants.
Sec. 135. Authorization of appropriations.

      TITLE II--ENSURING AN AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

        Subtitle A--Reforming the H-2A Temporary Worker Program

Sec. 201. Comprehensive and streamlined electronic H-2A platform.
Sec. 202. H-2A program requirements.
Sec. 203. Agency roles and responsibilities.
Sec. 204. Worker protection and compliance.
Sec. 205. Report on wage protections.
Sec. 206. Portable H-2A visa pilot program.
Sec. 207. Improving access to permanent residence.

    Subtitle B--Preservation and Construction of Farmworker Housing

Sec. 220. Short title.
Sec. 221. Permanent establishment of housing preservation and 
              revitalization program.
Sec. 222. Eligibility for rural housing vouchers.
Sec. 223. Amount of voucher assistance.
Sec. 224. Rental assistance contract authority.
Sec. 225. Funding for multifamily technical improvements.
Sec. 226. Plan for preserving affordability of rental projects.
Sec. 227. Covered housing programs.
Sec. 228. New farmworker housing.
Sec. 229. Loan and grant limitations.
Sec. 230. Operating assistance subsidies.
Sec. 231. Eligibility of certified workers.

           Subtitle C--Foreign Labor Recruiter Accountability

Sec. 251. Registration of foreign labor recruiters.
Sec. 252. Enforcement.
Sec. 253. Appropriations.
Sec. 254. Definitions.

      TITLE III--ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

Sec. 301. Electronic employment eligibility verification system.
Sec. 302. Mandatory electronic verification for the agricultural 
              industry.
Sec. 303. Coordination with E-Verify Program.
Sec. 304. Fraud and misuse of documents.
Sec. 305. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 306. Protection of Social Security Administration programs.
Sec. 307. Report on the implementation of the electronic employment 
              verification system.
Sec. 308. Modernizing and streamlining the employment eligibility 
              verification process.
Sec. 309. Rulemaking and Paperwork Reduction Act.

         TITLE I--SECURING THE DOMESTIC AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE

    Subtitle A--Temporary Status for Certified Agricultural Workers

     SEC. 101. CERTIFIED AGRICULTURAL WORKER STATUS.

       (a) Requirements for Certified Agricultural Worker 
     Status.--
       (1) Principal aliens.--The Secretary may grant certified 
     agricultural worker status to an alien who submits a 
     completed application, including the required processing 
     fees, before the end of the period set forth in subsection 
     (c) and who--
       (A) performed agricultural labor or services in the United 
     States for at least 1,035 hours (or 180 work days) during the 
     2-year period preceding the date of the introduction of this 
     Act;
       (B) on the date of the introduction of this Act--
       (i) is inadmissible or deportable from the United States; 
     or
       (ii) is under a grant of deferred enforced departure or has 
     temporary protected status under section 244 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act;
       (C) subject to section 104, has been continuously present 
     in the United States since the date of the introduction of 
     this Act and until the date on which the alien is granted 
     certified agricultural worker status; and
       (D) is not otherwise ineligible for certified agricultural 
     worker status as provided in subsection (b).
       (2) Dependent spouse and children.--The Secretary may grant 
     certified agricultural dependent status to the spouse or 
     child of an alien granted certified agricultural worker 
     status under paragraph (1) if the spouse or child is not 
     ineligible for certified agricultural dependent status as 
     provided in subsection (b).
       (b) Grounds for Ineligibility.--
       (1) Grounds of inadmissibility.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (3), an alien is ineligible for certified 
     agricultural worker or certified agricultural dependent 
     status if the Secretary determines that the alien is 
     inadmissible under section 212(a) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)), except that in 
     determining inadmissibility--
       (A) paragraphs (4), (5), (7), and (9)(B) of such section 
     shall not apply;
       (B) subparagraphs (A), (C), (D), (F), and (G) of such 
     section 212(a)(6) and paragraphs (9)(C) and (10)(B) of such 
     section 212(a) shall not apply unless based on the act of 
     unlawfully entering the United States after the date of 
     introduction of this Act; and
       (C) paragraphs (6)(B) and (9)(A) of such section 212(a) 
     shall not apply unless the relevant conduct began on or after 
     the date of filing of the application for certified 
     agricultural worker status.
       (2) Additional criminal bars.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (3), an alien is ineligible for certified 
     agricultural worker or certified agricultural dependent 
     status if the Secretary determines that, excluding any 
     offense under State law for which an essential element is the 
     alien's immigration status and any minor traffic offense, the 
     alien has been convicted of--
       (A) any felony offense;
       (B) an aggravated felony (as defined in section 101(a)(43) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)) 
     at the time of the conviction);
       (C) two misdemeanor offenses involving moral turpitude, as 
     described in section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)), unless an 
     offense is waived by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(B); or
       (D) three or more misdemeanor offenses not occurring on the 
     same date, and not arising out of the same act, omission, or 
     scheme of misconduct.
       (3) Waivers for certain grounds of inadmissibility.--For 
     humanitarian purposes, family unity, or if otherwise in the 
     public interest, the Secretary may waive the grounds of 
     inadmissibility under--
       (A) paragraph (1), (6)(E), or (10)(D) of section 212(a) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)); or
       (B) subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 212(a)(2) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)), unless 
     inadmissibility is based on a conviction that would otherwise 
     render the alien ineligible under subparagraph (A), (B), or 
     (D) of paragraph (2).
       (c) Application.--
       (1) Application period.--Except as provided in paragraph 
     (2), the Secretary shall accept initial applications for 
     certified agricultural worker status during the 18-month 
     period beginning on the date on which the interim final rule 
     is published in the Federal Register pursuant to section 
     122(a).
       (2) Extension.--If the Secretary determines, during the 
     initial period described in paragraph (1), that additional 
     time is required to process initial applications for 
     certified agricultural worker status or for other good cause, 
     the Secretary may extend the period for accepting 
     applications for up to an additional 12 months.
       (3) Submission of applications.--
       (A) In general.--An alien may file an application with the 
     Secretary under this section with the assistance of an 
     attorney or a nonprofit religious, charitable, social 
     service, or similar organization recognized by the Board of 
     Immigration Appeals under section 292.2 of title 8, Code of 
     Federal Regulations. The Secretary

[[Page H1528]]

     shall also create a procedure for accepting applications 
     filed by qualified designated entities with the consent of 
     the applicant.
       (B) Farm service agency offices.--The Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall 
     establish a process for the filing of applications under this 
     section at Farm Service Agency offices throughout the United 
     States.
       (4) Evidence of application filing.--As soon as practicable 
     after receiving an application for certified agricultural 
     worker status, the Secretary shall provide the applicant with 
     a document acknowledging the receipt of such application. 
     Such document shall serve as interim proof of the alien's 
     authorization to accept employment in the United States and 
     shall be accepted by an employer as evidence of employment 
     authorization under section 274A(b)(1)(C) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)(1)(C)), if the 
     employer is employing the holder of such document to perform 
     agricultural labor or services, pending a final 
     administrative decision on the application.
       (5) Effect of pending application.--During the period 
     beginning on the date on which an alien applies for certified 
     agricultural worker status under this subtitle, and ending on 
     the date on which the Secretary makes a final administrative 
     decision regarding such application, the alien and any 
     dependents included in the application--
       (A) may apply for advance parole, which shall be granted 
     upon demonstrating a legitimate need to travel outside the 
     United States for a temporary purpose;
       (B) may not be detained by the Secretary or removed from 
     the United States unless the Secretary makes a prima facie 
     determination that such alien is, or has become, ineligible 
     for certified agricultural worker status;
       (C) may not be considered unlawfully present under section 
     212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(a)(9)(B)); and
       (D) may not be considered an unauthorized alien (as defined 
     in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3))).
       (6) Withdrawal of application.--The Secretary shall, upon 
     receipt of a request from the applicant to withdraw an 
     application for certified agricultural worker status under 
     this subtitle, cease processing of the application, and close 
     the case. Withdrawal of the application shall not prejudice 
     any future application filed by the applicant for any 
     immigration benefit under this Act or under the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
       (d) Adjudication and Decision.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to section 123, the Secretary 
     shall render a decision on an application for certified 
     agricultural worker status not later than 180 days after the 
     date the application is filed.
       (2) Notice.--Prior to denying an application for certified 
     agricultural worker status, the Secretary shall provide the 
     alien with--
       (A) written notice that describes the basis for 
     ineligibility or the deficiencies in the evidence submitted; 
     and
       (B) at least 90 days to contest ineligibility or submit 
     additional evidence.
       (3) Amended application.--An alien whose application for 
     certified agricultural worker status is denied under this 
     section may submit an amended application for such status to 
     the Secretary if the amended application is submitted within 
     the application period described in subsection (c) and 
     contains all the required information and fees that were 
     missing from the initial application.
       (e) Alternative H-2A Status.--An alien who has not met the 
     required period of agricultural labor or services under 
     subsection (a)(1)(A), but is otherwise eligible for certified 
     agricultural worker status under such subsection, shall be 
     eligible for classification as a nonimmigrant described in 
     section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) upon 
     approval of a petition submitted by a sponsoring employer, if 
     the alien has performed at least 575 hours (or 100 work days) 
     of agricultural labor or services during the 3-year period 
     preceding the date of the introduction of this Act. The 
     Secretary shall create a procedure to provide for such 
     classification without requiring the alien to depart the 
     United States and obtain a visa abroad.

     SEC. 102. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CERTIFIED STATUS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Approval.--Upon approval of an application for 
     certified agricultural worker status, or an extension of such 
     status pursuant to section 103, the Secretary shall issue--
       (A) documentary evidence of such status to the applicant; 
     and
       (B) documentary evidence of certified agricultural 
     dependent status to any qualified dependent included on such 
     application.
       (2) Documentary evidence.--In addition to any other 
     features and information as the Secretary may prescribe, the 
     documentary evidence described in paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall be machine-readable and tamper-resistant;
       (B) shall contain a digitized photograph;
       (C) shall serve as a valid travel and entry document for 
     purposes of applying for admission to the United States; and
       (D) shall be accepted during the period of its validity by 
     an employer as evidence of employment authorization and 
     identity under section 274A(b)(1)(B) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)(1)(B)).
       (3) Validity period.--Certified agricultural worker and 
     certified agricultural dependent status shall be valid for 
     5\1/2\ years beginning on the date of approval.
       (4) Travel authorization.--An alien with certified 
     agricultural worker or certified agricultural dependent 
     status may--
       (A) travel within and outside of the United States, 
     including commuting to the United States from a residence in 
     a foreign country; and
       (B) be admitted to the United States upon return from 
     travel abroad without first obtaining a visa if the alien is 
     in possession of--
       (i) valid, unexpired documentary evidence of certified 
     agricultural worker or certified agricultural worker 
     dependent status as described in subsection (a); or
       (ii) a travel document that has been approved by the 
     Secretary and was issued to the alien after the alien's 
     original documentary evidence was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
       (b) Ability To Change Status.--
       (1) Change to certified agricultural worker status.--
     Notwithstanding section 101(a), an alien with valid certified 
     agricultural dependent status may apply to change to 
     certified agricultural worker status, at any time, if the 
     alien--
       (A) submits a completed application, including the required 
     processing fees; and
       (B) is not ineligible for certified agricultural worker 
     status under section 101(b).
       (2) Clarification.--Nothing in this title prohibits an 
     alien granted certified agricultural worker or certified 
     agricultural dependent status from changing status to any 
     other nonimmigrant classification for which the alien may be 
     eligible.
       (c) Prohibition on Public Benefits, Tax Benefits, and 
     Health Care Subsidies.--Aliens granted certified agricultural 
     worker or certified agricultural dependent status shall be 
     considered lawfully present in the United States for all 
     purposes for the duration of their status, except that such 
     aliens--
       (1) shall be ineligible for Federal means-tested public 
     benefits to the same extent as other individuals who are not 
     qualified aliens under section 431 of the Personal 
     Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 
     1996 (8 U.S.C. 1641);
       (2) are not entitled to the premium assistance tax credit 
     authorized under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 (26 U.S.C. 36B), and shall be subject to the rules 
     applicable to individuals who are not lawfully present set 
     forth in subsection (e) of such section;
       (3) shall be subject to the rules applicable to individuals 
     who are not lawfully present set forth in section 1402(e) of 
     the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 
     18071(e)); and
       (4) shall be subject to the rules applicable to individuals 
     not lawfully present set forth in section 5000A(d)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 5000A(d)(3)).
       (d) Revocation of Status.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may revoke certified 
     agricultural worker or certified agricultural dependent 
     status if, after providing notice to the alien and the 
     opportunity to provide evidence to contest the proposed 
     revocation, the Secretary determines that the alien no longer 
     meets the eligibility requirements for such status under 
     section 101(b).
       (2) Invalidation of documentation.--Upon the Secretary's 
     final determination to revoke an alien's certified 
     agricultural worker or certified agricultural dependent 
     status, any documentation issued by the Secretary to such 
     alien under subsection (a) shall automatically be rendered 
     invalid for any purpose except for departure from the United 
     States.

     SEC. 103. EXTENSIONS OF CERTIFIED STATUS.

       (a) Requirements for Extensions of Status.--
       (1) Principal aliens.--The Secretary may extend certified 
     agricultural worker status for additional periods of 5\1/2\ 
     years to an alien who submits a completed application, 
     including the required processing fees, within the 120-day 
     period beginning 60 days before the expiration of the fifth 
     year of the immediately preceding grant of certified 
     agricultural worker status, if the alien--
       (A) except as provided in section 126(c), has performed 
     agricultural labor or services in the United States for at 
     least 575 hours (or 100 work days) for each of the prior 5 
     years in which the alien held certified agricultural worker 
     status; and
       (B) has not become ineligible for certified agricultural 
     worker status under section 101(b).
       (2) Dependent spouse and children.--The Secretary may grant 
     or extend certified agricultural dependent status to the 
     spouse or child of an alien granted an extension of certified 
     agricultural worker status under paragraph (1) if the spouse 
     or child is not ineligible for certified agricultural 
     dependent status under section 101(b).
       (3) Waiver for late filings.--The Secretary may waive an 
     alien's failure to timely file before the expiration of the 
     120-day period described in paragraph (1) if the alien 
     demonstrates that the delay was due to extraordinary 
     circumstances beyond the alien's control or for other good 
     cause.
       (b) Status for Workers With Pending Applications.--
       (1) In general.--Certified agricultural worker status of an 
     alien who timely files an application to extend such status 
     under subsection (a) (and the status of the alien's 
     dependents) shall be automatically extended through the date 
     on which the Secretary makes a final administrative decision 
     regarding such application.
       (2) Documentation of employment authorization.--As soon as 
     practicable after receipt of an application to extend 
     certified agricultural worker status under subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall issue a document to the alien 
     acknowledging the receipt of such application. An employer of 
     the worker may not refuse to accept such document as evidence 
     of employment authorization under section 274A(b)(1)(C) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1324a(b)(1)(C)), pending a final administrative decision on 
     the application.

[[Page H1529]]

       (c) Notice.--Prior to denying an application to extend 
     certified agricultural worker status, the Secretary shall 
     provide the alien with--
       (1) written notice that describes the basis for 
     ineligibility or the deficiencies of the evidence submitted; 
     and
       (2) at least 90 days to contest ineligibility or submit 
     additional evidence.

     SEC. 104. DETERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS PRESENCE.

       (a) Effect of Notice To Appear.--The continuous presence in 
     the United States of an applicant for certified agricultural 
     worker status under section 101 shall not terminate when the 
     alien is served a notice to appear under section 239(a) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229(a)).
       (b) Treatment of Certain Breaks in Presence.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
     (3), an alien shall be considered to have failed to maintain 
     continuous presence in the United States under this subtitle 
     if the alien departed the United States for any period 
     exceeding 90 days, or for any periods, in the aggregate, 
     exceeding 180 days.
       (2) Extensions for extenuating circumstances.--The 
     Secretary may extend the time periods described in paragraph 
     (1) for an alien who demonstrates that the failure to timely 
     return to the United States was due to extenuating 
     circumstances beyond the alien's control, including the 
     serious illness of the alien, or death or serious illness of 
     a spouse, parent, son or daughter, grandparent, or sibling of 
     the alien.
       (3) Travel authorized by the secretary.--Any period of 
     travel outside of the United States by an alien that was 
     authorized by the Secretary shall not be counted toward any 
     period of departure from the United States under paragraph 
     (1).

     SEC. 105. EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS.

       (a) Record of Employment.--An employer of an alien in 
     certified agricultural worker status shall provide such alien 
     with a written record of employment each year during which 
     the alien provides agricultural labor or services to such 
     employer as a certified agricultural worker.
       (b) Civil Penalties.--
       (1) In general.--If the Secretary determines, after notice 
     and an opportunity for a hearing, that an employer of an 
     alien with certified agricultural worker status has knowingly 
     failed to provide the record of employment required under 
     subsection (a), or has provided a false statement of material 
     fact in such a record, the employer shall be subject to a 
     civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500 per violation.
       (2) Limitation.--The penalty under paragraph (1) for 
     failure to provide employment records shall not apply unless 
     the alien has provided the employer with evidence of 
     employment authorization described in section 102 or 103.
       (3) Deposit of civil penalties.--Civil penalties collected 
     under this paragraph shall be deposited into the Immigration 
     Examinations Fee Account under section 286(m) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)).

     SEC. 106. ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL REVIEW.

       (a) Administrative Review.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     process by which an applicant may seek administrative review 
     of a denial of an application for certified agricultural 
     worker status under this subtitle, an application to extend 
     such status, or a revocation of such status.
       (b) Admissibility in Immigration Court.--Each record of an 
     alien's application for certified agricultural worker status 
     under this subtitle, application to extend such status, 
     revocation of such status, and each record created pursuant 
     to the administrative review process under subsection (a) is 
     admissible in immigration court, and shall be included in the 
     administrative record.
       (c) Judicial Review.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, judicial review of the Secretary's decision to deny 
     an application for certified agricultural worker status, an 
     application to extend such status, or the decision to revoke 
     such status, shall be limited to the review of an order of 
     removal under section 242 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1252).

      Subtitle B--Optional Earned Residence for Long-Term Workers

     SEC. 111. OPTIONAL ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR LONG-TERM 
                   AGRICULTURAL WORKERS.

       (a) Requirements for Adjustment of Status.--
       (1) Principal aliens.--The Secretary may adjust the status 
     of an alien from that of a certified agricultural worker to 
     that of a lawful permanent resident if the alien submits a 
     completed application, including the required processing and 
     penalty fees, and the Secretary determines that--
       (A) except as provided in section 126(c), the alien 
     performed agricultural labor or services for not less than 
     575 hours (or 100 work days) each year--
       (i) for at least 10 years prior to the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and for at least 4 years in certified 
     agricultural worker status; or
       (ii) for fewer than 10 years prior to the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and for at least 8 years in certified 
     agricultural worker status; and
       (B) the alien has not become ineligible for certified 
     agricultural worker status under section 101(b).
       (2) Dependent aliens.--
       (A) In general.--The spouse and each child of an alien 
     described in paragraph (1) whose status has been adjusted to 
     that of a lawful permanent resident may be granted lawful 
     permanent residence under this subtitle if--
       (i) the qualifying relationship to the principal alien 
     existed on the date on which such alien was granted 
     adjustment of status under this subtitle; and
       (ii) the spouse or child is not ineligible for certified 
     agricultural worker dependent status under section 101(b).
       (B) Protections for spouses and children.--The Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall establish procedures to allow the 
     spouse or child of a certified agricultural worker to self-
     petition for lawful permanent residence under this subtitle 
     in cases involving--
       (i) the death of the certified agricultural worker, so long 
     as the spouse or child submits a petition not later than 2 
     years after the date of the worker's death; or
       (ii) the spouse or a child being battered or subjected to 
     extreme cruelty by the certified agricultural worker.
       (3) Documentation of work history.--An applicant for 
     adjustment of status under this section shall not be required 
     to resubmit evidence of work history that has been previously 
     submitted to the Secretary in connection with an approved 
     extension of certified agricultural worker status.
       (b) Penalty Fee.--In addition to any processing fee that 
     the Secretary may assess in accordance with section 122(b), a 
     principal alien seeking adjustment of status under this 
     subtitle shall pay a $1,000 penalty fee, which shall be 
     deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account 
     pursuant to section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C.1356(m)).
       (c) Effect of Pending Application.--During the period 
     beginning on the date on which an alien applies for 
     adjustment of status under this subtitle, and ending on the 
     date on which the Secretary makes a final administrative 
     decision regarding such application, the alien and any 
     dependents included on the application--
       (1) may apply for advance parole, which shall be granted 
     upon demonstrating a legitimate need to travel outside the 
     United States for a temporary purpose;
       (2) may not be detained by the Secretary or removed from 
     the United States unless the Secretary makes a prima facie 
     determination that such alien is, or has become, ineligible 
     for adjustment of status under subsection (a);
       (3) may not be considered unlawfully present under section 
     212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(a)(9)(B)); and
       (4) may not be considered an unauthorized alien (as defined 
     in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3))).
       (d) Evidence of Application Filing.--As soon as practicable 
     after receiving an application for adjustment of status under 
     this subtitle, the Secretary shall provide the applicant with 
     a document acknowledging the receipt of such application. 
     Such document shall serve as interim proof of the alien's 
     authorization to accept employment in the United States and 
     shall be accepted by an employer as evidence of employment 
     authorization under section 274A(b)(1)(C) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)(1)(C)), pending a 
     final administrative decision on the application.
       (e) Withdrawal of Application.--The Secretary shall, upon 
     receipt of a request to withdraw an application for 
     adjustment of status under this subtitle, cease processing of 
     the application, and close the case. Withdrawal of the 
     application shall not prejudice any future application filed 
     by the applicant for any immigration benefit under this Act 
     or under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 
     et seq.).

     SEC. 112. PAYMENT OF TAXES.

       (a) In General.--An alien may not be granted adjustment of 
     status under this subtitle unless the applicant has satisfied 
     any applicable Federal tax liability.
       (b) Compliance.--An alien may demonstrate compliance with 
     subsection (a) by submitting such documentation as the 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, may require by regulation.

     SEC. 113. ADJUDICATION AND DECISION; REVIEW.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the requirements of section 
     123, the Secretary shall render a decision on an application 
     for adjustment of status under this subtitle not later than 
     180 days after the date on which the application is filed.
       (b) Notice.--Prior to denying an application for adjustment 
     of status under this subtitle, the Secretary shall provide 
     the alien with--
       (1) written notice that describes the basis for 
     ineligibility or the deficiencies of the evidence submitted; 
     and
       (2) at least 90 days to contest ineligibility or submit 
     additional evidence.
       (c) Administrative Review.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     process by which an applicant may seek administrative review 
     of a denial of an application for adjustment of status under 
     this subtitle.
       (d) Judicial Review.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, an alien may seek judicial review of a denial of an 
     application for adjustment of status under this title in an 
     appropriate United States district court.

                     Subtitle C--General Provisions

     SEC. 121. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided, any term 
     used in this title that is used in the immigration laws shall 
     have the meaning given such term in the immigration laws (as 
     such term is defined in section 101 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101)).
       (2) Agricultural labor or services.--The term 
     ``agricultural labor or services'' means--
       (A) agricultural labor or services as such term is used in 
     section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)), without regard to whether 
     the labor or services are of a seasonal or temporary nature; 
     and

[[Page H1530]]

       (B) agricultural employment as such term is defined in 
     section 3 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker 
     Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1802), without regard to whether 
     the specific service or activity is temporary or seasonal.
       (3) Applicable federal tax liability.--The term 
     ``applicable Federal tax liability'' means all Federal income 
     taxes assessed in accordance with section 6203 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 beginning on the date on which 
     the applicant was authorized to work in the United States as 
     a certified agricultural worker.
       (4) Appropriate united states district court.--The term 
     ``appropriate United States district court'' means the United 
     States District Court for the District of Columbia or the 
     United States district court with jurisdiction over the 
     alien's principal place of residence.
       (5) Child.--The term ``child'' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)).
       (6) Convicted or conviction.--The term ``convicted'' or 
     ``conviction'' does not include a judgment that has been 
     expunged or set aside, that resulted in a rehabilitative 
     disposition, or the equivalent.
       (7) Employer.--The term ``employer'' means any person or 
     entity, including any labor contractor or any agricultural 
     association, that employs workers in agricultural labor or 
     services.
       (8) Qualified designated entity.--The term ``qualified 
     designated entity'' means--
       (A) a qualified farm labor organization or an association 
     of employers designated by the Secretary; or
       (B) any other entity that the Secretary designates as 
     having substantial experience, demonstrated competence, and a 
     history of long-term involvement in the preparation and 
     submission of application for adjustment of status under 
     title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1151 et seq.).
       (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security.
       (10) Work day.--The term ``work day'' means any day in 
     which the individual is employed 5.75 or more hours in 
     agricultural labor or services.

     SEC. 122. RULEMAKING; FEES.

       (a) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the 
     Federal Register, an interim final rule implementing this 
     title. Notwithstanding section 553 of title 5, United States 
     Code, the rule shall be effective, on an interim basis, 
     immediately upon publication, but may be subject to change 
     and revision after public notice and opportunity for comment. 
     The Secretary shall finalize such rule not later than 1 year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (b) Fees.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may require an alien 
     applying for any benefit under this title to pay a reasonable 
     fee that is commensurate with the cost of processing the 
     application.
       (2) Fee waiver; installments.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish procedures 
     to allow an alien to--
       (i) request a waiver of any fee that the Secretary may 
     assess under this title if the alien demonstrates to the 
     satisfaction of the Secretary that the alien is unable to pay 
     the prescribed fee; or
       (ii) pay any fee or penalty that the Secretary may assess 
     under this title in installments.
       (B) Clarification.--Nothing in this section shall be read 
     to prohibit an employer from paying any fee or penalty that 
     the Secretary may assess under this title on behalf of an 
     alien and the alien's spouse or children.

     SEC. 123. BACKGROUND CHECKS.

       (a) Submission of Biometric and Biographic Data.--The 
     Secretary may not grant or extend certified agricultural 
     worker or certified agricultural dependent status under 
     subtitle A, or grant adjustment of status to that of a lawful 
     permanent resident under subtitle B, unless the alien submits 
     biometric and biographic data, in accordance with procedures 
     established by the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide an 
     alternative procedure for aliens who cannot provide all 
     required biometric or biographic data because of a physical 
     impairment.
       (b) Background Checks.--The Secretary shall use biometric, 
     biographic, and other data that the Secretary determines 
     appropriate to conduct security and law enforcement 
     background checks and to determine whether there is any 
     criminal, national security, or other factor that would 
     render the alien ineligible for status under this title. An 
     alien may not be granted any such status under this title 
     unless security and law enforcement background checks are 
     completed to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

     SEC. 124. PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), for 
     purposes of eligibility for certified agricultural dependent 
     status or lawful permanent resident status under this title, 
     a determination of whether an alien is a child shall be made 
     using the age of the alien on the date on which the initial 
     application for certified agricultural worker status is filed 
     with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
       (b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) shall apply for no more 
     than 10 years after the date on which the initial application 
     for certified agricultural worker status is filed with the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security.

     SEC. 125. LIMITATION ON REMOVAL.

       (a) In General.--An alien who appears to be prima facie 
     eligible for status under this title shall be given a 
     reasonable opportunity to apply for such status. Such an 
     alien may not be placed in removal proceedings or removed 
     from the United States until a final administrative decision 
     establishing ineligibility for such status is rendered.
       (b) Aliens in Removal Proceedings.--Notwithstanding any 
     other provision of the law, the Attorney General shall (upon 
     motion by the Secretary with the consent of the alien, or 
     motion by the alien) terminate removal proceedings, without 
     prejudice, against an alien who appears to be prima facie 
     eligible for status under this title, and provide such alien 
     a reasonable opportunity to apply for such status.
       (c) Effect of Final Order.--An alien present in the United 
     States who has been ordered removed or has been permitted to 
     depart voluntarily from the United States may, 
     notwithstanding such order or permission to depart, apply for 
     status under this title. Such alien shall not be required to 
     file a separate motion to reopen, reconsider, or vacate the 
     order of removal. If the Secretary approves the application, 
     the Secretary shall notify the Attorney General of such 
     approval, and the Attorney General shall cancel the order of 
     removal. If the Secretary renders a final administrative 
     decision to deny the application, the order of removal or 
     permission to depart shall be effective and enforceable to 
     the same extent as if the application had not been made, only 
     after all available administrative and judicial remedies have 
     been exhausted.
       (d) Effect of Departure.--Section 101(g) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(g)) shall not apply to an 
     alien who departs the United States--
       (1) with advance permission to return to the United States 
     granted by the Secretary under this title; or
       (2) after having been granted certified agricultural worker 
     status or lawful permanent resident status under this title.

     SEC. 126. DOCUMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL WORK HISTORY.

       (a) Burden of Proof.--An alien applying for certified 
     agricultural worker status under subtitle A or adjustment of 
     status under subtitle B has the burden of proving by a 
     preponderance of the evidence that the alien has worked the 
     requisite number of hours or days required under section 101, 
     103, or 111, as applicable. The Secretary shall establish 
     special procedures to properly credit work in cases in which 
     an alien was employed under an assumed name.
       (b) Evidence.--An alien may meet the burden of proof under 
     subsection (a) by producing sufficient evidence to show the 
     extent of such employment as a matter of just and reasonable 
     inference. Such evidence may include--
       (1) an annual record of certified agricultural worker 
     employment as described in section 105(a), or other 
     employment records from employers;
       (2) employment records maintained by collective bargaining 
     associations;
       (3) tax records or other government records;
       (4) sworn affidavits from individuals who have direct 
     knowledge of the alien's work history; or
       (5) any other documentation designated by the Secretary for 
     such purpose.
       (c) Exceptions for Extraordinary Circumstances.--
       (1) Impact of covid-19.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary may grant certified 
     agricultural worker status to an alien who is otherwise 
     eligible for such status if such alien is able to only 
     partially satisfy the requirement under section 101(a)(1)(A) 
     as a result of reduced hours of employment or other 
     restrictions associated with the public health emergency 
     declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 
     section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) 
     with respect to COVID-19.
       (B) Limitation.--The exception described in subparagraph 
     (A) shall apply only to agricultural labor or services 
     required to be performed during the period that--
       (i) begins on the first day of the public health emergency 
     described in subparagraph (A); and
       (ii) ends 90 days after the date on which such public 
     health emergency terminates.
       (2) Extraordinary circumstances.--In determining whether an 
     alien has met the requirement under section 103(a)(1)(A) or 
     111(a)(1)(A), the Secretary may credit the alien with not 
     more than 575 hours (or 100 work days) of agricultural labor 
     or services in the United States if the alien was unable to 
     perform the required agricultural labor or services due to--
       (A) pregnancy, parental leave, illness, disease, disabling 
     injury, or physical limitation of the alien;
       (B) injury, illness, disease, or other special needs of the 
     alien's child or spouse;
       (C) severe weather conditions that prevented the alien from 
     engaging in agricultural labor or services;
       (D) reduced hours of employment or other restrictions 
     associated with the public health emergency declared by the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of 
     the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) with respect 
     to COVID-19; or
       (E) termination from agricultural employment, if the 
     Secretary determines that--
       (i) the termination was without just cause; and
       (ii) the alien was unable to find alternative agricultural 
     employment after a reasonable job search.
       (3) Effect of determination.--A determination under 
     paragraph (1)(E) shall not be conclusive, binding, or 
     admissible in a separate or subsequent judicial or 
     administrative action or proceeding between the alien and a 
     current or prior employer of the alien or any other party.
       (4) Hardship waiver.--
       (A) In general.--As part of the rulemaking described in 
     section 122(a), the Secretary shall establish procedures 
     allowing for a partial waiver of the requirement under 
     section 111(a)(1)(A) for a certified agricultural worker if 
     such worker--
       (i) has continuously maintained certified agricultural 
     worker status since the date such status was initially 
     granted;

[[Page H1531]]

       (ii) has partially completed the requirement under section 
     111(a)(1)(A); and
       (iii) is no longer able to engage in agricultural labor or 
     services safely and effectively because of--

       (I) a permanent disability suffered while engaging in 
     agricultural labor or services; or
       (II) deteriorating health or physical ability combined with 
     advanced age.

       (B) Disability.--In establishing the procedures described 
     in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner 
     of Social Security to define ``permanent disability'' for 
     purposes of a waiver under subparagraph (A)(iii)(I).

     SEC. 127. EMPLOYER PROTECTIONS.

       (a) Continuing Employment.--An employer that continues to 
     employ an alien knowing that the alien intends to apply for 
     certified agricultural worker status under subtitle A shall 
     not violate section 274A(a)(2) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(2)) by continuing to 
     employ the alien for the duration of the application period 
     under section 101(c), and with respect to an alien who 
     applies for certified agricultural status, for the duration 
     of the period during which the alien's application is pending 
     final determination.
       (b) Use of Employment Records.--Copies of employment 
     records or other evidence of employment provided by an alien 
     or by an alien's employer in support of an alien's 
     application for certified agricultural worker or adjustment 
     of status under this title may not be used in a civil or 
     criminal prosecution or investigation of that employer under 
     section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1324a) or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the prior 
     unlawful employment of that alien regardless of the outcome 
     of such application.
       (c) Additional Protections.--Employers that provide 
     unauthorized aliens with copies of employment records or 
     other evidence of employment in support of an application for 
     certified agricultural worker status or adjustment of status 
     under this title shall not be subject to civil and criminal 
     liability pursuant to such section 274A for employing such 
     unauthorized aliens. Records or other evidence of employment 
     provided by employers in response to a request for such 
     records for the purpose of establishing eligibility for 
     status under this title may not be used for any purpose other 
     than establishing such eligibility.
       (d) Limitation on Protection.--The protections for 
     employers under this section shall not apply if the employer 
     provides employment records to the alien that are determined 
     to be fraudulent.

     SEC. 128. CORRECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS; CONFORMING 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 208(e)(1) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 408(e)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or'' at the end;
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
       ``(D) who is granted certified agricultural worker status, 
     certified agricultural dependent status, or lawful permanent 
     resident status under title I of the Farm Work Modernization 
     Act of 2021,''; and
       (4) in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (D), 
     as added by paragraph (3), by striking ``1990.'' and 
     inserting ``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 status under 
     title I of the Farm Work Modernization Act of 2021.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month that 
     begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Social security act.--Section 210(a)(1) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 410(a)(1)) is amended by inserting 
     before the semicolon the following: ``(other than aliens 
     granted certified agricultural worker status or certified 
     agricultural dependent status under title I of the Farm Work 
     Modernization Act of 2021''.
       (2) Internal revenue code of 1986.--Section 3121(b)(1) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting 
     before the semicolon the following: ``(other than aliens 
     granted certified agricultural worker status or certified 
     agricultural dependent status under title I of the Farm Work 
     Modernization Act of 2021''.
       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall apply with respect to service performed after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Automated System To Assign Social Security Account 
     Numbers.--Section 205(c)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(iv) The Commissioner of Social Security shall, to the 
     extent practicable, coordinate with the Secretary of the 
     Department of Homeland Security to implement an automated 
     system for the Commissioner to assign social security account 
     numbers to aliens granted certified agricultural worker 
     status or certified agricultural dependent status under title 
     I of the Farm Work Modernization Act of 2021. An alien who is 
     granted such status, and who was not previously assigned a 
     social security account number, shall request assignment of a 
     social security account number and a social security card 
     from the Commissioner through such system. The Secretary 
     shall collect and provide to the Commissioner such 
     information as the Commissioner deems necessary for the 
     Commissioner to assign a social security account number, 
     which information may be used by the Commissioner for any 
     purpose for which the Commissioner is otherwise authorized 
     under Federal law. The Commissioner may maintain, use, and 
     disclose such information only as permitted by the Privacy 
     Act and other Federal law.''.

     SEC. 129. DISCLOSURES AND PRIVACY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may not disclose or use 
     information provided in an application for certified 
     agricultural worker status or adjustment of status under this 
     title (including information provided during administrative 
     or judicial review) for the purpose of immigration 
     enforcement.
       (b) Referrals Prohibited.--The Secretary, based solely on 
     information provided in an application for certified 
     agricultural worker status or adjustment of status under this 
     title (including information provided during administrative 
     or judicial review), may not refer an applicant to U.S. 
     Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection, or any designee of either such entity.
       (c) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), 
     information provided in an application for certified 
     agricultural worker status or adjustment of status under this 
     title may be shared with Federal security and law enforcement 
     agencies--
       (1) for assistance in the consideration of an application 
     under this title;
       (2) to identify or prevent fraudulent claims or schemes;
       (3) for national security purposes; or
       (4) for the investigation or prosecution of any felony not 
     related to immigration status.
       (d) Penalty.--Any person who knowingly uses, publishes, or 
     permits information to be examined in violation of this 
     section shall be fined not more than $10,000.
       (e) Privacy.--The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate 
     administrative and physical safeguards are in place to 
     protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of 
     personally identifiable information collected, maintained, 
     and disseminated pursuant to this title.

     SEC. 130. PENALTIES FOR FALSE STATEMENTS IN APPLICATIONS.

       (a) Criminal Penalty.--Any person who--
       (1) files an application for certified agricultural worker 
     status or adjustment of status under this title and knowingly 
     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
       (2) creates or supplies a false writing or document for use 
     in making such an application,
     shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States 
     Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
       (b) Inadmissibility.--An alien who is convicted under 
     subsection (a) shall be deemed inadmissible to the United 
     States under section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)).
       (c) Deposit.--Fines collected under subsection (a) shall be 
     deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account 
     pursuant to section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)).

     SEC. 131. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.

       (a) In General.--Beginning not later than the first day of 
     the application period described in section 101(c)--
       (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security, in cooperation with 
     qualified designated entities, shall broadly disseminate 
     information described in subsection (b); and
       (2) the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, shall disseminate to 
     agricultural employers a document containing the information 
     described in subsection (b) for posting at employer 
     worksites.
       (b) Information Described.--The information described in 
     this subsection shall include--
       (1) the benefits that aliens may receive under this title; 
     and
       (2) the requirements that an alien must meet to receive 
     such benefits.

     SEC. 132. EXEMPTION FROM NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS.

        The numerical limitations under title II of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.) shall 
     not apply to the adjustment of aliens to lawful permanent 
     resident status under this title, and such aliens shall not 
     be counted toward any such numerical limitation.

     SEC. 133. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       Not later than 180 days after the publication of the final 
     rule under section 122(a), and annually thereafter for the 
     following 10 years, the Secretary shall submit a report to 
     Congress that identifies, for the previous fiscal year--
       (1) the number of principal aliens who applied for 
     certified agricultural worker status under subtitle A, and 
     the number of dependent spouses and children included in such 
     applications;
       (2) the number of principal aliens who were granted 
     certified agricultural worker status under subtitle A, and 
     the number of dependent spouses and children who were granted 
     certified agricultural dependent status;
       (3) the number of principal aliens who applied for an 
     extension of their certified agricultural worker status under 
     subtitle A, and the number of dependent spouses and children 
     included in such applications;
       (4) the number of principal aliens who were granted an 
     extension of certified agricultural worker status under 
     subtitle A, and the number of dependent spouses and children 
     who were granted certified agricultural dependent status 
     under such an extension;
       (5) the number of principal aliens who applied for 
     adjustment of status under subtitle B, and the number of 
     dependent spouses and children included in such applications;

[[Page H1532]]

       (6) the number of principal aliens who were granted lawful 
     permanent resident status under subtitle B, and the number of 
     spouses and children who were granted such status as 
     dependents;
       (7) the number of principal aliens included in petitions 
     described in section 101(e), and the number of dependent 
     spouses and children included in such applications; and
       (8) the number of principal aliens who were granted H-2A 
     status pursuant to petitions described in section 101(e), and 
     the number of dependent spouses and children who were granted 
     H-4 status.

     SEC. 134. GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
     to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
     nonprofit organizations to assist eligible applicants under 
     this title by providing them with the services described in 
     subsection (c).
       (b) Eligible Nonprofit Organization.--For purposes of this 
     section, the term ``eligible nonprofit organization'' means 
     an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (excluding a recipient of funds 
     under title X of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 
     U.S.C. 2996 et seq.)) that has demonstrated qualifications, 
     experience, and expertise in providing quality services to 
     farm workers or aliens.
       (c) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this section 
     may be used for the design and implementation of programs 
     that provide--
       (1) information to the public regarding the eligibility and 
     benefits of certified agricultural worker status authorized 
     under this title; and
       (2) assistance, within the scope of authorized practice of 
     immigration law, to individuals submitting applications for 
     certified agricultural worker status or adjustment of status 
     under this title, including--
       (A) screening prospective applicants to assess their 
     eligibility for such status;
       (B) completing applications, including providing assistance 
     in obtaining necessary documents and supporting evidence; and
       (C) providing any other assistance that the Secretary 
     determines useful to assist aliens in applying for certified 
     agricultural worker status or adjustment of status under this 
     title.
       (d) Source of Funds.--In addition to any funds appropriated 
     to carry out this section, the Secretary may use up to 
     $10,000,000 from the Immigration Examinations Fee Account 
     under section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)) to carry out this section.
       (e) Eligibility for Services.--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 title X of 
     the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.) 
     from providing legal assistance directly related to an 
     application for status under this title or to an alien 
     granted such status.

     SEC. 135. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, 
     such sums as may be necessary to implement this title, 
     including any amounts needed for costs associated with the 
     initiation of such implementation, for each of fiscal years 
     2022 through 2024.

      TITLE II--ENSURING AN AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

        Subtitle A--Reforming the H-2A Temporary Worker Program

     SEC. 201. COMPREHENSIVE AND STREAMLINED ELECTRONIC H-2A 
                   PLATFORM.

       (a) Streamlined H-2A Platform.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of State, and United 
     States Digital Service, shall ensure the establishment of an 
     electronic platform through which a petition for an H-2A 
     worker may be filed. Such platform shall--
       (A) serve as a single point of access for an employer to 
     input all information and supporting documentation required 
     for obtaining labor certification from the Secretary of Labor 
     and the adjudication of the H-2A petition by the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security;
       (B) serve as a single point of access for the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, the Secretary of Labor, and State 
     workforce agencies to concurrently perform their respective 
     review and adjudicatory responsibilities in the H-2A process;
       (C) facilitate communication between employers and agency 
     adjudicators, including by allowing employers to--
       (i) receive and respond to notices of deficiency and 
     requests for information;
       (ii) submit requests for inspections and licensing;
       (iii) receive notices of approval and denial; and
       (iv) request reconsideration or appeal of agency decisions; 
     and
       (D) provide information to the Secretary of State and U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection necessary for the efficient and 
     secure processing of H-2A visas and applications for 
     admission.
       (2) Objectives.--In developing the platform described in 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, the Secretary of State, and United States 
     Digital Service, shall streamline and improve the H-2A 
     process, including by--
       (A) eliminating the need for employers to submit duplicate 
     information and documentation to multiple agencies;
       (B) eliminating redundant processes, where a single matter 
     in a petition is adjudicated by more than one agency;
       (C) reducing the occurrence of common petition errors, and 
     otherwise improving and expediting the processing of H-2A 
     petitions; and
       (D) ensuring compliance with H-2A program requirements and 
     the protection of the wages and working conditions of 
     workers.
       (b) Online Job Registry.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
     maintain a national, publicly-accessible online job registry 
     and database of all job orders submitted by H-2A employers. 
     The registry and database shall--
       (1) be searchable using relevant criteria, including the 
     types of jobs needed to be filled, the date(s) and 
     location(s) of need, and the employer(s) named in the job 
     order;
       (2) provide an interface for workers in English, Spanish, 
     and any other language that the Secretary of Labor determines 
     to be appropriate; and
       (3) provide for public access of job orders approved under 
     section 218(h)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

     SEC. 202. H-2A PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

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

     ``SEC. 218. ADMISSION OF TEMPORARY H-2A WORKERS.

       ``(a) Labor Certification Conditions.--The Secretary of 
     Homeland Security may not approve a petition to admit an H-2A 
     worker unless the Secretary of Labor has certified that--
       ``(1) there are not sufficient United States workers who 
     are able, willing and qualified, and who will be available at 
     the time and place needed, to perform the agricultural labor 
     or services described in the petition; and
       ``(2) the employment of the H-2A worker in such labor or 
     services will not adversely affect the wages and working 
     conditions of workers in the United States who are similarly 
     employed.
       ``(b) H-2A Petition Requirements.--An employer filing a 
     petition for an H-2A worker to perform agricultural labor or 
     services shall attest to and demonstrate compliance, as and 
     when appropriate, with all applicable requirements under this 
     section, including the following:
       ``(1) Need for labor or services.--The employer has 
     described the need for agricultural labor or services in a 
     job order that includes a description of the nature and 
     location of the work to be performed, the material terms and 
     conditions of employment, the anticipated period or periods 
     (expected start and end dates) for which the workers will be 
     needed, and the number of job opportunities in which the 
     employer seeks to employ the workers.
       ``(2) Nondisplacement of united states workers.--The 
     employer has not and will not displace United States workers 
     employed by the employer during the period of employment of 
     the H-2A worker and during the 60-day period immediately 
     preceding such period of employment in the job for which the 
     employer seeks approval to employ the H-2A worker.
       ``(3) Strike or lockout.--Each place of employment 
     described in the petition is not, at the time of filing the 
     petition and until the petition is approved, subject to a 
     strike or lockout in the course of a labor dispute.
       ``(4) Recruitment of united states workers.--The employer 
     shall engage in the recruitment of United States workers as 
     described in subsection (c) and shall hire such workers who 
     are able, willing and qualified, and who will be available at 
     the time and place needed, to perform the agricultural labor 
     or services described in the petition. The employer may 
     reject a United States worker only for lawful, job-related 
     reasons.
       ``(5) Wages, benefits, and working conditions.--The 
     employer shall offer and provide, at a minimum, the wages, 
     benefits, and working conditions required by this section to 
     the H-2A worker and all workers who are similarly employed. 
     The employer--
       ``(A) shall offer such similarly employed workers not less 
     than the same benefits, wages, and working conditions that 
     the employer is offering or will provide to the H-2A worker; 
     and
       ``(B) may not impose on such similarly employed workers any 
     restrictions or obligations that will not be imposed on the 
     H-2A worker.
       ``(6) Workers' compensation.--If the job opportunity is not 
     covered by or is exempt from the State workers' compensation 
     law, the employer shall 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.
       ``(7) Compliance with labor and employment laws.--The 
     employer shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and 
     local employment-related laws and regulations.
       ``(8) Compliance with worker protections.--The employer 
     shall comply with section 204 of the Farm Workforce 
     Modernization Act of 2021.
       ``(9) Compliance with foreign labor recruitment laws.--The 
     employer shall comply with subtitle C of title II of the Farm 
     Workforce Modernization Act of 2021.
       ``(c) Recruiting Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--The employer may satisfy the recruitment 
     requirement described in subsection (b)(4) by satisfying all 
     of the following:
       ``(A) Job order.--As provided in subsection (h)(1), the 
     employer shall complete a job order for posting on the 
     electronic job registry maintained by the Secretary of Labor 
     and for distribution by the appropriate State workforce 
     agency. Such posting shall remain on the job registry as an 
     active job order through the period described in paragraph 
     (2)(B).
       ``(B) Former workers.--At least 45 days before each start 
     date identified in the petition, the employer shall--
       ``(i) make reasonable efforts to contact any United States 
     worker the employer employed in the previous year in the same 
     occupation and

[[Page H1533]]

     area of intended employment for which an H-2A worker is 
     sought (excluding workers who were terminated for cause or 
     abandoned the worksite); and
       ``(ii) post such job opportunity in a conspicuous location 
     or locations at the place of employment.
       ``(C) Positive recruitment.--During the period of 
     recruitment, the employer shall complete any other positive 
     recruitment steps within a multi-State region of traditional 
     or expected labor supply where the Secretary of Labor finds 
     that there are a significant number of qualified United 
     States workers who, if recruited, would be willing to make 
     themselves available for work at the time and place needed.
       ``(2) Period of recruitment.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     period of recruitment begins on the date on which the job 
     order is posted on the online job registry and ends on the 
     date that H-2A workers depart for the employer's place of 
     employment. For a petition involving more than one start date 
     under subsection (h)(1)(C), the end of the period of 
     recruitment shall be determined by the date of departure of 
     the H-2A workers for the final start date identified in the 
     petition.
       ``(B) Requirement to hire us workers.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding the limitations of 
     subparagraph (A), the employer will provide employment to any 
     qualified United States worker who applies to the employer 
     for any job opportunity included in the petition until the 
     later of--

       ``(I) the date that is 30 days after the date on which work 
     begins; or
       ``(II) the date on which--

       ``(aa) 33 percent of the work contract for the job 
     opportunity has elapsed; or
       ``(bb) if the employer is a labor contractor, 50 percent of 
     the work contract for the job opportunity has elapsed.
       ``(ii) Staggered entry.--For a petition involving more than 
     one start date under subsection (h)(1)(C), each start date 
     designated in the petition shall establish a separate job 
     opportunity. An employer may not reject a United States 
     worker because the worker is unable or unwilling to fill more 
     than one job opportunity included in the petition.
       ``(iii) Exception.--Notwithstanding clause (i), the 
     employer may offer a job opportunity to an H-2A worker 
     instead of an alien granted certified agricultural worker 
     status under title I of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act 
     of 2021 if the H-2A worker was employed by the employer in 
     each of 3 years during the most recent 4-year period.
       ``(3) Recruitment report.--
       ``(A) In general.--The employer shall maintain a 
     recruitment report through the applicable period described in 
     paragraph (2)(B) and submit regular updates through the 
     electronic platform on the results of recruitment. The 
     employer shall retain the recruitment report, and all 
     associated recruitment documentation, for a period of 3 years 
     from the date of certification.
       ``(B) Burden of proof.--If the employer asserts that any 
     eligible individual who has applied or been referred is not 
     able, willing or qualified, the employer bears the burden of 
     proof to establish that the individual is not able, willing 
     or qualified because of a lawful, employment-related reason.
       ``(d) Wage Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each employer under this section will 
     offer the worker, during the period of authorized employment, 
     wages that are at least the greatest of--
       ``(A) the agreed-upon collective bargaining wage;
       ``(B) the adverse effect wage rate (or any successor wage 
     established under paragraph (7));
       ``(C) the prevailing wage (hourly wage or piece rate); or
       ``(D) the Federal or State minimum wage.
       ``(2) Adverse effect wage rate determinations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided under subparagraph 
     (B), the applicable adverse effect wage rate for each State 
     and occupational classification for a calendar year shall be 
     as follows:
       ``(i) The annual average hourly wage for the occupational 
     classification in the State or region as reported by the 
     Secretary of Agriculture based on a wage survey conducted by 
     such Secretary.
       ``(ii) If a wage described in clause (i) is not reported, 
     the national annual average hourly wage for the occupational 
     classification as reported by the Secretary of Agriculture 
     based on a wage survey conducted by such Secretary.
       ``(iii) If a wage described in clause (i) or (ii) is not 
     reported, the Statewide annual average hourly wage for the 
     standard occupational classification as reported by the 
     Secretary of Labor based on a wage survey conducted by such 
     Secretary.
       ``(iv) If a wage described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) is 
     not reported, the national average hourly wage for the 
     occupational classification as reported by the Secretary of 
     Labor based on a wage survey conducted by such Secretary.
       ``(B) Limitations on wage fluctuations.--
       ``(i) Wage freeze for calendar year 2022.--For calendar 
     year 2022, the adverse effect wage rate for each State and 
     occupational classification under this subsection shall be 
     the adverse effect wage rate that was in effect for H-2A 
     workers in the applicable State on the date of the 
     introduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021.
       ``(ii) Calendar years 2023 through 2031.--For each of 
     calendar years 2023 through 2031, the adverse effect wage 
     rate for each State and occupational classification under 
     this subsection shall be the wage calculated under 
     subparagraph (A), except that such wage may not--

       ``(I) be more than 1.5 percent lower than the wage in 
     effect for H-2A workers in the applicable State and 
     occupational classification in the immediately preceding 
     calendar year;
       ``(II) except as provided in clause (III), be more than 
     3.25 percent higher than the wage in effect for H-2A workers 
     in the applicable State and occupational classification in 
     the immediately preceding calendar year; and
       ``(III) if the application of clause (II) results in a wage 
     that is lower than 110 percent of the applicable Federal or 
     State minimum wage, be more than 4.25 percent higher than the 
     wage in effect for H-2A workers in the applicable State and 
     occupational classification in the immediately preceding 
     calendar year.

       ``(iii) Calendar years after 2031.--For any calendar year 
     after 2031, the applicable wage rate described in paragraph 
     (1)(B) shall be the wage rate established pursuant to 
     paragraph (7)(D). Until such wage rate is effective, the 
     adverse effect wage rate for each State and occupational 
     classification under this subsection shall be the wage 
     calculated under subparagraph (A), except that such wage may 
     not be more than 1.5 percent lower or 3.25 percent higher 
     than the wage in effect for H-2A workers in the applicable 
     State and occupational classification in the immediately 
     preceding calendar year.
       ``(3) Multiple occupations.--If the primary job duties for 
     the job opportunity described in the petition do not fall 
     within a single occupational classification, the applicable 
     wage rates under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) 
     for the job opportunity shall be based on the highest such 
     wage rates for all applicable occupational classifications.
       ``(4) Publication; wages in effect.--
       ``(A) Publication.--Prior to the start of each calendar 
     year, the Secretary of Labor shall publish the applicable 
     adverse effect wage rate (or successor wage rate, if any), 
     and prevailing wage if available, for each State and 
     occupational classification through notice in the Federal 
     Register.
       ``(B) Job orders in effect.--Except as provided in 
     subparagraph (C), publication by the Secretary of Labor of an 
     updated adverse effect wage rate or prevailing wage for a 
     State and occupational classification shall not affect the 
     wage rate guaranteed in any approved job order for which 
     recruitment efforts have commenced at the time of 
     publication.
       ``(C) Exception for year-round jobs.--If the Secretary of 
     Labor publishes an updated adverse effect wage rate or 
     prevailing wage for a State and occupational classification 
     concerning a petition described in subsection (i), and the 
     updated wage is higher than the wage rate guaranteed in the 
     work contract, the employer shall pay the updated wage not 
     later than 14 days after publication of the updated wage in 
     the Federal Register.
       ``(5) Workers paid on a piece rate or other incentive 
     basis.--If an employer pays by the piece rate or other 
     incentive method and requires one or more minimum 
     productivity standards as a condition of job retention, such 
     standards shall be specified in the job order and shall be no 
     more than those normally required (at the time of the first 
     petition for H-2A workers) by other employers for the 
     activity in the area of intended employment, unless the 
     Secretary of Labor approves a higher minimum standard 
     resulting from material changes in production methods.
       ``(6) Guarantee of employment.--
       ``(A) Offer to worker.--The employer shall guarantee 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 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 worker less employment than that required under 
     this paragraph, the employer shall pay the worker the amount 
     which the worker would have earned had the worker, in fact, 
     worked for the guaranteed number of hours.
       ``(B) Failure to work.--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.
       ``(C) Abandonment of employment; termination for cause.--If 
     the worker voluntarily abandons employment without good cause 
     before the end of the contract period, or is terminated for 
     cause, the worker is not entitled to the guarantee of 
     employment described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(D) Contract impossibility.--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 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. The employer shall make efforts to transfer a 
     worker to other comparable employment acceptable to the 
     worker. If such transfer is not affected, the employer shall 
     provide the return transportation required in subsection 
     (f)(2).
       ``(7) Wage standards after 2031.--
       ``(A) Study of adverse effect wage rate.--Beginning in 
     fiscal year 2028, the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary 
     of Labor shall jointly conduct a study that addresses--

[[Page H1534]]

       ``(i) whether the employment of H-2A workers has depressed 
     the wages of United States farm workers;
       ``(ii) whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to 
     protect the wages of United States farm workers in 
     occupations in which H-2A workers are employed;
       ``(iii) whether alternative wage standards 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;
       ``(iv) whether any changes are warranted in the current 
     methodologies for calculating the adverse effect wage rate 
     and the prevailing wage rate; and
       ``(v) recommendations for future wage protection under this 
     section.
       ``(B) Final report.--Not later than October 1, 2029, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Labor shall jointly 
     prepare and submit a report to the Congress setting forth the 
     findings of the study conducted under subparagraph (A) and 
     recommendations for future wage protections under this 
     section.
       ``(C) Consultation.--In conducting the study under 
     subparagraph (A) and preparing the report under subparagraph 
     (B), the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Labor 
     shall consult with representatives of agricultural employers 
     and an equal number of representatives of agricultural 
     workers, at the national, State and local level.
       ``(D) Wage determination after 2031.--Upon publication of 
     the report described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary of 
     Labor, in consultation with and the approval of the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, shall make a rule to establish a process for 
     annually determining the wage rate for purposes of paragraph 
     (1)(B) for fiscal years after 2031. Such process shall be 
     designed to ensure that the employment of H-2A workers does 
     not undermine the wages and working conditions of similarly 
     employed United States workers.
       ``(e) Housing Requirements.--Employers shall furnish 
     housing in accordance with regulations established by the 
     Secretary of Labor. Such regulations shall be consistent with 
     the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The employer shall be permitted at the 
     employer's option to provide housing meeting applicable 
     Federal standards for temporary labor camps or to secure 
     housing which meets the local standards for rental and/or 
     public accommodations or other substantially similar class of 
     habitation: Provided, That in the absence of applicable local 
     standards, State standards for rental and/or public 
     accommodations or other substantially similar class of 
     habitation shall be met: Provided further, That in the 
     absence of applicable local or State standards, Federal 
     temporary labor camp standards shall apply.
       ``(2) Family housing.--Except as otherwise provided in 
     subsection (i)(5), the employer shall provide family housing 
     to workers with families who request it when it is the 
     prevailing practice in the area and occupation of intended 
     employment to provide family housing.
       ``(3) United states workers.--Notwithstanding paragraphs 
     (1) and (2), an employer is not required to provide housing 
     to United States workers who are reasonably able to return to 
     their residence within the same day.
       ``(4) Timing of inspection.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Labor or designee shall 
     make a determination as to whether the housing furnished by 
     an employer for a worker meets the requirements imposed by 
     this subsection prior to the date on which the Secretary of 
     Labor is required to make a certification with respect to a 
     petition for the admission of such worker.
       ``(B) Timely inspection.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
     provide a process for--
       ``(i) an employer to request inspection of housing up to 60 
     days before the date on which the employer will file a 
     petition under this section; and
       ``(ii) annual inspection of housing for workers who are 
     engaged in agricultural employment that is not of a seasonal 
     or temporary nature.
       ``(f) Transportation Requirements.--
       ``(1) Travel to place of employment.--A worker who 
     completes 50 percent of the period of employment specified in 
     the job order 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.
       ``(2) Travel from place of employment.--For a worker who 
     completes the period of employment specified in the job order 
     or who is terminated without cause, the employer shall 
     provide or pay for 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.
       ``(3) Limitation.--
       ``(A) Amount of reimbursement.--Except as provided in 
     subparagraph (B), the amount of reimbursement provided under 
     paragraph (1) or (2) to a worker need not exceed 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 charges and subsistence costs for the distance 
     involved.
       ``(B) Distance traveled.--For travel to or from the 
     worker's home country, if the travel distance between the 
     worker's home and the relevant consulate is 50 miles or less, 
     reimbursement for transportation and subsistence may be based 
     on transportation to or from the consulate.
       ``(g) Heat Illness Prevention Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--The employer shall maintain a reasonable 
     plan that describes the employer's procedures for the 
     prevention of heat illness, including appropriate training, 
     access to water and shade, the provision of breaks, and the 
     protocols for emergency response. Such plan shall--
       ``(A) be in writing in English and, to the extent 
     necessary, any language common to a significant portion of 
     the workers if they are not fluent in English; and
       ``(B) be posted at a conspicuous location at the worksite 
     and provided to employees prior to the commencement of labor 
     or services.
       ``(2) Clarification.--Nothing in this subsection is 
     intended to limit any other Federal or State authority to 
     promulgate, enforce, or maintain health and safety standards 
     related to heat-related illness.
       ``(h) H-2A Petition Procedures.--
       ``(1) Submission of petition and job order.--
       ``(A) In general.--The employer shall submit information 
     required for the adjudication of the H-2A petition, including 
     a job order, through the electronic platform no more than 75 
     calendar days and no fewer than 60 calendar days before the 
     employer's first date of need specified in the petition.
       ``(B) Filing by agricultural associations.--An association 
     of agricultural producers that use agricultural services may 
     file an H-2A petition under subparagraph (A). If an 
     association is a joint or sole employer of workers who 
     perform agricultural labor or services, H-2A workers may be 
     used for the approved job opportunities of any of the 
     association's producer members and such workers may be 
     transferred among its producer members to perform the 
     agricultural labor or services for which the petition was 
     approved.
       ``(C) Petitions involving staggered entry.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), an 
     employer may file a petition involving employment in the same 
     occupational classification and same area of intended 
     employment with multiple start dates if--

       ``(I) the petition involves temporary or seasonal 
     employment and no more than 10 start dates;
       ``(II) the multiple start dates share a common end date;
       ``(III) no more than 120 days separate the first start date 
     and the final start date listed in the petition; and
       ``(IV) the need for multiple start dates arises from 
     variations in labor needs associated with the job opportunity 
     identified in the petition.

       ``(ii) Labor contractors.--A labor contractor may not file 
     a petition described in clause (i) unless the labor 
     contractor--

       ``(I) is filing as a joint employer with its contractees, 
     or is operating in a State in which joint employment and 
     liability between the labor contractor and its contractees is 
     otherwise established; or
       ``(II) has posted and is maintaining a premium surety bond 
     as described in subsection (l)(1).

       ``(2) Labor certification.--
       ``(A) Review of job order.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, in consultation 
     with the relevant State workforce agency, shall review the 
     job order for compliance with this section and notify the 
     employer through the electronic platform of any deficiencies 
     not later than 7 business days from the date the employer 
     submits the necessary information required under paragraph 
     (1)(A). The employer shall be provided 5 business days to 
     respond to any such notice of deficiency.
       ``(ii) Standard.--The job order must include all material 
     terms and conditions of employment, including the 
     requirements of this section, and must be otherwise 
     consistent with the minimum standards provided under Federal, 
     State or local law. In considering the question of whether a 
     specific qualification is appropriate in a job order, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall apply the normal and accepted 
     qualification required by non-H-2A employers in the same or 
     comparable occupations and crops.
       ``(iii) Emergency procedures.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
     establish emergency procedures for the curing of deficiencies 
     that cannot be resolved during the period described in clause 
     (i).
       ``(B) Approval of job order.--
       ``(i) In general.--Upon approval of the job order, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall immediately place for public 
     examination a copy of the job order on the online job 
     registry, and the State workforce agency serving the area of 
     intended employment shall commence the recruitment of United 
     States workers.
       ``(ii) Referral of united states workers.--The Secretary of 
     Labor and State workforce agency shall keep the job order 
     active until the end of the period described in subsection 
     (c)(2) and shall refer to the employer each United States 
     worker who applies for the job opportunity.
       ``(C) Review of information for deficiencies.--Within 7 
     business days of the approval of the job order, the Secretary 
     of Labor shall review the information necessary to make a 
     labor certification and notify the employer through the 
     electronic platform if such information does not meet the 
     standards for approval. Such notification shall include a 
     description of any deficiency, and the employer shall be 
     provided 5 business days to cure such deficiency.
       ``(D) Certification and authorization of workers.--Not 
     later than 30 days before the date that labor or services are 
     first required to be performed, the Secretary of Labor shall 
     issue the requested labor certification if the Secretary 
     determines that the requirements set forth in this section 
     have been met.

[[Page H1535]]

       ``(E) Expedited administrative appeals of certain 
     determinations.--The Secretary of Labor shall by regulation 
     establish a procedure for an employer to request the 
     expedited review of a denial of a labor certification under 
     this section, or the revocation of such a certification. Such 
     procedure shall require the Secretary to expeditiously, but 
     no later than 72 hours after expedited review is requested, 
     issue a de novo determination on a labor certification that 
     was denied in whole or in part because of the availability of 
     able, willing and qualified workers if the employer 
     demonstrates, consistent with subsection (c)(3)(B), that such 
     workers are not actually available at the time or place such 
     labor or services are required.
       ``(3) Petition decision.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 7 business days after the 
     Secretary of Labor issues the certification, the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall issue a decision on the petition and 
     shall transmit a notice of action to the petitioner via the 
     electronic platform.
       ``(B) Approval.--Upon approval of a petition under this 
     section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that 
     such approval is noted in the electronic platform and is 
     available to the Secretary of State and U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection, as necessary, to facilitate visa issuance 
     and admission.
       ``(C) Partial approval.--A petition for multiple named 
     beneficiaries may be partially approved with respect to 
     eligible beneficiaries notwithstanding the ineligibility, or 
     potential ineligibility, of one or more other beneficiaries.
       ``(D) Post-certification amendments.--The Secretary of 
     Labor shall provide a process for amending a request for 
     labor certification in conjunction with an H-2A petition, 
     subsequent to certification by the Secretary of Labor, in 
     cases in which the requested amendment does not materially 
     change the petition (including the job order).
       ``(4) Roles of agricultural associations.--
       ``(A) Member's violation does not necessarily disqualify 
     association or other members.--If an individual producer 
     member of a joint employer association is determined to have 
     committed an act that results in the denial of a petition 
     with respect to the member, the denial 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 of, or reason to know of, the violation.
       ``(B) Association's violation does not necessarily 
     disqualify members.--
       ``(i) If an association representing agricultural producers 
     as a joint employer is determined to have committed an act 
     that results in the denial of a petition with respect to the 
     association, the denial shall apply only to the association 
     and does not apply to any individual producer member of the 
     association unless the Secretary of Labor determines that the 
     member participated in, had knowledge of, or reason to know 
     of, the violation.
       ``(ii) If an association of agricultural producers 
     certified as a sole employer is determined to have committed 
     an act that results in the denial of a petition with respect 
     to the association, no individual producer member of such 
     association may be the beneficiary of the services of H-2A 
     workers in the commodity and occupation in which such aliens 
     were employed by the association which was denied during the 
     period such denial is in force, unless such producer member 
     employs such aliens in the commodity and occupation in 
     question directly or through an association which is a joint 
     employer of such workers with the producer member.
       ``(5) Special procedures.--The Secretary of Labor, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary 
     of Homeland Security, may by regulation establish alternate 
     procedures that reasonably modify program requirements under 
     this section, when the Secretary determines that such 
     modifications are required due to the unique nature of the 
     work involved.
       ``(6) Construction occupations.--An employer may not file a 
     petition under this section on behalf of a worker if the 
     majority of the worker's duties will fall within a 
     construction or extraction occupational classification.
       ``(i) Non-Temporary or -Seasonal Needs.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the requirement in 
     section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) that the agricultural labor or 
     services performed by an H-2A worker be of a temporary or 
     seasonal nature, the Secretary of Homeland Security may, 
     consistent with the provisions of this subsection, approve a 
     petition for an H-2A worker to perform agricultural services 
     or labor that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature.
       ``(2) Numerical limitations.--
       ``(A) First 3 fiscal years.--The total number of aliens who 
     may be issued visas or otherwise provided H-2A nonimmigrant 
     status under paragraph (1) for the first fiscal year during 
     which the first visa is issued under such paragraph and for 
     each of the following two fiscal years may not exceed 20,000.
       ``(B) Fiscal years 4 through 10.--
       ``(i) In general.--The total number of aliens who may be 
     issued visas or otherwise provided H-2A nonimmigrant status 
     under paragraph (1) for the first fiscal year following the 
     fiscal years referred to in subparagraph (A) and for each of 
     the following 6 fiscal years may not exceed a numerical 
     limitation jointly imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture 
     and Secretary of Labor in accordance with clause (ii).
       ``(ii) Annual adjustments.--For each fiscal year referred 
     to in clause (i), the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary 
     of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, shall establish a numerical limitation for purposes 
     of clause (i). Such numerical limitation may not be lower 
     20,000 and may not vary by more than 12.5 percent compared to 
     the numerical limitation applicable to the immediately 
     preceding fiscal year. In establishing such numerical 
     limitation, the Secretaries shall consider appropriate 
     factors, including--

       ``(I) a demonstrated shortage of agricultural workers;
       ``(II) the level of unemployment and underemployment of 
     agricultural workers during the preceding fiscal year;
       ``(III) the number of H-2A workers sought by employers 
     during the preceding fiscal year to engage in agricultural 
     labor or services not of a temporary or seasonal nature;
       ``(IV) the number of such H-2A workers issued a visa in the 
     most recent fiscal year who remain in the United States in 
     compliance with the terms of such visa;
       ``(V) the estimated number of United States workers, 
     including workers who obtained certified agricultural worker 
     status under title I of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act 
     of 2021, who worked during the preceding fiscal year in 
     agricultural labor or services not of a temporary or seasonal 
     nature;
       ``(VI) the number of such United States workers who 
     accepted jobs offered by employers using the online job 
     registry during the preceding fiscal year;
       ``(VII) any growth or contraction of the United States 
     agricultural industry that has increased or decreased the 
     demand for agricultural workers; and
       ``(VIII) any changes in the real wages paid to agricultural 
     workers in the United States as an indication of a shortage 
     or surplus of agricultural labor.

       ``(C) Subsequent fiscal years.--For each fiscal year 
     following the fiscal years referred to in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Labor shall 
     jointly determine, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, and after considering appropriate factors, 
     including those factors listed in subclauses (I) through 
     (VIII) of subparagraph (B)(ii), whether to establish a 
     numerical limitation for that fiscal year. If a numerical 
     limitation is so established--
       ``(i) such numerical limitation may not be lower than 
     highest number of aliens admitted under this subsection in 
     any of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the 
     fiscal year for which the numerical limitation is to be 
     established; and
       ``(ii) the total number of aliens who may be issued visas 
     or otherwise provided H-2A nonimmigrant status under 
     paragraph (1) for that fiscal year may not exceed such 
     numerical limitation.
       ``(D) Emergency procedures.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     and Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, shall jointly establish by regulation 
     procedures for immediately adjusting a numerical limitation 
     imposed under subparagraph (B) or (C) to account for 
     significant labor shortages.
       ``(3) Allocation of visas.--
       ``(A) Bi-annual allocation.--The annual allocation of visas 
     described in paragraph (2) shall be evenly allocated between 
     two halves of the fiscal year unless the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture and Secretary of Labor, determines that an 
     alternative allocation would better accommodate demand for 
     visas. Any unused visas in the first half of the fiscal year 
     shall be added to the allocation for the subsequent half of 
     the same fiscal year.
       ``(B) Reserve for dairy labor or services.--
       ``(i) In general.--Of the visa numbers made available in 
     each half of the fiscal year pursuant to subparagraph (A), 50 
     percent of such visas shall be reserved for employers filing 
     petitions seeking H-2A workers to engage in agricultural 
     labor or services in the dairy industry.
       ``(ii) Exception.--If, after 4 months have elapsed in one 
     half of the fiscal year, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     determines that application of clause (i) will result in 
     visas going unused during that half of the fiscal year, 
     clause (i) shall not apply to visas under this paragraph 
     during the remainder of such calendar half.
       ``(C) Limited allocation for certain special procedures 
     industries.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding the numerical 
     limitations under paragraph (2), up to 500 aliens may be 
     issued visas or otherwise provided H-2A nonimmigrant status 
     under paragraph (1) in a fiscal year for range sheep or goat 
     herding.
       ``(ii) Limitation.--The total number of aliens in the 
     United States in valid H-2A status under clause (i) at any 
     one time may not exceed 500.
       ``(iii) Clarification.--Any visas issued under this 
     subparagraph may not be considered for purposes of the annual 
     adjustments under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2).
       ``(4) Annual round trip home.--
       ``(A) In general.--In addition to the other requirements of 
     this section, an employer shall provide H-2A workers employed 
     under this subsection, at no cost to such workers, with 
     annual round trip travel, including transportation and 
     subsistence during travel, to their homes in their 
     communities of origin. The employer must provide such travel 
     within 14 months of the initiation of the worker's 
     employment, and no more than 14 months can elapse between 
     each required period of travel.
       ``(B) Limitation.--The cost of travel under subparagraph 
     (A) need not exceed 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 charges and subsistence costs for the distance 
     involved.
       ``(5) Family housing.--An employer seeking to employ an H-
     2A worker pursuant to this subsection shall offer family 
     housing to workers with families if such workers are engaged 
     in agricultural employment that is not of a seasonal or 
     temporary nature. The worker may reject such an offer. The 
     employer may not charge the

[[Page H1536]]

     worker for the worker's housing, except that if the worker 
     accepts family housing, a prorated rent based on the fair 
     market value for such housing may be charged for the worker's 
     family members.
       ``(6) Workplace safety plan for dairy employees.--
       ``(A) In general.--If an employer is seeking to employ a 
     worker in agricultural labor or services in the dairy 
     industry pursuant to this subsection, the employer must 
     report incidents consistent with the requirements under 
     section 1904.39 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
     maintain an effective worksite safety and compliance plan to 
     prevent workplace accidents and otherwise ensure safety. Such 
     plan shall--
       ``(i) be in writing in English and, to the extent 
     necessary, any language common to a significant portion of 
     the workers if they are not fluent in English; and
       ``(ii) be posted at a conspicuous location at the worksite 
     and provided to employees prior to the commencement of labor 
     or services.
       ``(B) Contents of plan.--The Secretary of Labor, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall 
     establish by regulation the minimum requirements for the plan 
     described in subparagraph (A). Such plan shall include 
     measures to--
       ``(i) require workers (other than the employer's family 
     members) whose positions require contact with animals to 
     complete animal care training, including animal handling and 
     job-specific animal care;
       ``(ii) protect against sexual harassment and violence, 
     resolve complaints involving harassment or violence, and 
     protect against retaliation against workers reporting 
     harassment or violence; and
       ``(iii) contain other provisions necessary for ensuring 
     workplace safety, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture.
       ``(C) Clarification.--Nothing in this paragraph is intended 
     to apply to persons or entities that are not seeking to 
     employ workers under this section. Nothing in this paragraph 
     is intended to limit any other Federal or State authority to 
     promulgate, enforce, or maintain health and safety standards 
     related to the dairy industry.
       ``(j) Eligibility for H-2A Status and Admission to the 
     United States.--
       ``(1) Disqualification.--An alien shall be ineligible for 
     admission to the United States as an H-2A worker pursuant to 
     a petition filed under this section if the alien was admitted 
     to the United States as an H-2A worker within the past 5 
     years of the date the petition was filed and--
       ``(A) violated a material provision of this section, 
     including the requirement to promptly depart the United 
     States when the alien's authorized period of admission has 
     expired, unless the alien has good cause for such failure to 
     depart; or
       ``(B) otherwise violated a term or condition of admission 
     into the United States as an H-2A worker.
       ``(2) Visa validity.--A visa issued to an H-2A worker shall 
     be valid for 3 years and shall allow for multiple entries 
     during the approved period of admission.
       ``(3) Period of authorized stay; admission.--
       ``(A) In general.--An alien admissible as an H-2A worker 
     shall be authorized to stay in the United States for the 
     period of employment specified in the petition approved by 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security under this section. The 
     maximum continuous period of authorized stay for an H-2A 
     worker is 36 months.
       ``(B) Requirement to remain outside the united states.--In 
     the case of an H-2A worker whose maximum continuous period of 
     authorized stay (including any extensions) has expired, the 
     alien may not again be eligible for such stay until the alien 
     remains outside the United States for a cumulative period of 
     at least 45 days.
       ``(C) Exceptions.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     deduct absences from the United States that take place during 
     an H-2A worker's period of authorized stay from the period 
     that the alien is required to remain outside the United 
     States under subparagraph (B), if the alien or the alien's 
     employer requests such a deduction, and provides clear and 
     convincing proof that the alien qualifies for such a 
     deduction. Such proof shall consist of evidence including, 
     but not limited to, arrival and departure records, copies of 
     tax returns, and records of employment abroad.
       ``(D) Admission.--In addition to the maximum continuous 
     period of authorized stay, an H-2A worker's authorized period 
     of admission shall include an additional period of 10 days 
     prior to the beginning of the period of employment for the 
     purpose of traveling to the place of employment and 45 days 
     at the end of the period of employment for the purpose of 
     traveling home or seeking an extension of status based on a 
     subsequent offer of employment if the worker has not reached 
     the maximum continuous period of authorized stay under 
     subparagraph (A) (subject to the exceptions in subparagraph 
     (C)).
       ``(4) Continuing h-2a workers.--
       ``(A) Successive employment.--An H-2A worker is authorized 
     to start new or concurrent employment upon the filing of a 
     nonfrivolous H-2A petition, or as of the requested start 
     date, whichever is later if--
       ``(i) the petition to start new or concurrent employment 
     was filed prior to the expiration of the H-2A worker's period 
     of admission as defined in paragraph (3)(D); and
       ``(ii) the H-2A worker has not been employed without 
     authorization in the United States from the time of last 
     admission to the United States in H-2A status through the 
     filing of the petition for new employment.
       ``(B) Protection due to immigrant visa backlogs.--
     Notwithstanding the limitations on the period of authorized 
     stay described in paragraph (3), any H-2A worker who--
       ``(i) is the beneficiary of an approved petition, filed 
     under section 204(a)(1)(E) or (F) for preference status under 
     section 203(b)(3)(A)(iii); and
       ``(ii) is eligible to be granted such status but for the 
     annual limitations on visas under section 203(b)(3)(A),

     may apply for, and the Secretary of Homeland Security may 
     grant, an extension of such nonimmigrant status until the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security issues a final administrative 
     decision on the alien's application for adjustment of status 
     or the Secretary of State issues a final decision on the 
     alien's application for an immigrant visa.
       ``(5) Abandonment of employment.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     an H-2A worker who abandons the employment which was the 
     basis for the worker's authorized stay, without good cause, 
     shall be considered to have failed to maintain H-2A status 
     and shall depart the United States or be subject to removal 
     under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i).
       ``(B) Grace period to secure new employment.--An H-2A 
     worker shall not be considered to have failed to maintain H-
     2A status solely on the basis of a cessation of the 
     employment on which the alien's classification was based for 
     a period of 45 consecutive days, or until the end of the 
     authorized validity period, whichever is shorter, once during 
     each authorized validity period.
       ``(k) Required Disclosures.--
       ``(1) Disclosure of work contract.--Not later than the time 
     the H-2A worker applies for a visa, the employer shall 
     provide the worker with a copy of the work contract that 
     includes the disclosures and rights under this section (or in 
     the absence of such a contract, a copy of the job order and 
     proof of the certification described in subparagraphs (B) and 
     (D) of subsection (h)(2)). An H-2A worker moving from one H-
     2A employer to a subsequent H-2A employer shall be provided 
     with a copy of the new employment contract no later than the 
     time an offer of employment is made by the subsequent 
     employer.
       ``(2) Hours and earnings statements.--The employer shall 
     furnish to H-2A workers, on or before each payday, in one or 
     more written statements--
       ``(A) the worker's total earnings for the pay period;
       ``(B) the worker's hourly rate of pay, piece rate of pay, 
     or both;
       ``(C) the hours of employment offered to the worker and the 
     hours of employment actually worked;
       ``(D) if piece rates of pay are used, the units produced 
     daily;
       ``(E) an itemization of the deductions made from the 
     worker's wages; and
       ``(F) any other information required by Federal, State or 
     local law.
       ``(3) Notice of worker rights.--The employer must post and 
     maintain in a conspicuous location at the place of 
     employment, a poster provided by the Secretary of Labor in 
     English, and, to the extent necessary, any language common to 
     a significant portion of the workers if they are not fluent 
     in English, which sets out the rights and protections for 
     workers employed pursuant to this section.
       ``(l) Labor Contractors; Foreign Labor Recruiters; 
     Prohibition on Fees.--
       ``(1) Labor contractors.--
       ``(A) Surety bond.--An employer that is a labor contractor 
     who seeks to employ H-2A workers shall maintain a surety bond 
     in an amount required under subparagraph (B). Such bond shall 
     be payable to the Secretary of Labor or pursuant to the 
     resolution of a civil or criminal proceeding, for the payment 
     of wages and benefits, including any assessment of interest, 
     owed to an H-2A worker or a similarly employed United States 
     worker, or a United States worker who has been rejected or 
     displaced in violation of this section.
       ``(B) Amount of bond.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
     annually publish in the Federal Register a schedule of 
     required bond amounts that are determined by such Secretary 
     to be sufficient for labor contractors to discharge financial 
     obligations under this section based on the number of workers 
     the labor contractor seeks to employ and the wages such 
     workers are required to be paid.
       ``(C) Premium bond.--A labor contractor seeking to file a 
     petition involving more than one start date under subsection 
     (h)(1)(C) shall maintain a surety bond that is at least 15 
     percent higher than the applicable bond amount determined by 
     the Secretary under subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Use of funds.--Any sums paid to the Secretary under 
     subparagraph (A) that are not paid to a worker because of the 
     inability to do so within a period of 5 years following the 
     date of a violation giving rise to the obligation to pay 
     shall remain available to the Secretary without further 
     appropriation until expended to support the enforcement of 
     this section.
       ``(2) Prohibition against employees paying fees.--Neither 
     the employer nor its agents shall seek or receive payment of 
     any kind from any worker for any activity related to the H-2A 
     process, including payment of the employer's attorneys' fees, 
     application fees, or recruitment costs. An employer and its 
     agents may receive reimbursement for costs that are the 
     responsibility and primarily for the benefit of the worker, 
     such as government-required passport fees.
       ``(3) Third party contracts.--The contract between an 
     employer and any labor contractor or any foreign labor 
     recruiter (or any agent of such labor contractor or foreign 
     labor recruiter) whom the employer engages shall include a 
     term providing for the termination of such contract

[[Page H1537]]

     for cause if the contractor or recruiter, either directly or 
     indirectly, in the placement or recruitment of H-2A workers 
     seeks or receives payments or other compensation from 
     prospective employees. Upon learning that a labor contractor 
     or foreign labor recruiter has sought or collected such 
     payments, the employer shall so terminate any contracts with 
     such contractor or recruiter.
       ``(m) Enforcement Authority.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor is authorized to 
     take such actions against employers, including imposing 
     appropriate penalties and seeking monetary and injunctive 
     relief and specific performance of contractual obligations, 
     as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the 
     requirements of this section and with the applicable terms 
     and conditions of employment.
       ``(2) Complaint process.--
       ``(A) Process.--The Secretary of Labor shall establish a 
     process for the receipt, investigation, and disposition of 
     complaints alleging failure of an employer to comply with the 
     requirements under this section and with the applicable terms 
     and conditions of employment.
       ``(B) Filing.--A complaint referred to in subparagraph (A) 
     may be filed not later than 2 years after the date of the 
     conduct that is the subject of the complaint.
       ``(C) Complaint not exclusive.--A complaint filed under 
     this paragraph is not an exclusive remedy and the filing of 
     such a complaint does not waive any rights or remedies of the 
     aggrieved party under this law or other laws.
       ``(D) Decision and remedies.--If the Secretary of Labor 
     finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that the 
     employer failed to comply with the requirements of this 
     section or the terms and conditions of employment, the 
     Secretary of Labor may require payment of unpaid wages, 
     unpaid benefits, fees assessed in violation of this section, 
     damages, and civil money penalties. The Secretary is also 
     authorized to impose other administrative remedies, including 
     disqualification of the employer from utilizing the H-2A 
     program for a period of up to 5 years in the event of willful 
     or multiple material violations. The Secretary is authorized 
     to permanently disqualify an employer from utilizing the H-2A 
     program upon a subsequent finding involving willful or 
     multiple material violations.
       ``(E) Disposition of penalties.--Civil penalties collected 
     under this paragraph shall be deposited into the H-2A Labor 
     Certification Fee Account established under section 203 of 
     the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021.
       ``(3) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
     may be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary 
     of Labor to conduct an investigation--
       ``(A) under any other law, including any law affecting 
     migrant and seasonal agricultural workers; or
       ``(B) in the absence of a complaint.
       ``(4) Retaliation prohibited.--It is a violation of this 
     subsection for any person to intimidate, threaten, restrain, 
     coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any other manner 
     discriminate against, or to cause any person to intimidate, 
     threaten, restrain, coerce, blacklist, or in any manner 
     discriminate against, an employee, including a former 
     employee or an applicant for employment, because the 
     employee--
       ``(A) has disclosed information to the employer, or to any 
     other person, that the employee reasonably believes evidences 
     a violation under this section, or any rule or regulation 
     relating to this section;
       ``(B) has filed a complaint concerning the employer's 
     compliance with the requirements under this section or any 
     rule or regulation pertaining to this section;
       ``(C) cooperates or seeks to cooperate in an investigation 
     or other proceeding concerning the employer's compliance with 
     the requirements under this section or any rule or regulation 
     pertaining to this section; or
       ``(D) has taken steps to exercise or assert any right or 
     protection under the provisions of this section, or any rule 
     or regulation pertaining to this section, or any other 
     relevant Federal, State, or local law.
       ``(5) Interagency communication.--The Secretary of Labor, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
     Secretary of State and the Equal Employment Opportunity 
     Commission, shall establish mechanisms by which the agencies 
     and their components share information, including by public 
     electronic means, regarding complaints, studies, 
     investigations, findings and remedies regarding compliance by 
     employers with the requirements of the H-2A program and other 
     employment-related laws and regulations.
       ``(n) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Displace.--The term `displace' means to lay off a 
     similarly employed United States worker, other than for 
     lawful job-related reasons, in the occupation and area of 
     intended employment for the job for which H-2A workers are 
     sought.
       ``(2) H-2A worker.--The term `H-2A worker' means a 
     nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).
       ``(3) Job order.--The term `job order' means the document 
     containing the material terms and conditions of employment, 
     including obligations and assurances required under this 
     section or any other law.
       ``(4) Online job registry.--The term `online job registry' 
     means the online job registry of the Secretary of Labor 
     required under section 201(b) of the Farm Workforce 
     Modernization Act of 2021 (or similar successor registry).
       ``(5) Similarly employed.--The term `similarly employed', 
     in the case of a worker, means a worker in the same 
     occupational classification as the classification or 
     classifications for which the H-2A worker is sought.
       ``(6) United states worker.--The term `United States 
     worker' means any worker who is--
       ``(A) a citizen or national of the United States;
       ``(B) an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent 
     residence, is admitted as a refugee under section 207, is 
     granted asylum under section 208, or is an immigrant 
     otherwise authorized to be employed in the United States;
       ``(C) an alien granted certified agricultural worker status 
     under title I of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 
     2021; or
       ``(D) an individual who is not an unauthorized alien (as 
     defined in section 274A(h)(3)) with respect to the employment 
     in which the worker is engaging.
       ``(o) Fees; Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) Fees.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     impose a fee to process petitions under this section. Such 
     fee shall be set at a level that is sufficient to recover the 
     reasonable costs of processing the petition, including the 
     reasonable costs of providing labor certification by the 
     Secretary of Labor.
       ``(B) Distribution.--Fees collected under subparagraph (A) 
     shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the 
     immigration examinations fee account in section 286(m), 
     except that the portion of fees assessed for the Secretary of 
     Labor shall be deposited into the H-2A Labor Certification 
     Fee Account established pursuant to section 203(c) of the 
     Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021.
       ``(2) Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as necessary for 
     the purposes of--
       ``(A) recruiting United States workers for labor or 
     services which might otherwise be performed by H-2A workers, 
     including by ensuring that State workforce agencies are 
     sufficiently funded to fulfill their functions under this 
     section;
       ``(B) enabling the Secretary of Labor to make 
     determinations and certifications under this section and 
     under section 212(a)(5)(A)(i);
       ``(C) monitoring the terms and conditions under which H-2A 
     workers (and United States workers employed by the same 
     employers) are employed in the United States; and
       ``(D) enabling the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out 
     the Secretary of Agriculture's duties and responsibilities 
     under this section.''.

     SEC. 203. AGENCY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

       (a) Responsibilities of the Secretary of Labor.--With 
     respect to the administration of the H-2A program, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall be responsible for--
       (1) consulting with State workforce agencies to--
       (A) review and process job orders;
       (B) facilitate the recruitment and referral of able, 
     willing and qualified United States workers who will be 
     available at the time and place needed;
       (C) determine prevailing wages and practices; and
       (D) conduct timely inspections to ensure compliance with 
     applicable Federal, State, or local housing standards and 
     Federal regulations for H-2A housing;
       (2) determining whether the employer has met the conditions 
     for approval of the H-2A petition described in section 218 of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188);
       (3) determining, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, whether a job opportunity is of a seasonal or 
     temporary nature;
       (4) determining whether the employer has complied or will 
     comply with the H-2A program requirements set forth in 
     section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1188);
       (5) processing and investigating complaints consistent with 
     section 218(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1188(m));
       (6) referring any matter as appropriate to the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Labor for investigation;
       (7) ensuring that guidance to State workforce agencies to 
     conduct wage surveys is regularly updated; and
       (8) issuing such rules and regulations as are necessary to 
     carry out the Secretary of Labor's responsibilities under 
     this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
       (b) Responsibilities of the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security.--With respect to the administration of the H-2A 
     program, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall be 
     responsible for--
       (1) adjudicating petitions for the admission of H-2A 
     workers, which shall include an assessment as to whether each 
     beneficiary will be employed in accordance with the terms and 
     conditions of the certification and whether any named 
     beneficiaries qualify for such employment;
       (2) transmitting a copy of the final decision on the 
     petition to the employer, and in the case of approved 
     petitions, ensuring that the petition approval is reflected 
     in the electronic platform to facilitate the prompt issuance 
     of a visa by the Department of State (if required) and the 
     admission of the H-2A workers to the United States;
       (3) establishing a reliable and secure method through which 
     H-2A workers can access information about their H-2A visa 
     status, including information on pending, approved, or denied 
     petitions to extend such status;
       (4) investigating and preventing fraud in the program, 
     including the utilization of H-2A workers for other than 
     allowable agricultural labor or services; and
       (5) issuing such rules and regulations as are necessary to 
     carry out the Secretary of Homeland Security's 
     responsibilities under this Act and the amendments made by 
     this Act.
       (c) Establishment of Account and Use of Funds.--
       (1) Establishment of account.--There is established in the 
     general fund of the Treasury a separate account, which shall 
     be known as the ``H-2A Labor Certification Fee Account''. 
     Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, there

[[Page H1538]]

     shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account 
     all amounts--
       (A) collected as a civil penalty under section 218(m)(2)(E) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act; and
       (B) collected as a fee under section 218(o)(1)(B) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act.
       (2) Use of fees.--Amounts deposited into the H-2A Labor 
     Certification Fee Account shall be available (except as 
     otherwise provided in this paragraph) without fiscal year 
     limitation and without the requirement for specification in 
     appropriations Acts to the Secretary of Labor for use, 
     directly or through grants, contracts, or other arrangements, 
     in such amounts as the Secretary of Labor determines are 
     necessary for the costs of Federal and State administration 
     in carrying out activities in connection with labor 
     certification under section 218 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act. Such costs may include personnel salaries 
     and benefits, equipment and infrastructure for adjudication 
     and customer service processes, the operation and maintenance 
     of an on-line job registry, and program integrity activities. 
     The Secretary, in determining what amounts to transfer to 
     States for State administration in carrying out activities in 
     connection with labor certification under section 218 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act shall consider the number of 
     H-2A workers employed in that State and shall adjust the 
     amount transferred to that State accordingly. In addition, 10 
     percent of the amounts deposited into the H-2A Labor 
     Certification Fee Account shall be available to the Office of 
     Inspector General of the Department of Labor to conduct 
     audits and criminal investigations relating to such foreign 
     labor certification programs.
       (3) Additional funds.--Amounts available under paragraph 
     (1) shall be available in addition to any other funds 
     appropriated or made available to the Department of Labor 
     under other laws, including section 218(o)(2) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act.

     SEC. 204. WORKER PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE.

       (a) Equality of Treatment.--H-2A workers shall not be 
     denied any right or remedy under any Federal, State, or local 
     labor or employment law applicable to United States workers 
     engaged in agricultural employment.
       (b) Applicability of Other Laws.--
       (1) Migrant and seasonal agricultural worker protection 
     act.--H-2A workers shall be considered migrant agricultural 
     workers for purposes of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural 
     Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
       (2) Waiver of rights prohibited.--Agreements by H-2A 
     workers to waive or modify any rights or protections under 
     this Act or section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1188) shall be considered void or contrary to 
     public policy except as provided in a collective bargaining 
     agreement with a bona fide labor organization.
       (3) Mediation.--
       (A) Free mediation services.--The Federal Mediation and 
     Conciliation Service shall be available to assist in 
     resolving disputes arising under this section between H-2A 
     workers and agricultural employers without charge to the 
     parties.
       (B) Complaint.--If an H-2A worker files a civil lawsuit 
     alleging one or more violations of section 218 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188), the Fair 
     Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), or the 
     Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 
     U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), not later than 60 days after the filing 
     of proof of service of the complaint, a party to the lawsuit 
     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.
       (C) Notice.--Upon filing a request under subparagraph (B) 
     and giving of notice to the parties, the parties shall 
     attempt mediation within the period specified in subparagraph 
     (D), except that nothing in this paragraph shall limit the 
     ability of a court to order preliminary injunctive relief to 
     protect health and safety or to otherwise prevent irreparable 
     harm.
       (D) 90-day limit.--The Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
     Service may conduct mediation or other nonbinding dispute 
     resolution activities for a period not to exceed 90 days 
     beginning on the date on which the Federal Mediation and 
     Conciliation Service receives a request for assistance under 
     subparagraph (B) unless the parties agree to an extension of 
     such period.
       (E) Authorization of appropriations.--
       (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), there is 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Mediation and 
     Conciliation Service, such sums as may be necessary for each 
     fiscal year to carry out this subparagraph.
       (ii) Mediation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
     Service is authorized--

       (I) to conduct the mediation or other dispute resolution 
     activities from any other account containing amounts 
     available to the Director; and
       (II) to reimburse such account with amounts appropriated 
     pursuant to clause (i).

       (F) Private mediation.--If all parties agree, a private 
     mediator may be employed as an alternative to the Federal 
     Mediation and Conciliation Service.
       (c) Farm Labor Contractor Requirements.--
       (1) Surety bonds.--
       (A) Requirement.--Section 101 of the Migrant and Seasonal 
     Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1811), is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) A farm labor contractor shall maintain a surety bond 
     in an amount determined by the Secretary to be sufficient for 
     ensuring the ability of the farm labor contractor to 
     discharge its financial obligations, including payment of 
     wages and benefits to employees. Such a bond shall be 
     available to satisfy any amounts ordered to be paid by the 
     Secretary or by court order for failure to comply with the 
     obligations of this Act. The Secretary of Labor shall 
     annually publish in the Federal Register a schedule of 
     required bond amounts that are determined by such Secretary 
     to be sufficient for farm labor contractors to discharge 
     financial obligations based on the number of workers to be 
     covered.''.
       (B) Registration determinations.--Section 103(a) of the 
     Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 
     U.S.C. 1813(a)), is amended--
       (i) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (ii) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (iii) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``;'' ; and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) has failed to maintain a surety bond in compliance 
     with section 101(e); or
       ``(8) has been disqualified by the Secretary of Labor from 
     importing nonimmigrants described in section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.''.
       (2) Successors in interest.--
       (A) Declaration.--Section 102 of the Migrant and Seasonal 
     Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1812), is 
     amended--
       (i) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) a declaration, subscribed and sworn to by the 
     applicant, stating whether the applicant has a familial, 
     contractual, or employment relationship with, or shares 
     vehicles, facilities, property, or employees with, a person 
     who has been refused issuance or renewal of a certificate, or 
     has had a certificate suspended or revoked, pursuant to 
     section 103.''.
       (B) Rebuttable presumption.--Section 103 of the Migrant and 
     Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1813), 
     as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after 
     subsection (a) the following new subsection (and by 
     redesignating the subsequent subsections accordingly):
       ``(b)(1) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that an 
     applicant for issuance or renewal of a certificate is not the 
     real party in interest in the application if the applicant--
       ``(A) is the immediate family member of any person who has 
     been refused issuance or renewal of a certificate, or has had 
     a certificate suspended or revoked; and
       ``(B) identifies a vehicle, facility, or real property 
     under paragraph (2) or (3) of section 102 that has been 
     previously listed by a person who has been refused issuance 
     or renewal of a certificate, or has had a certificate 
     suspended or revoked.
       ``(2) An applicant described in paragraph (1) bears the 
     burden of demonstrating to the Secretary's satisfaction that 
     the applicant is the real party in interest in the 
     application.''.

     SEC. 205. REPORT ON WAGE PROTECTIONS.

       (a) Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of 
     Labor and Secretary of Agriculture shall prepare and transmit 
     to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives and Senate, a report that addresses--
       (1) whether, and the manner in which, the employment of H-
     2A workers in the United States has impacted the wages, 
     working conditions, or job opportunities of United States 
     farm workers;
       (2) whether, and the manner in which, the adverse effect 
     wage rate increases or decreases wages on United States 
     farms, broken down by geographic region and farm size;
       (3) whether any potential impact of the adverse effect wage 
     rate varies based on the percentage of workers in a 
     geographic region that are H-2A workers;
       (4) the degree to which the adverse effect wage rate is 
     affected by the inclusion in wage surveys of piece rate 
     compensation, bonus payments, and other pay incentives, and 
     whether such forms of incentive compensation should be 
     surveyed and reported separately from hourly base rates;
       (5) whether, and the manner in which, other factors may 
     artificially affect the adverse effect wage rate, including 
     factors that may be specific to a region, State, or region 
     within a State;
       (6) whether, and the manner in which, the H-2A program 
     affects the ability of United States farms to compete with 
     agricultural commodities imported from outside the United 
     States;
       (7) the number and percentage of farmworkers in the United 
     States whose incomes are below the poverty line;
       (8) whether alternative wage standards 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 the H-2A program;
       (9) whether any changes are warranted in the current 
     methodologies for calculating the adverse effect wage rate 
     and the prevailing wage; and
       (10) recommendations for future wage protection under this 
     section.
       (b) In preparing the report described in subsection (a), 
     the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     engage with equal numbers of representatives of agricultural 
     employers and agricultural workers, both locally and 
     nationally.

     SEC. 206. PORTABLE H-2A VISA PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and 
     Secretary of

[[Page H1539]]

     Agriculture, shall establish through regulation a 6-year 
     pilot program to facilitate the free movement and employment 
     of temporary or seasonal H-2A workers to perform agricultural 
     labor or services for agricultural employers registered with 
     the Secretary of Agriculture. Notwithstanding the 
     requirements of section 218 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act, such regulation shall establish the 
     requirements for the pilot program, consistent with 
     subsection (b). For purposes of this section, such a worker 
     shall be referred to as a portable H-2A worker, and status as 
     such a worker shall be referred to as portable H-2A status.
       (2) Online platform.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, shall maintain an online electronic platform 
     to connect portable H-2A workers with registered agricultural 
     employers seeking workers to perform temporary or seasonal 
     agricultural labor or services. Employers shall post on the 
     platform available job opportunities, including a description 
     of the nature and location of the work to be performed, the 
     anticipated period or periods of need, and the terms and 
     conditions of employment. Such platform shall allow portable 
     H-2A workers to search for available job opportunities using 
     relevant criteria, including the types of jobs needed to be 
     filled and the dates and locations of need.
       (3) Limitation.--Notwithstanding the issuance of the 
     regulation described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State 
     may not issue a portable H-2A visa and the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security may not confer portable H-2A status on any 
     alien until the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of 
     Agriculture, has determined that a sufficient number of 
     employers have been designated as registered agricultural 
     employers under subsection (b)(1) and that such employers 
     have sufficient job opportunities to employ a reasonable 
     number of portable H-2A workers to initiate the pilot 
     program.
       (b) Pilot Program Elements.--The pilot program in 
     subsection (a) shall contain the following elements:
       (1) Registered agricultural employers.--
       (A) Designation.--Agricultural employers shall be provided 
     the ability to seek designation as registered agricultural 
     employers. Reasonable fees may be assessed commensurate with 
     the cost of processing applications for designation. A 
     designation shall be valid for a period of up to 3 years 
     unless revoked for failure to comply with program 
     requirements. Registered employers that comply with program 
     requirements may apply to renew such designation for 
     additional periods of up to 3 years for the duration of the 
     pilot program.
       (B) Limitations.--Registered agricultural employers may 
     employ aliens with portable H-2A status without filing a 
     petition. Such employers shall pay such aliens at least the 
     wage required under section 218(d) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188(d)).
       (C) Workers' compensation.--If a job opportunity is not 
     covered by or is exempt from the State workers' compensation 
     law, a registered agricultural employer shall 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.
       (2) Designated workers.--
       (A) In general.--Individuals who have been previously 
     admitted to the United States in H-2A status, and maintained 
     such status during the period of admission, shall be provided 
     the opportunity to apply for portable H-2A status. Portable 
     H-2A workers shall be subject to the provisions on visa 
     validity and periods of authorized stay and admission for H-
     2A workers described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 
     218(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1188(j)(2) and (3)).
       (B) Limitations on availability of portable h-2a status.--
       (i) Initial offer of employment required.--No alien may be 
     granted portable H-2A status without an initial valid offer 
     of employment to perform temporary or agricultural labor or 
     services from a registered agricultural employer.
       (ii) Numerical limitations.--The total number of aliens who 
     may hold valid portable H-2A status at any one time may not 
     exceed 10,000. Notwithstanding such limitation, the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security may further limit the number of aliens 
     with valid portable H-2A status if the Secretary determines 
     that there are an insufficient number of registered 
     agricultural employers or job opportunities to support the 
     employment of all such portable H-2A workers.
       (C) Scope of employment.--During the period of admission, a 
     portable H-2A worker may perform temporary or seasonal 
     agricultural labor or services for any employer in the United 
     States that is designated as a registered agricultural 
     employer pursuant to paragraph (1). An employment arrangement 
     under this section may be terminated by either the portable 
     H-2A worker or the registered agricultural employer at any 
     time.
       (D) Transfer to new employment.--At the cessation of 
     employment with a registered agricultural employer, a 
     portable H-2A worker shall have 60 days to secure new 
     employment with a registered agricultural employer.
       (E) Maintenance of status.--A portable H-2A worker who does 
     not secure new employment with a registered agricultural 
     employer within 60 days shall be considered to have failed to 
     maintain such status and shall depart the United States or be 
     subject to removal under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188(a)(1)(C)(i)).
       (3) Enforcement.--The Secretary of Labor shall be 
     responsible for conducting investigations and random audits 
     of employers to ensure compliance with the employment-related 
     requirements of this section, consistent with section 218(m) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188(m)). 
     The Secretary of Labor shall have the authority to collect 
     reasonable civil penalties for violations, which shall be 
     utilized by the Secretary for the administration and 
     enforcement of the provisions of this section.
       (4) Eligibility for services.--Section 305 of Public Law 
     99-603 (100 Stat. 3434) is amended by striking ``other 
     employment rights as provided in the worker's specific 
     contract under which the nonimmigrant was admitted'' and 
     inserting ``employment-related rights''.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 6 months before the end of the 
     third fiscal year of the pilot program, the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Labor and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall prepare and 
     submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, a report that provides--
       (1) the number of employers designated as registered 
     agricultural employers, broken down by geographic region, 
     farm size, and the number of job opportunities offered by 
     such employers;
       (2) the number of employers whose designation as a 
     registered agricultural employer was revoked;
       (3) the number of individuals granted portable H-2A status 
     in each fiscal year, along with the number of such 
     individuals who maintained portable H-2A status during all or 
     a portion of the 3-year period of the pilot program;
       (4) an assessment of the impact of the pilot program on the 
     wages and working conditions of United States farm workers;
       (5) the results of a survey of individuals granted portable 
     H-2A status, detailing their experiences with and feedback on 
     the pilot program;
       (6) the results of a survey of registered agricultural 
     employers, detailing their experiences with and feedback on 
     the pilot program;
       (7) an assessment as to whether the program should be 
     continued and if so, any recommendations for improving the 
     program; and
       (8) findings and recommendations regarding effective 
     recruitment mechanisms, including use of new technology to 
     match workers with employers and ensure compliance with 
     applicable labor and employment laws and regulations.

     SEC. 207. IMPROVING ACCESS TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

       (a) Worldwide Level.--Section 201(d)(1)(A) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(d)(1)(A)) is 
     amended by striking ``140,000'' and inserting ``180,000''.
       (b) Visas for Farmworkers.--Section 203(b) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``28.6 percent of such 
     worldwide level'' and inserting ``40,040'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking ``28.6 percent of such 
     worldwide level'' and inserting ``40,040'';
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in the matter before clause (i), by striking ``28.6 
     percent of such worldwide level'' and inserting ``80,040''; 
     and
       (ii) by amending clause (iii) to read as follows:
       ``(iii) Other workers.--Other qualified immigrants who, at 
     the time of petitioning for classification under this 
     paragraph--

       ``(I) are capable of performing unskilled labor, not of a 
     temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are 
     not available in the United States; or
       ``(II) can demonstrate employment in the United States as 
     an H-2A nonimmigrant worker for at least 100 days in each of 
     at least 10 years.'';

       (B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) Visas allocated for other workers.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clauses (ii) and 
     (iii), 50,000 of the visas made available under this 
     paragraph shall be reserved for qualified immigrants 
     described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
       ``(ii) Preference for agricultural workers.--Subject to 
     clause (iii), not less than four-fifths of the visas 
     described in clause (i) shall be reserved for--

       ``(I) qualified immigrants described in subparagraph 
     (A)(iii)(I) who will be performing agricultural labor or 
     services in the United States; and
       ``(II) qualified immigrants described in subparagraph 
     (A)(iii)(II).

       ``(iii) Exception.--If because of the application of clause 
     (ii), the total number of visas available under this 
     paragraph for a calendar quarter exceeds the number of 
     qualified immigrants who otherwise may be issued such a visa, 
     clause (ii) shall not apply to visas under this paragraph 
     during the remainder of such calendar quarter.
       ``(iv) No per country limits.--Visas described under clause 
     (ii) shall be issued without regard to the numerical 
     limitation under section 202(a)(2).''; and
       (C) by amending subparagraph (C) by striking ``An immigrant 
     visa'' and inserting ``Except for qualified immigrants 
     petitioning for classification under subparagraph 
     (A)(iii)(II), an immigrant visa'';
       (4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``7.1 percent of such 
     worldwide level'' and inserting ``9,940''; and
       (5) in paragraph (5)(A), in the matter before clause (i), 
     by striking ``7.1 percent of such worldwide level'' and 
     inserting ``9,940''.
       (c) Petitioning Procedure.--Section 204(a)(1)(E) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(E)) is 
     amended by inserting ``or 203(b)(3)(A)(iii)(II)'' after 
     ``203(b)(1)(A)''.
       (d) Dual Intent.--Section 214(b) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(b)) is

[[Page H1540]]

     amended by striking ``section 101(a)(15)(H)(i) except 
     subclause (b1) of such section'' and inserting ``clause (i), 
     except subclause (b1), or (ii)(a) of section 101(a)(15)(H)''.

    Subtitle B--Preservation and Construction of Farmworker Housing

     SEC. 220. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Strategy and Investment 
     in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 221. PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT OF HOUSING PRESERVATION AND 
                   REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.

       Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 545. HOUSING PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
     program under this section for the preservation and 
     revitalization of multifamily rental housing projects 
     financed under section 515 or both sections 514 and 516.
       ``(b) Notice of Maturing Loans.--
       ``(1) To owners.--On an annual basis, the Secretary shall 
     provide written notice to each owner of a property financed 
     under section 515 or both sections 514 and 516 that will 
     mature within the 4-year period beginning upon the provision 
     of such notice, setting forth the options and financial 
     incentives that are available to facilitate the extension of 
     the loan term or the option to decouple a rental assistance 
     contract pursuant to subsection (f).
       ``(2) To tenants.--
       ``(A) In general.--For each property financed under section 
     515 or both sections 514 and 516, not later than the date 
     that is 2 years before the date that such loan will mature, 
     the Secretary shall provide written notice to each household 
     residing in such property that informs them of the date of 
     the loan maturity, the possible actions that may happen with 
     respect to the property upon such maturity, and how to 
     protect their right to reside in Federally assisted housing 
     after such maturity.
       ``(B) Language.--Notice under this paragraph shall be 
     provided in plain English and shall be translated to other 
     languages in the case of any property located in an area in 
     which a significant number of residents speak such other 
     languages.
       ``(c) Loan Restructuring.--Under the program under this 
     section, the Secretary may restructure such existing housing 
     loans, as the Secretary considers appropriate, for the 
     purpose of ensuring that such projects have sufficient 
     resources to preserve the projects to provide safe and 
     affordable housing for low-income residents and farm 
     laborers, by--
       ``(1) reducing or eliminating interest;
       ``(2) deferring loan payments;
       ``(3) subordinating, reducing, or reamortizing loan debt; 
     and
       ``(4) providing other financial assistance, including 
     advances, payments, and incentives (including the ability of 
     owners to obtain reasonable returns on investment) required 
     by the Secretary.
       ``(d) Renewal of Rental Assistance.--When the Secretary 
     offers to restructure a loan pursuant to subsection (c), the 
     Secretary shall offer to renew the rental assistance contract 
     under section 521(a)(2) for a 20-year term that is subject to 
     annual appropriations, provided that the owner agrees to 
     bring the property up to such standards that will ensure its 
     maintenance as decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the 
     full term of the rental assistance contract.
       ``(e) Restrictive Use Agreements.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--As part of the preservation and 
     revitalization agreement for a project, the Secretary shall 
     obtain a restrictive use agreement that obligates the owner 
     to operate the project in accordance with this title.
       ``(2) Term.--
       ``(A) No extension of rental assistance contract.--Except 
     when the Secretary enters into a 20-year extension of the 
     rental assistance contract for the project, the term of the 
     restrictive use agreement for the project shall be consistent 
     with the term of the restructured loan for the project.
       ``(B) Extension of rental assistance contract.--If the 
     Secretary enters into a 20-year extension of the rental 
     assistance contract for a project, the term of the 
     restrictive use agreement for the project shall be for 20 
     years.
       ``(C) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate the 20-year 
     use restrictive use agreement for a project prior to the end 
     of its term if the 20-year rental assistance contract for the 
     project with the owner is terminated at any time for reasons 
     outside the owner's control.
       ``(f) Decoupling of Rental Assistance.--
       ``(1) Renewal of rental assistance contract.--If the 
     Secretary determines that a maturing loan for a project 
     cannot reasonably be restructured in accordance with 
     subsection (c) and the project was operating with rental 
     assistance under section 521, the Secretary may renew the 
     rental assistance contract, notwithstanding any provision of 
     section 521, for a term, subject to annual appropriations, of 
     at least 10 years but not more than 20 years.
       ``(2) Rents.--Any agreement to extend the term of the 
     rental assistance contract under section 521 for a project 
     shall obligate the owner to continue to maintain the project 
     as decent, safe and sanitary housing and to operate the 
     development in accordance with this title, except that rents 
     shall be based on the lesser of--
       ``(A) the budget-based needs of the project; or
       ``(B) the operating cost adjustment factor as a payment 
     standard as provided under section 524 of the Multifamily 
     Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437 note).
       ``(g) Multifamily Housing Transfer Technical Assistance.--
     Under the program under this section, the Secretary may 
     provide grants to qualified non-profit organizations and 
     public housing agencies to provide technical assistance, 
     including financial and legal services, to borrowers under 
     loans under this title for multifamily housing to facilitate 
     the acquisition of such multifamily housing properties in 
     areas where the Secretary determines there is a risk of loss 
     of affordable housing.
       ``(h) Transfer of Rental Assistance.--After the loan or 
     loans for a rental project originally financed under section 
     515 or both sections 514 and 516 have matured or have been 
     prepaid and the owner has chosen not to restructure the loan 
     pursuant to subsection (c), a tenant residing in such project 
     shall have 18 months prior to loan maturation or prepayment 
     to transfer the rental assistance assigned to the tenant's 
     unit to another rental project originally financed under 
     section 515 or both sections 514 and 516, and the owner of 
     the initial project may rent the tenant's previous unit to a 
     new tenant without income restrictions.
       ``(i) Administrative Expenses.--Of any amounts made 
     available for the program under this section for any fiscal 
     year, the Secretary may use not more than $1,000,000 for 
     administrative expenses for carrying out such program.
       ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for the program under this section 
     $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.

     SEC. 222. ELIGIBILITY FOR RURAL HOUSING VOUCHERS.

       Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Eligibility of Households in Sections 514, 515, and 
     516 Projects.--The Secretary may provide rural housing 
     vouchers under this section for any low-income household 
     (including those not receiving rental assistance) residing, 
     for a term longer than the remaining term of their lease in 
     effect just prior to prepayment, in a property financed with 
     a loan made or insured under section 514 or 515 (42 U.S.C. 
     1484, 1485) which has been prepaid without restrictions 
     imposed by the Secretary pursuant to section 
     502(c)(5)(G)(ii)(I) (42 U.S.C. 1472(c)(5)(G)(ii)(I)), has 
     been foreclosed, or has matured after September 30, 2005, or 
     residing in a property assisted under section 514 or 516 that 
     is owned by a nonprofit organization or public agency.''.

     SEC. 223. AMOUNT OF VOUCHER ASSISTANCE.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of 
     any rural housing voucher provided pursuant to section 542 of 
     the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r), the amount of the 
     monthly assistance payment for the household on whose behalf 
     such assistance is provided shall be determined as provided 
     in subsection (a) of such section 542.

     SEC. 224. RENTAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT AUTHORITY.

       Subsection (d) of section 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 
     (42 U.S.C. 1490a(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
     the following new subparagraph (and by redesignating the 
     subsequent subparagraphs accordingly):
       ``(B) upon request of an owner of a project financed under 
     section 514 or 515, the Secretary is authorized to enter into 
     renewal of such agreements for a period of 20 years or the 
     term of the loan, whichever is shorter, subject to amounts 
     made available in appropriations Acts;''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) In the case of any rental assistance contract 
     authority that becomes available because of the termination 
     of assistance on behalf of an assisted family--
       ``(A) at the option of the owner of the rental project, the 
     Secretary shall provide the owner a period of 6 months before 
     such assistance is made available pursuant to subparagraph 
     (B) during which the owner may use such assistance authority 
     to provide assistance of behalf of an eligible unassisted 
     family that--
       ``(i) is residing in the same rental project that the 
     assisted family resided in prior to such termination; or
       ``(ii) newly occupies a dwelling unit in such rental 
     project during such period; and
       ``(B) except for assistance used as provided in 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use such remaining 
     authority to provide such assistance on behalf of eligible 
     families residing in other rental projects originally 
     financed under section 515 or both sections 514 and 516 of 
     this Act.''.

     SEC. 225. FUNDING FOR MULTIFAMILY TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Agriculture $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 for improving 
     the technology of the Department of Agriculture used to 
     process loans for multifamily housing and otherwise managing 
     such housing. Such improvements shall be made within the 5-
     year period beginning upon the appropriation of such amounts 
     and such amount shall remain available until the expiration 
     of such 5-year period.

     SEC. 226. PLAN FOR PRESERVING AFFORDABILITY OF RENTAL 
                   PROJECTS.

       (a) Plan.--The Secretary of Agriculture (in this section 
     referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall submit a written plan 
     to the Congress, not later than the expiration of the 6-month 
     period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     for preserving the affordability for low-income families of 
     rental projects for which loans were made under section 515 
     or made to nonprofit or public agencies under section 514 and 
     avoiding the displacement of tenant households, which shall--
       (1) set forth specific performance goals and measures;
       (2) set forth the specific actions and mechanisms by which 
     such goals will be achieved;
       (3) set forth specific measurements by which progress 
     towards achievement of each goal can be measured;
       (4) provide for detailed reporting on outcomes; and

[[Page H1541]]

       (5) include any legislative recommendations to assist in 
     achievement of the goals under the plan.
       (b) Advisory Committee.--
       (1) Establishment; purpose.--The Secretary shall establish 
     an advisory committee whose purpose shall be to assist the 
     Secretary in preserving section 515 properties and section 
     514 properties owned by nonprofit or public agencies through 
     the multifamily housing preservation and revitalization 
     program under section 545 and in implementing the plan 
     required under subsection (a).
       (2) Member.--The advisory committee shall consist of 16 
     members, appointed by the Secretary, as follows:
       (A) A State Director of Rural Development for the 
     Department of Agriculture.
       (B) The Administrator for Rural Housing Service of the 
     Department of Agriculture.
       (C) Two representatives of for-profit developers or owners 
     of multifamily rural rental housing.
       (D) Two representatives of non-profit developers or owners 
     of multifamily rural rental housing.
       (E) Two representatives of State housing finance agencies.
       (F) Two representatives of tenants of multifamily rural 
     rental housing.
       (G) One representative of a community development financial 
     institution that is involved in preserving the affordability 
     of housing assisted under sections 514, 515, and 516 of the 
     Housing Act of 1949.
       (H) One representative of a nonprofit organization that 
     operates nationally and has actively participated in the 
     preservation of housing assisted by the Rural Housing Service 
     by conducting research regarding, and providing financing and 
     technical assistance for, preserving the affordability of 
     such housing.
       (I) One representative of low-income housing tax credit 
     investors.
       (J) One representative of regulated financial institutions 
     that finance affordable multifamily rural rental housing 
     developments.
       (K) Two representatives from non-profit organizations 
     representing farmworkers, including one organization 
     representing farmworker women.
       (3) Meetings.--The advisory committee shall meet not less 
     often than once each calendar quarter.
       (4) Functions.--In providing assistance to the Secretary to 
     carry out its purpose, the advisory committee shall carry out 
     the following functions:
       (A) Assisting the Rural Housing Service of the Department 
     of Agriculture to improve estimates of the size, scope, and 
     condition of rental housing portfolio of the Service, 
     including the time frames for maturity of mortgages and costs 
     for preserving the portfolio as affordable housing.
       (B) Reviewing current policies and procedures of the Rural 
     Housing Service regarding preservation of affordable rental 
     housing financed under sections 514, 515, 516, and 538 of the 
     Housing Act of 1949, the Multifamily Preservation and 
     Revitalization Demonstration program (MPR), and the rental 
     assistance program and making recommendations regarding 
     improvements and modifications to such policies and 
     procedures.
       (C) Providing ongoing review of Rural Housing Service 
     program results.
       (D) Providing reports to the Congress and the public on 
     meetings, recommendations, and other findings of the advisory 
     committee.
       (5) Travel costs.--Any amounts made available for 
     administrative costs of the Department of Agriculture may be 
     used for costs of travel by members of the advisory committee 
     to meetings of the committee.

     SEC. 227. COVERED HOUSING PROGRAMS.

       Paragraph (3) of section 41411(a) of the Violence Against 
     Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491(a)(3)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(J) rural development housing voucher assistance provided 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to section 542 of 
     the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r), without regard to 
     subsection (b) of such section, and applicable appropriation 
     Acts; and''.

     SEC. 228. NEW FARMWORKER HOUSING.

       Section 513 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1483) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f) Funding for Farmworker Housing.--
       ``(1) Section 514 farmworker housing loans.--
       ``(A) Insurance authority.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     may, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, insure 
     loans under section 514 (42 U.S.C. 1484) during each of 
     fiscal years 2022 through 2031 in an aggregate amount not to 
     exceed $200,000,000.
       ``(B) Authorization of appropriations for costs.--There is 
     authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2022 through 2031 for costs (as such term is defined in 
     section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 
     661a)) of loans insured pursuant the authority under 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Section 516 grants for farmworker housing.--There is 
     authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2022 through 2031 for financial assistance under 
     section 516 (42 U.S.C. 1486).
       ``(3) Section 521 housing assistance.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $2,700,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2022 through 2031 for rental assistance agreements entered 
     into or renewed pursuant to section 521(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 
     1490a(a)(2)) or agreements entered into in lieu of debt 
     forgiveness or payments for eligible households as authorized 
     by section 502(c)(5)(D).''.

     SEC. 229. LOAN AND GRANT LIMITATIONS.

       Section 514 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Per Project Limitations on Assistance.--If the 
     Secretary, in making available assistance in any area under 
     this section or section 516 (42 U.S.C. 1486), establishes a 
     limitation on the amount of assistance available per project, 
     the limitation on a grant or loan award per project shall not 
     be less than $5 million.''.

     SEC. 230. OPERATING ASSISTANCE SUBSIDIES.

       Subsection (a)(5) of section 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 
     (42 U.S.C. 1490a(a)(5)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``or domestic farm 
     labor legally admitted to the United States and authorized to 
     work in agriculture'' after ``migrant farmworkers'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``Amount.--In any fiscal year'' and 
     inserting ``Amount.--
       ``(i) Housing for migrant farmworkers.--In any fiscal 
     year'';
       (B) by inserting ``providing housing for migrant 
     farmworkers'' after ``any project''; and
       (C) by inserting at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Housing for other farm labor.--In any fiscal year, 
     the assistance provided under this paragraph for any project 
     providing housing for domestic farm labor legally admitted to 
     the United States and authorized to work in agriculture shall 
     not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the operating 
     costs for the project for the year, as determined by the 
     Secretary. The owner of such project shall not qualify for 
     operating assistance unless the Secretary certifies that the 
     project was unoccupied or underutilized before making units 
     available to such farm labor, and that a grant under this 
     section will not displace any farm worker who is a United 
     States worker.''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (D), by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(iii) The term `domestic farm labor' has the same meaning 
     given such term in section 514(f)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1484(f)(3)), 
     except that subparagraph (A) of such section shall not apply 
     for purposes this section.''.

     SEC. 231. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTIFIED WORKERS.

       Subsection (a) of section 214 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 1436a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
       ``(7) an alien granted certified agricultural worker or 
     certified agricultural dependent status under title I of the 
     Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, but solely for 
     financial assistance made available pursuant to section 521 
     or 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a, 1490r); 
     or''.

           Subtitle C--Foreign Labor Recruiter Accountability

     SEC. 251. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN LABOR RECRUITERS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, shall establish procedures for the 
     electronic registration of foreign labor recruiters engaged 
     in the recruitment of nonimmigrant workers 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)) to perform 
     agricultural labor or services in the United States.
       (b) Procedural Requirements.--The procedures described in 
     subsection (a) shall--
       (1) require the applicant to submit a sworn declaration--
       (A) stating the applicant's permanent place of residence or 
     principal place of business, as applicable;
       (B) describing the foreign labor recruiting activities in 
     which the applicant is engaged; and
       (C) including such other relevant information as the 
     Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of State may require;
       (2) include an expeditious means to update and renew 
     registrations;
       (3) include a process, which shall include the placement of 
     personnel at each United States diplomatic mission in 
     accordance with subsection (g)(2), to receive information 
     from the public regarding foreign labor recruiters who have 
     allegedly engaged in a foreign labor recruiting activity that 
     is prohibited under this subtitle;
       (4) include procedures for the receipt and processing of 
     complaints against foreign labor recruiters and for remedies, 
     including the revocation of a registration or the assessment 
     of fines upon a determination by the Secretary of Labor that 
     the foreign labor recruiter has violated the requirements of 
     this subtitle;
       (5) require the applicant to post a bond in an amount 
     sufficient to ensure the ability of the applicant to 
     discharge its responsibilities and ensure protection of 
     workers, including payment of wages; and
       (6) allow the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of State 
     to consult with other appropriate Federal agencies to 
     determine whether any reason exists to deny registration to a 
     foreign labor recruiter or revoke such registration.
       (c) Attestations.--Foreign labor recruiters registering 
     under this subtitle shall attest and agree to abide by the 
     following requirements:
       (1) Prohibited fees.--The foreign labor recruiter, 
     including any agent or employee of such foreign labor 
     recruiter, shall not assess any recruitment fees on a worker 
     for any foreign labor recruiting activity.
       (2) Prohibition on false and misleading information.--The 
     foreign labor recruiter shall not knowingly provide 
     materially false or misleading information to any worker 
     concerning

[[Page H1542]]

     any matter required to be disclosed under this subtitle.
       (3) Required disclosures.--The foreign labor recruiter 
     shall ascertain and disclose to the worker in writing in 
     English and in the primary language of the worker at the time 
     of the worker's recruitment, the following information:
       (A) The identity and address of the employer and the 
     identity and address of the person conducting the recruiting 
     on behalf of the employer, including each subcontractor or 
     agent involved in such recruiting.
       (B) A copy of the approved job order or work contract under 
     section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, including 
     all assurances and terms and conditions of employment.
       (C) A statement, in a form specified by the Secretary--
       (i) describing the general terms and conditions associated 
     with obtaining an H-2A visa and maintaining H-2A status;
       (ii) affirming the prohibition on the assessment of fees 
     described in paragraph (1), and explaining that such fees, if 
     paid by the employer, may not be passed on to the worker;
       (iii) describing the protections afforded the worker under 
     this subtitle, including procedures for reporting violations 
     to the Secretary of State, filing a complaint with the 
     Secretary of Labor, or filing a civil action; and
       (iv) describing the protections afforded the worker by 
     section 202 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 1375b), 
     including the telephone number for the national human 
     trafficking resource center hotline number.
       (4) Bond.--The foreign labor recruiter shall agree to 
     maintain a bond sufficient to ensure the ability of the 
     foreign labor recruiter to discharge its responsibilities and 
     ensure protection of workers, and to forfeit such bond in an 
     amount determined by the Secretary under subsections 
     (b)(1)(C)(ii) or (c)(2)(C) of section 252 for failure to 
     comply with the provisions of this subtitle.
       (5) Cooperation in investigation.--The foreign labor 
     recruiter shall agree to cooperate in any investigation under 
     section 252 of this subtitle by the Secretary or other 
     appropriate authorities.
       (6) No retaliation.--The foreign labor recruiter shall 
     agree to refrain from intimidating, threatening, restraining, 
     coercing, discharging, blacklisting or in any other manner 
     discriminating or retaliating against any worker or their 
     family members (including a former worker or an applicant for 
     employment) because such worker disclosed information to any 
     person based on a reason to believe that the foreign labor 
     recruiter, or any agent or subcontractee of such foreign 
     labor recruiter, is engaging or has engaged in a foreign 
     labor recruiting activity that does not comply with this 
     subtitle.
       (7) Employees, agents, and subcontractees.--The foreign 
     labor recruiter shall consent to be liable for the conduct of 
     any agents or subcontractees of any level in relation to the 
     foreign labor recruiting activity of the agent or 
     subcontractee to the same extent as if the foreign labor 
     recruiter had engaged in such conduct.
       (8) Enforcement.--If the foreign labor recruiter is 
     conducting foreign labor recruiting activity wholly outside 
     the United States, such foreign labor recruiter shall 
     establish a registered agent in the United States who is 
     authorized to accept service of process on behalf of the 
     foreign labor recruiter for the purpose of any administrative 
     proceeding under this title or any Federal court civil 
     action, if such service is made in accordance with the 
     appropriate Federal rules for service of process.
       (d) Term of Registration.--Unless suspended or revoked, a 
     registration under this section shall be valid for 2 years.
       (e) Application Fee.--The Secretary shall require a foreign 
     labor recruiter that submits an application for registration 
     under this section to pay a reasonable fee, sufficient to 
     cover the full costs of carrying out the registration 
     activities under this subtitle.
       (f) Notification.--
       (1) Employer notification.--
       (A) In general.--Not less frequently than once every year, 
     an employer of H-2A workers shall provide the Secretary with 
     the names and addresses of all foreign labor recruiters 
     engaged to perform foreign labor recruiting activity on 
     behalf of the employer, whether the foreign labor recruiter 
     is to receive any economic compensation for such services, 
     and, if so, the identity of the person or entity who is 
     paying for the services.
       (B) Agreement to cooperate.--In addition to the 
     requirements of subparagraph (A), the employer shall--
       (i) provide to the Secretary the identity of any foreign 
     labor recruiter whom the employer has reason to believe is 
     engaging in foreign labor recruiting activities that do not 
     comply with this subtitle; and
       (ii) promptly respond to any request by the Secretary for 
     information regarding the identity of a foreign labor 
     recruiter with whom the employer has a contract or other 
     agreement.
       (2) Foreign labor recruiter notification.--A registered 
     foreign labor recruiter shall notify the Secretary, not less 
     frequently than once every year, of the identity of any 
     subcontractee, agent, or foreign labor recruiter employee 
     involved in any foreign labor recruiting activity for, or on 
     behalf of, the foreign labor recruiter.
       (g) Additional Responsibilities of the Secretary of 
     State.--
       (1) Lists.--The Secretary of State, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Labor shall maintain and make publicly 
     available in written form and on the websites of United 
     States embassies in the official language of that country, 
     and on websites maintained by the Secretary of Labor, 
     regularly updated lists--
       (A) of foreign labor recruiters who hold valid 
     registrations under this section, including--
       (i) the name and address of the foreign labor recruiter;
       (ii) the countries in which such recruiters conduct 
     recruitment;
       (iii) the employers for whom recruiting is conducted;
       (iv) the occupations that are the subject of recruitment;
       (v) the States where recruited workers are employed; and
       (vi) the name and address of the registered agent in the 
     United States who is authorized to accept service of process 
     on behalf of the foreign labor recruiter; and
       (B) of foreign labor recruiters whose registration the 
     Secretary has revoked.
       (2) Personnel.--The Secretary of State shall ensure that 
     each United States diplomatic mission is staffed with a 
     person who shall be responsible for receiving information 
     from members of the public regarding potential violations of 
     the requirements applicable to registered foreign labor 
     recruiters and ensuring that such information is conveyed to 
     the Secretary of Labor for evaluation and initiation of an 
     enforcement action, if appropriate.
       (3) Visa application procedures.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that consular officers issuing visas to nonimmigrants 
     under section 101(a)(1)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 11001(a)(1)(H)(ii)(a))--
       (A) provide to and review with the applicant, in the 
     applicant's language (or a language the applicant 
     understands), a copy of the information and resources 
     pamphlet required by section 202 of the William Wilberforce 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 
     U.S.C. 1375b);
       (B) ensure that the applicant has a copy of the approved 
     job offer or work contract;
       (C) note in the visa application file whether the foreign 
     labor recruiter has a valid registration under this section; 
     and
       (D) if the foreign labor recruiter holds a valid 
     registration, review and include in the visa application 
     file, the foreign labor recruiter's disclosures required by 
     subsection (c)(3).
       (4) Data.--The Secretary of State shall make publicly 
     available online, on an annual basis, data disclosing the 
     gender, country of origin (and State, county, or province, if 
     available), age, wage, level of training, and occupational 
     classification, disaggregated by State, of nonimmigrant 
     workers described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act.

     SEC. 252. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Denial or Revocation of Registration.--
       (1) Grounds for denial or revocation.--The Secretary shall 
     deny an application for registration, or revoke a 
     registration, if the Secretary determines that the foreign 
     labor recruiter, or any agent or subcontractee of such 
     foreign labor recruiter--
       (A) knowingly made a material misrepresentation in the 
     registration application;
       (B) materially failed to comply with one or more of the 
     attestations provided under section 251(c); or
       (C) is not the real party in interest.
       (2) Notice.--Prior to denying an application for 
     registration or revoking a registration under this 
     subsection, the Secretary shall provide written notice of the 
     intent to deny or revoke the registration to the foreign 
     labor recruiter. Such notice shall--
       (A) articulate with specificity all grounds for denial or 
     revocation; and
       (B) provide the foreign labor recruiter with not less than 
     60 days to respond.
       (3) Re-registration.--A foreign labor recruiter whose 
     registration was revoked under subsection (a) may re-register 
     if the foreign labor recruiter demonstrates to the 
     Secretary's satisfaction that the foreign labor recruiter has 
     not violated this subtitle in the 5 years preceding the date 
     an application for registration is filed and has taken 
     sufficient steps to prevent future violations of this 
     subtitle.
       (b) Administrative Enforcement.--
       (1) Complaint process.--
       (A) Filing.--A complaint may be filed with the Secretary of 
     Labor, in accordance with the procedures established under 
     section 251(b)(4) not later than 2 years after the earlier 
     of--
       (i) the date of the last action which constituted the 
     conduct that is the subject of the complaint took place; or
       (ii) the date on which the aggrieved party had actual 
     knowledge of such conduct.
       (B) Decision and penalties.--If the Secretary of Labor 
     finds, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that a 
     foreign labor recruiter failed to comply with any of the 
     requirements of this subtitle, the Secretary of Labor may--
       (i) levy a fine against the foreign labor recruiter in an 
     amount not more than--

       (I) $10,000 per violation; and
       (II) $25,000 per violation, upon the third violation;

       (ii) order the forfeiture (or partial forfeiture) of the 
     bond and release of as much of the bond as the Secretary 
     determines is necessary for the worker to recover prohibited 
     recruitment fees;
       (iii) refuse to issue or renew a registration, or revoke a 
     registration; or
       (iv) disqualify the foreign labor recruiter from 
     registration for a period of up to 5 years, or in the case of 
     a subsequent finding involving willful or multiple material 
     violations, permanently disqualify the foreign labor 
     recruiter from registration.
       (2) Authority to ensure compliance.--The Secretary of Labor 
     is authorized to take other such actions, including issuing 
     subpoenas and seeking appropriate injunctive relief, as may 
     be necessary to assure compliance with the terms and 
     conditions of this subtitle.

[[Page H1543]]

       (3) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
     be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary of 
     Labor to conduct an investigation--
       (A) under any other law, including any law affecting 
     migrant and seasonal agricultural workers; or
       (B) in the absence of a complaint.
       (c) Civil Action.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor or any person 
     aggrieved by a violation of this subtitle may bring a civil 
     action against any foreign labor recruiter, or any employer 
     that does not meet the requirements under subsection (d)(1), 
     in any court of competent jurisdiction--
       (A) to seek remedial action, including injunctive relief; 
     and
       (B) for damages in accordance with the provisions of this 
     subsection.
       (2) Award for civil action filed by an individual.--
       (A) In general.--If the court finds in a civil action filed 
     by an individual under this section that the defendant has 
     violated any provision of this subtitle, the court may 
     award--
       (i) damages, up to and including an amount equal to the 
     amount of actual damages, and statutory damages of up to 
     $1,000 per plaintiff per violation, or other equitable 
     relief, except that with respect to statutory damages--

       (I) multiple infractions of a single provision of this 
     subtitle (or of a regulation under this subtitle) shall 
     constitute only one violation for purposes of this subsection 
     to determine the amount of statutory damages due a plaintiff; 
     and
       (II) if such complaint is certified as a class action the 
     court may award--

       (aa) damages up to an amount equal to the amount of actual 
     damages; and
       (bb) statutory damages of not more than the lesser of up to 
     $1,000 per class member per violation, or up to $500,000; and 
     other equitable relief;
       (ii) reasonable attorneys' fees and costs; and
       (iii) such other and further relief as necessary to 
     effectuate the purposes of this subtitle.
       (B) Criteria.--In determining the amount of statutory 
     damages to be awarded under subparagraph (A), the court is 
     authorized to consider whether an attempt was made to resolve 
     the issues in dispute before the resort to litigation.
       (C) Bond.--To satisfy the damages, fees, and costs found 
     owing under this paragraph, the Secretary shall release as 
     much of the bond held pursuant to section 251(c)(4) as 
     necessary.
       (3) Sums recovered in actions by the secretary of labor.--
       (A) Establishment of account.--There is established in the 
     general fund of the Treasury a separate account, which shall 
     be known as the ``H-2A Foreign Labor Recruiter Compensation 
     Account''. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, there 
     shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account, 
     all sums recovered in an action by the Secretary of Labor 
     under this subsection.
       (B) Use of funds.--Amounts deposited into the H-2A Foreign 
     Labor Recruiter Compensation Account and shall be paid 
     directly to each worker affected. Any such sums not paid to a 
     worker because of inability to do so within a period of 5 
     years following the date such funds are deposited into the 
     account shall remain available to the Secretary until 
     expended. The Secretary may transfer all or a portion of such 
     remaining sums to appropriate agencies to support the 
     enforcement of the laws prohibiting the trafficking and 
     exploitation of persons or programs that aid trafficking 
     victims.
       (d) Employer Safe Harbor.--
       (1) In general.--An employer that hires workers referred by 
     a foreign labor recruiter with a valid registration at the 
     time of hiring shall not be held jointly liable for a 
     violation committed solely by a foreign labor recruiter under 
     this subtitle--
       (A) in any administrative action initiated by the Secretary 
     concerning such violation; or
       (B) in any Federal or State civil court action filed 
     against the foreign labor recruiter by or on behalf of such 
     workers or other aggrieved party under this subtitle.
       (2) Clarification.--Nothing in this subtitle shall be 
     construed to prohibit an aggrieved party or parties from 
     bringing a civil action for violations of this subtitle or 
     any other Federal or State law against any employer who hired 
     workers referred by a foreign labor recruiter--
       (A) without a valid registration at the time of hire; or
       (B) with a valid registration if the employer knew or 
     learned of the violation and failed to report such violation 
     to the Secretary.
       (e) Parole To Pursue Relief.--If other immigration relief 
     is not available, the Secretary of Homeland Security may 
     grant parole to permit an individual to remain legally in the 
     United States for time sufficient to fully and effectively 
     participate in all legal proceedings related to any action 
     taken pursuant to subsection (b) or (c).
       (f) Waiver of Rights.--Agreements by employees purporting 
     to waive or to modify their rights under this subtitle shall 
     be void as contrary to public policy.
       (g) Liability for Agents.--Foreign labor recruiters shall 
     be subject to the provisions of this section for violations 
     committed by the foreign labor recruiter's agents or 
     subcontractees of any level in relation to their foreign 
     labor recruiting activity to the same extent as if the 
     foreign labor recruiter had committed the violation.

     SEC. 253. APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary for the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of State 
     to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.

     SEC. 254. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this subtitle:
       (1) Foreign labor recruiter.--The term ``foreign labor 
     recruiter'' means any person who performs foreign labor 
     recruiting activity in exchange for money or other valuable 
     consideration paid or promised to be paid, to recruit 
     individuals to work as nonimmigrant workers 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)), including 
     any person who performs foreign labor recruiting activity 
     wholly outside of the United States. Such term does not 
     include any entity of the United States Government or an 
     employer, or employee of an employer, who engages in foreign 
     labor recruiting activity solely to find employees for that 
     employer's own use, and without the participation of any 
     other foreign labor recruiter.
       (2) Foreign labor recruiting activity.--The term ``foreign 
     labor recruiting activity'' means recruiting, soliciting, or 
     related activities with respect to an individual who resides 
     outside of the United States in furtherance of employment in 
     the United States, including when such activity occurs wholly 
     outside of the United States.
       (3) Recruitment fees.--The term ``recruitment fees'' has 
     the meaning given to such term under section 22.1702 of title 
     22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (4) Person.--The term ``person'' means any natural person 
     or any corporation, company, firm, partnership, joint stock 
     company or association or other organization or entity 
     (whether organized under law or not), including municipal 
     corporations.

      TITLE III--ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

     SEC. 301. ELECTRONIC EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION 
                   SYSTEM.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 8 of title II of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1321 et seq.) is amended by 
     inserting after section 274D the following:

     ``SEC. 274E. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF 
                   EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.

       ``(a) Employment Eligibility Verification System.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
     (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall 
     establish and administer an electronic verification system 
     (referred to in this section as the `System'), patterned on 
     the E-Verify Program described in section 403(a) of the 
     Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 
     of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) (as in effect on the day before 
     the effective date described in section 303(a)(4) of the Farm 
     Workforce Modernization Act of 2021), and using the 
     employment eligibility confirmation system established under 
     section 404 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) (as so in 
     effect) as a foundation, through which the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) respond to inquiries made by persons or entities 
     seeking to verify the identity and employment authorization 
     of individuals that such persons or entities seek to hire, or 
     to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the United 
     States; and
       ``(B) maintain records of the inquiries that were made, and 
     of verifications provided (or not provided) to such persons 
     or entities as evidence of compliance with the requirements 
     of this section.
       ``(2) Initial response deadline.--The System shall provide 
     confirmation or a tentative nonconfirmation of an 
     individual's identity and employment authorization as soon as 
     practicable, but not later than 3 calendar days after the 
     initial inquiry.
       ``(3) General design and operation of system.--The 
     Secretary shall design and operate the System--
       ``(A) using responsive web design and other technologies to 
     maximize its ease of use and accessibility for users on a 
     variety of electronic devices and screen sizes, and in remote 
     locations;
       ``(B) to maximize the accuracy of responses to inquiries 
     submitted by persons or entities;
       ``(C) to maximize the reliability of the System and to 
     register each instance when the System is unable to receive 
     inquiries;
       ``(D) to protect the privacy and security of the personally 
     identifiable information maintained by or submitted to the 
     System;
       ``(E) to provide direct notification of an inquiry to an 
     individual with respect to whom the inquiry is made, 
     including the results of such inquiry, and information 
     related to the process for challenging the results, in cases 
     in which the individual has established a user account as 
     described in paragraph (4)(B) or an electronic mail address 
     for the individual is submitted by the person or entity at 
     the time the inquiry is made; and
       ``(F) to maintain appropriate administrative, technical, 
     and physical safeguards to prevent misuse of the System and 
     unfair immigration-related employment practices.
       ``(4) Measures to prevent identity theft and other forms of 
     fraud.--To prevent identity theft and other forms of fraud, 
     the Secretary shall design and operate the System with the 
     following attributes:
       ``(A) Photo matching tool.--The System shall display the 
     digital photograph of the individual, if any, that 
     corresponds to the document presented by an individual to 
     establish identity and employment authorization so that the 
     person or entity that makes an inquiry can compare the 
     photograph displayed by the System to the photograph on the 
     document presented by the individual.
       ``(B) Individual monitoring and suspension of identifying 
     information.--The System shall enable individuals to 
     establish user accounts, after authentication of an 
     individual's identity, that would allow an individual to--
       ``(i) confirm the individual's own employment 
     authorization;
       ``(ii) receive electronic notification when the 
     individual's social security account number or

[[Page H1544]]

     other personally identifying information has been submitted 
     to the System;
       ``(iii) monitor the use history of the individual's 
     personally identifying information in the System, including 
     the identities of all persons or entities that have submitted 
     such identifying information to the System, the date of each 
     query run, and the System response for each query run;
       ``(iv) suspend or limit the use of the individual's social 
     security account number or other personally identifying 
     information for purposes of the System; and
       ``(v) provide notice to the Department of Homeland Security 
     of any suspected identity fraud or other improper use of 
     personally identifying information.
       ``(C) Blocking misused social security account numbers.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Commissioner of Social Security (referred to in this section 
     as the `Commissioner'), shall develop, after publication in 
     the Federal Register and an opportunity for public comment, a 
     process in which social security account numbers that have 
     been identified to be subject to unusual multiple use in the 
     System or that are otherwise suspected or determined to have 
     been compromised by identity fraud or other misuse, shall be 
     blocked from use in the System unless the individual using 
     such number is able to establish, through secure and fair 
     procedures, that the individual is the legitimate holder of 
     the number.
       ``(ii) Notice.--If the Secretary blocks or suspends a 
     social security account number under this subparagraph, the 
     Secretary shall provide notice to the persons or entities 
     that have made inquiries to the System using such account 
     number that the identity and employment authorization of the 
     individual who provided such account number must be re-
     verified.
       ``(D) Additional identity authentication tool.--The 
     Secretary shall develop, after publication in the Federal 
     Register and an opportunity for public comment, additional 
     security measures to adequately verify the identity of an 
     individual whose identity may not be verified using the photo 
     tool described in subparagraph (A). Such additional security 
     measures--
       ``(i) shall be kept up-to-date with technological advances; 
     and
       ``(ii) shall be designed to provide a high level of 
     certainty with respect to identity authentication.
       ``(E) Child-lock pilot program.--The Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Commissioner, shall establish a 
     reliable, secure program through which parents or legal 
     guardians may suspend or limit the use of the social security 
     account number or other personally identifying information of 
     a minor under their care for purposes of the System. The 
     Secretary may implement the program on a limited pilot basis 
     before making it fully available to all individuals.
       ``(5) Responsibilities of the commissioner of social 
     security.--The Commissioner, in consultation with the 
     Secretary, shall establish a reliable, secure method, which, 
     within the time periods specified in paragraph (2) and 
     subsection (b)(4)(D)(i)(II), compares the name and social 
     security account number provided in an inquiry against such 
     information maintained by the Commissioner in order to 
     validate (or not validate) the information provided by the 
     person or entity with respect to an individual whose identity 
     and employment authorization the person or entity seeks to 
     confirm, the correspondence of the name and number, and 
     whether the individual has presented a social security 
     account number that is not valid for employment. The 
     Commissioner shall not disclose or release social security 
     information (other than such confirmation or nonconfirmation) 
     under the System except as provided under this section.
       ``(6) Responsibilities of the secretary of homeland 
     security.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     establish a reliable, secure method, which, within the time 
     periods specified in paragraph (2) and subsection 
     (b)(4)(D)(i)(II), compares the name and identification or 
     other authorization number (or any other information 
     determined relevant by the Secretary) which are provided in 
     an inquiry against such information maintained or accessed by 
     the Secretary in order to validate (or not validate) the 
     information provided, the correspondence of the name and 
     number, and whether the individual is authorized to be 
     employed in the United States.
       ``(B) Training.--The Secretary shall provide and regularly 
     update training materials on the use of the System for 
     persons and entities making inquiries.
       ``(C) Audit.--The Secretary shall provide for periodic 
     auditing of the System to detect and prevent misuse, 
     discrimination, fraud, and identity theft, to protect privacy 
     and assess System accuracy, and to preserve the integrity and 
     security of the information in the System.
       ``(D) Notice of system changes.--The Secretary shall 
     provide appropriate notification to persons and entities 
     registered in the System of any change made by the Secretary 
     or the Commissioner related to permitted and prohibited 
     documents, and use of the System.
       ``(7) Responsibilities of the secretary of state.--As part 
     of the System, the Secretary of State shall provide to the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security access to passport and visa 
     information as needed to confirm that a passport or passport 
     card presented under subsection (b)(3)(A)(i) confirms the 
     employment authorization and identity of the individual 
     presenting such document, and that a passport, passport card, 
     or visa photograph matches the Secretary of State's records, 
     and shall provide such assistance as the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security may request in order to resolve tentative 
     nonconfirmations or final nonconfirmations relating to such 
     information.
       ``(8) Updating information.--The Commissioner, the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of State 
     shall update records in their custody in a manner that 
     promotes maximum accuracy of the System and shall provide a 
     process for the prompt correction of erroneous information, 
     including instances in which it is brought to their attention 
     through the tentative nonconfirmation review process under 
     subsection (b)(4)(D).
       ``(9) Mandatory and voluntary system uses.--
       ``(A) Mandatory users.--Except as otherwise provided under 
     Federal or State law, such as sections 302 and 303 of the 
     Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, nothing in this 
     section shall be construed as requiring the use of the System 
     by any person or entity hiring, recruiting, or referring for 
     a fee, an individual for employment in the United States.
       ``(B) Voluntary users.--Beginning after the date that is 30 
     days after the date on which final rules are published under 
     section 309(a) of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 
     2021, a person or entity may use the System on a voluntary 
     basis to seek verification of the identity and employment 
     authorization of individuals the person or entity is hiring, 
     recruiting, or referring for a fee for employment in the 
     United States.
       ``(C) Process for non-users.--The employment verification 
     process for any person or entity hiring, recruiting, or 
     referring for a fee, an individual for employment in the 
     United States shall be governed by section 274A(b) unless the 
     person or entity--
       ``(i) is required by Federal or State law to use the 
     System; or
       ``(ii) has opted to use the System voluntarily in 
     accordance with subparagraph (B).
       ``(10) No fee for use.--The Secretary may not charge a fee 
     to an individual, person, or entity related to the use of the 
     System.
       ``(b) New Hires, Recruitment, and Referral.--
     Notwithstanding section 274A(b), the requirements referred to 
     in paragraphs (1)(B) and (3) of section 274A(a) are, in the 
     case of a person or entity that uses the System for the 
     hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee, an individual for 
     employment in the United States, the following:
       ``(1) Individual attestation of employment authorization.--
     During the period beginning on the date on which an offer of 
     employment is accepted and ending on the date of hire, the 
     individual shall attest, under penalty of perjury on a form 
     designated by the Secretary, that the individual is 
     authorized to be employed in the United States by providing 
     on such form--
       ``(A) the individual's name and date of birth;
       ``(B) the individual's social security account number 
     (unless the individual has applied for and not yet been 
     issued such a number);
       ``(C) whether the individual is--
       ``(i) a citizen or national of the United States;
       ``(ii) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; 
     or
       ``(iii) an alien who is otherwise authorized by the 
     Secretary to be hired, recruited, or referred for employment 
     in the United States; and
       ``(D) if the individual does not attest to United States 
     citizenship or nationality, such identification or other 
     authorization number established by the Department of 
     Homeland Security for the alien as the Secretary may specify.
       ``(2) Employer attestation after examination of 
     documents.--Not later than 3 business days after the date of 
     hire, the person or entity shall attest, under penalty of 
     perjury on the form designated by the Secretary for purposes 
     of paragraph (1), that it has verified that the individual is 
     not an unauthorized alien by--
       ``(A) obtaining from the individual the information 
     described in paragraph (1) and recording such information on 
     the form;
       ``(B) examining--
       ``(i) a document described in paragraph (3)(A); or
       ``(ii) a document described in paragraph (3)(B) and a 
     document described in paragraph (3)(C); and
       ``(C) attesting that the information recorded on the form 
     is consistent with the documents examined.
       ``(3) Acceptable documents.--
       ``(A) Documents establishing employment authorization and 
     identity.--A document described in this subparagraph is an 
     individual's--
       ``(i) United States passport or passport card;
       ``(ii) permanent resident card that contains a photograph;
       ``(iii) foreign passport containing temporary evidence of 
     lawful permanent residence in the form of an official I-551 
     (or successor) stamp from the Department of Homeland Security 
     or a printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa;
       ``(iv) unexpired employment authorization card that 
     contains a photograph;
       ``(v) in the case of a nonimmigrant alien authorized to 
     engage in employment for a specific employer incident to 
     status, a foreign passport with Form I-94, Form I-94A, or 
     other documentation as designated by the Secretary specifying 
     the alien's nonimmigrant status as long as such status has 
     not yet expired and the proposed employment is not in 
     conflict with any restrictions or limitations identified in 
     the documentation;
       ``(vi) passport from the Federated States of Micronesia or 
     the Republic of the Marshall Islands with Form I-94, Form I-
     94A, or other documentation as designated by the Secretary, 
     indicating nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free 
     Association Between the United States and the Federated 
     States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands; 
     or
       ``(vii) other document designated by the Secretary, by 
     notice published in the Federal Register, if the document--

       ``(I) contains a photograph of the individual, biometric 
     identification data, and other personal identifying 
     information relating to the individual;

[[Page H1545]]

       ``(II) is evidence of authorization for employment in the 
     United States; and
       ``(III) contains security features to make it resistant to 
     tampering, counterfeiting, and fraudulent use.

       ``(B) Documents establishing employment authorization.--A 
     document described in this subparagraph is--
       ``(i) an individual's social security account number card 
     (other than such a card which specifies on the face that the 
     issuance of the card does not authorize employment in the 
     United States); or
       ``(ii) a document establishing employment authorization 
     that the Secretary determines, by notice published in the 
     Federal Register, to be acceptable for purposes of this 
     subparagraph, provided that such documentation contains 
     security features to make it resistant to tampering, 
     counterfeiting, and fraudulent use.
       ``(C) Documents establishing identity.--A document 
     described in this subparagraph is--
       ``(i) an individual's driver's license or identification 
     card if it was issued by a State or one of the outlying 
     possessions of the United States and contains a photograph 
     and personal identifying information relating to the 
     individual;
       ``(ii) an individual's unexpired United States military 
     identification card;
       ``(iii) an individual's unexpired Native American tribal 
     identification document issued by a tribal entity recognized 
     by the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
       ``(iv) in the case of an individual under 18 years of age, 
     a parent or legal guardian's attestation under penalty of law 
     as to the identity and age of the individual; or
       ``(v) a document establishing identity that the Secretary 
     determines, by notice published in the Federal Register, to 
     be acceptable for purposes of this subparagraph, if such 
     documentation contains a photograph of the individual, 
     biometric identification data, and other personal identifying 
     information relating to the individual, and security features 
     to make it resistant to tampering, counterfeiting, and 
     fraudulent use.
       ``(D) Authority to prohibit use of certain documents.--If 
     the Secretary finds that any document or class of documents 
     described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) does not reliably 
     establish identity or employment authorization or is being 
     used fraudulently to an unacceptable degree, the Secretary 
     may, by notice published in the Federal Register, prohibit or 
     place conditions on the use of such document or class of 
     documents for purposes of this section.
       ``(4) Use of the system to screen identity and employment 
     authorization.--
       ``(A) In general.--In the case of a person or entity that 
     uses the System for the hiring, recruiting, or referring for 
     a fee an individual for employment in the United States, 
     during the period described in subparagraph (B), the person 
     or entity shall submit an inquiry through the System 
     described in subsection (a) to seek verification of the 
     identity and employment authorization of the individual.
       ``(B) Verification period.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), and 
     subject to subsection (d), the verification period shall 
     begin on the date of hire and end on the date that is 3 
     business days after the date of hire, or such other 
     reasonable period as the Secretary may prescribe.
       ``(ii) Special rule.--In the case of an alien who is 
     authorized to be employed in the United States and who 
     provides evidence from the Social Security Administration 
     that the alien has applied for a social security account 
     number, the verification period shall end 3 business days 
     after the alien receives the social security account number.
       ``(C) Confirmation.--If a person or entity receives 
     confirmation of an individual's identity and employment 
     authorization, the person or entity shall record such 
     confirmation on the form designated by the Secretary for 
     purposes of paragraph (1).
       ``(D) Tentative nonconfirmation.--
       ``(i) In general.--In cases of tentative nonconfirmation, 
     the Secretary shall provide, in consultation with the 
     Commissioner, a process for--

       ``(I) an individual to contest the tentative 
     nonconfirmation not later than 10 business days after the 
     date of the receipt of the notice described in clause (ii); 
     and
       ``(II) the Secretary to issue a confirmation or final 
     nonconfirmation of an individual's identity and employment 
     authorization not later than 30 calendar days after the 
     Secretary receives notice from the individual contesting a 
     tentative nonconfirmation.

       ``(ii) Notice.--If a person or entity receives a tentative 
     nonconfirmation of an individual's identity or employment 
     authorization, the person or entity shall, not later than 3 
     business days after receipt, notify such individual in 
     writing in a language understood by the individual and on a 
     form designated by the Secretary, that shall include a 
     description of the individual's right to contest the 
     tentative nonconfirmation. The person or entity shall attest, 
     under penalty of perjury, that the person or entity provided 
     (or attempted to provide) such notice to the individual, and 
     the individual shall acknowledge receipt of such notice in a 
     manner specified by the Secretary.
       ``(iii) No contest.--

       ``(I) In general.--A tentative nonconfirmation shall become 
     final if, upon receiving the notice described in clause (ii), 
     the individual--

       ``(aa) refuses to acknowledge receipt of such notice;
       ``(bb) acknowledges in writing, in a manner specified by 
     the Secretary, that the individual will not contest the 
     tentative nonconfirmation; or
       ``(cc) fails to contest the tentative nonconfirmation 
     within the 10-business-day period beginning on the date the 
     individual received such notice.

       ``(II) Record of no contest.--The person or entity shall 
     indicate in the System that the individual did not contest 
     the tentative nonconfirmation and shall specify the reason 
     the tentative nonconfirmation became final under subclause 
     (I).
       ``(III) Effect of failure to contest.--An individual's 
     failure to contest a tentative nonconfirmation shall not be 
     considered an admission of any fact with respect to any 
     violation of this Act or any other provision of law.

       ``(iv) Contest.--

       ``(I) In general.--An individual may contest a tentative 
     nonconfirmation by using the tentative nonconfirmation review 
     process under clause (i), not later than 10 business days 
     after receiving the notice described in clause (ii). Except 
     as provided in clause (iii), the nonconfirmation shall remain 
     tentative until a confirmation or final nonconfirmation is 
     provided by the System.
       ``(II) Prohibition on termination.--In no case shall a 
     person or entity terminate employment or take any adverse 
     employment action against an individual for failure to obtain 
     confirmation of the individual's identity and employment 
     authorization until the person or entity receives a notice of 
     final nonconfirmation from the System. Nothing in this 
     subclause shall prohibit an employer from terminating the 
     employment of the individual for any other lawful reason.
       ``(III) Confirmation or final nonconfirmation.--The 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner, shall issue 
     notice of a confirmation or final nonconfirmation of the 
     individual's identity and employment authorization not later 
     than 30 calendar days after the date the Secretary receives 
     notice from the individual contesting the tentative 
     nonconfirmation.

       ``(E) Final nonconfirmation.--
       ``(i) Notice.--If a person or entity receives a final 
     nonconfirmation of an individual's identity or employment 
     authorization, the person or entity shall, not later than 3 
     business days after receipt, notify such individual of the 
     final nonconfirmation in writing, on a form designated by the 
     Secretary, which shall include information regarding the 
     individual's right to appeal the final nonconfirmation as 
     provided under subparagraph (F). The person or entity shall 
     attest, under penalty of perjury, that the person or entity 
     provided (or attempted to provide) the notice to the 
     individual, and the individual shall acknowledge receipt of 
     such notice in a manner designated by the Secretary.
       ``(ii) Termination or notification of continued 
     employment.--If a person or entity receives a final 
     nonconfirmation regarding an individual, the person or entity 
     may terminate employment of the individual. If the person or 
     entity does not terminate such employment pending appeal of 
     the final nonconfirmation, the person or entity shall notify 
     the Secretary of such fact through the System. Failure to 
     notify the Secretary in accordance with this clause shall be 
     deemed a violation of section 274A(a)(1)(A).
       ``(iii) Presumption of violation for continued 
     employment.--If a person or entity continues to employ an 
     individual after receipt of a final nonconfirmation, there 
     shall be a rebuttable presumption that the person or entity 
     has violated paragraphs (1)(A) and (a)(2) of section 274A(a).
       ``(F) Appeal of final nonconfirmation.--
       ``(i) Administrative appeal.--The Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Commissioner, shall develop a process 
     by which an individual may seek administrative review of a 
     final nonconfirmation. Such process shall--

       ``(I) permit the individual to submit additional evidence 
     establishing identity or employment authorization;
       ``(II) ensure prompt resolution of an appeal (but in no 
     event shall there be a failure to respond to an appeal within 
     30 days); and
       ``(III) permit the Secretary to impose a civil money 
     penalty (not to exceed $500) on an individual upon finding 
     that an appeal was frivolous or filed for purposes of delay.

       ``(ii) Compensation for lost wages resulting from 
     government error or omission.--

       ``(I) In general.--If, upon consideration of an appeal of a 
     final nonconfirmation, the Secretary determines that the 
     final nonconfirmation was issued in error, the Secretary 
     shall further determine whether the final nonconfirmation was 
     the result of government error or omission. If the Secretary 
     determines that the final nonconfirmation was solely the 
     result of government error or omission and the individual was 
     terminated from employment, the Secretary shall compensate 
     the individual for lost wages.
       ``(II) Calculation of lost wages.--Lost wages shall be 
     calculated based on the wage rate and work schedule that were 
     in effect prior to the individual's termination. The 
     individual shall be compensated for lost wages beginning on 
     the first scheduled work day after employment was terminated 
     and ending 90 days after completion of the administrative 
     review process described in this subparagraph or the day the 
     individual is reinstated or obtains other employment, 
     whichever occurs first.
       ``(III) Limitation on compensation.--No compensation for 
     lost wages shall be awarded for any period during which the 
     individual was not authorized for employment in the United 
     States.
       ``(IV) Source of funds.--There is established in the 
     general fund of the Treasury, a separate account which shall 
     be known as the `Electronic Verification Compensation 
     Account'. Fees collected under subsections (f) and (g) shall 
     be deposited in the Electronic Verification Compensation 
     Account and shall remain available for purposes of providing 
     compensation for lost wages under this subclause.

       ``(iii) Judicial review.--Not later than 30 days after the 
     dismissal of an appeal under this subparagraph, an individual 
     may seek judicial

[[Page H1546]]

     review of such dismissal in the United States District Court 
     in the jurisdiction in which the employer resides or conducts 
     business.
       ``(5) Retention of verification records.--
       ``(A) In general.--After completing the form designated by 
     the Secretary in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), the 
     person or entity shall retain the form in paper, microfiche, 
     microfilm, electronic, or other format deemed acceptable by 
     the Secretary, and make it available for inspection by 
     officers of the Department of Homeland Security, the 
     Department of Justice, or the Department of Labor during the 
     period beginning on the date the verification is completed 
     and ending on the later of--
       ``(i) the date that is 3 years after the date of hire; or
       ``(ii) the date that is 1 year after the date on which the 
     individual's employment is terminated.
       ``(B) Copying of documentation permitted.--Notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, a person or entity may copy a 
     document presented by an individual pursuant to this section 
     and may retain the copy, but only for the purpose of 
     complying with the requirements of this section.
       ``(c) Reverification of Previously Hired Individuals.--
       ``(1) Mandatory reverification.--In the case of a person or 
     entity that uses the System for the hiring, recruiting, or 
     referring for a fee an individual for employment in the 
     United States, the person or entity shall submit an inquiry 
     using the System to verify the identity and employment 
     authorization of--
       ``(A) an individual with a limited period of employment 
     authorization, within 3 business days before the date on 
     which such employment authorization expires; and
       ``(B) an individual, not later than 10 days after receiving 
     a notification from the Secretary requiring the verification 
     of such individual pursuant to subsection (a)(4)(C).
       ``(2) Reverification procedures.--The verification 
     procedures under subsection (b) shall apply to 
     reverifications under this subsection, except that employers 
     shall--
       ``(A) use a form designated by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this paragraph; and
       ``(B) retain the form in paper, microfiche, microfilm, 
     electronic, or other format deemed acceptable by the 
     Secretary, and make it available for inspection by officers 
     of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of 
     Justice, or the Department of Labor during the period 
     beginning on the date the reverification commences and ending 
     on the later of--
       ``(i) the date that is 3 years after the date of 
     reverification; or
       ``(ii) the date that is 1 year after the date on which the 
     individual's employment is terminated.
       ``(3) Limitation on reverification.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (1), a person or entity may not otherwise reverify 
     the identity and employment authorization of a current 
     employee, including an employee continuing in employment.
       ``(d) Good Faith Compliance.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, a person or entity that uses the System is 
     considered to have complied with the requirements of this 
     section notwithstanding a technical failure of the System, or 
     other technical or procedural failure to meet such 
     requirement if there was a good faith attempt to comply with 
     the requirement.
       ``(2) Exception for failure to correct after notice.--
     Paragraph (1) shall not apply if--
       ``(A) the failure is not de minimis;
       ``(B) the Secretary has provided notice to the person or 
     entity of the failure, including an explanation as to why it 
     is not de minimis;
       ``(C) the person or entity has been provided a period of 
     not less than 30 days (beginning after the date of the 
     notice) to correct the failure; and
       ``(D) the person or entity has not corrected the failure 
     voluntarily within such period.
       ``(3) Exception for pattern or practice violators.--
     Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person or entity that has 
     engaged or is engaging in a pattern or practice of violations 
     of paragraph (1)(A) or (2) of section 274A(a).
       ``(4) Defense.--In the case of a person or entity that uses 
     the System for the hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee 
     an individual for employment in the United States, the person 
     or entity shall not be liable to a job applicant, an 
     employee, the Federal Government, or a State or local 
     government, under Federal, State, or local criminal or civil 
     law, for any employment-related action taken with respect to 
     an employee in good-faith reliance on information provided by 
     the System. Such person or entity shall be deemed to have 
     established compliance with its obligations under this 
     section, absent a showing by the Secretary, by clear and 
     convincing evidence, that the employer had knowledge that an 
     employee is an unauthorized alien.
       ``(e) Limitations.--
       ``(1) No national identification card.--Nothing in this 
     section shall be construed to authorize, directly or 
     indirectly, the issuance or use of national identification 
     cards or the establishment of a national identification card.
       ``(2) Use of records.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, nothing in this section shall be construed to permit 
     or allow any department, bureau, or other agency of the 
     United States Government to utilize any information, 
     database, or other records assembled under this section for 
     any purpose other than the verification of identity and 
     employment authorization of an individual or to ensure the 
     secure, appropriate, and non-discriminatory use of the 
     System.
       ``(f) Penalties.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection, 
     the provisions of subsections (e) through (g) of section 274A 
     shall apply with respect to compliance with the provisions of 
     this section and penalties for non-compliance for persons or 
     entitles that use the System.
       ``(2) Cease and desist order with civil money penalties for 
     hiring, recruiting, and referral violations.--Notwithstanding 
     the civil money penalties set forth in section 274A(e)(4), 
     with respect to a violation of paragraph (1)(A) or (2) of 
     section 274A(a) by a person or entity that has hired, 
     recruited, or referred for a fee, an individual for 
     employment in the United States, a cease and desist order--
       ``(A) shall require the person or entity to pay a civil 
     penalty in an amount, subject to subsection (d), of--
       ``(i) not less than $2,500 and not more than $5,000 for 
     each unauthorized alien with respect to whom a violation of 
     either such subsection occurred;
       ``(ii) not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000 for 
     each such alien in the case of a person or entity previously 
     subject to one order under this paragraph; or
       ``(iii) not less than $10,000 and not more than $25,000 for 
     each such alien in the case of a person or entity previously 
     subject to more than one order under this paragraph; and
       ``(B) may require the person or entity to take such other 
     remedial action as appropriate.
       ``(3) Order for civil money penalty for violations.--With 
     respect to a violation of section 274A(a)(1)(B), the order 
     under this paragraph shall require the person or entity to 
     pay a civil penalty in an amount, subject to paragraphs (4), 
     (5), and (6), of not less than $1,000 and not more than 
     $25,000 for each individual with respect to whom such 
     violation occurred. Failure by a person or entity to utilize 
     the System as required by law or providing information to the 
     System that the person or entity knows or reasonably believes 
     to be false, shall be treated as a violation of section 
     274A(a)(1)(A).
       ``(4) Exemption from penalty for good faith violation.--
       ``(A) In general.--A person or entity that uses the System 
     is presumed to have acted with knowledge for purposes of 
     paragraphs (1)(A) and (2) of section 274A(a) if the person or 
     entity fails to make an inquiry to verify the identity and 
     employment authorization of the individual through the 
     System.
       ``(B) Good faith exemption.--In the case of imposition of a 
     civil penalty under paragraph (2)(A) with respect to a 
     violation of paragraph (1)(A) or (2) of section 274A(a) for 
     hiring or continuation of employment or recruitment or 
     referral by a person or entity, and in the case of imposition 
     of a civil penalty under paragraph (3) for a violation of 
     section 274A(a)(1)(B) for hiring or recruitment or referral 
     by a person or entity, the penalty otherwise imposed may be 
     waived or reduced if the person or entity establishes that 
     the person or entity acted in good faith.
       ``(5) Mitigation elements.--For purposes of paragraphs 
     (2)(A) and (3), when assessing the level of civil money 
     penalties, in addition to the good faith of the person or 
     entity being charged, due consideration shall be given to the 
     size of the business, the seriousness of the violation, 
     whether or not the individual was an unauthorized alien, and 
     the history of previous violations.
       ``(6) Criminal penalty.--Notwithstanding section 274A(f)(1) 
     and the provisions of any other Federal law relating to fine 
     levels, any person or entity that is required to comply with 
     the provisions of this section and that engages in a pattern 
     or practice of violations of paragraph (1) or (2) of section 
     274A(a), shall be fined not more than $5,000 for each 
     unauthorized alien with respect to whom such a violation 
     occurs, imprisoned for not more than 18 months, or both.
       ``(7) Electronic verification compensation account.--Civil 
     money penalties collected under this subsection shall be 
     deposited in the Electronic Verification Compensation Account 
     for the purpose of compensating individuals for lost wages as 
     a result of a final nonconfirmation issued by the System that 
     was based on government error or omission, as set forth in 
     subsection (b)(4)(F)(ii)(IV).
       ``(8) Debarment.--
       ``(A) In general.--If a person or entity is determined by 
     the Secretary to be a repeat violator of paragraph (1)(A) or 
     (2) of section 274A(a) or is convicted of a crime under 
     section 274A, such person or entity may be considered for 
     debarment from the receipt of Federal contracts, grants, or 
     cooperative agreements in accordance with the debarment 
     standards and pursuant to the debarment procedures set forth 
     in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
       ``(B) No contract, grant, agreement.--If the Secretary or 
     the Attorney General wishes to have a person or entity 
     considered for debarment in accordance with this paragraph, 
     and such a person or entity does not hold a Federal contract, 
     grant or cooperative agreement, the Secretary or Attorney 
     General shall refer the matter to the Administrator of 
     General Services to determine whether to list the person or 
     entity on the List of Parties Excluded from Federal 
     Procurement, and if so, for what duration and under what 
     scope.
       ``(C) Contract, grant, agreement.--If the Secretary or the 
     Attorney General wishes to have a person or entity considered 
     for debarment in accordance with this paragraph, and such 
     person or entity holds a Federal contract, grant, or 
     cooperative agreement, the Secretary or Attorney General 
     shall advise all agencies or departments holding a contract, 
     grant, or cooperative agreement with the person or entity of 
     the Government's interest in having the person or entity 
     considered for debarment, and after soliciting and 
     considering the views of all such agencies and departments, 
     the Secretary or Attorney General may refer the matter to the 
     appropriate lead agency to determine whether to list the 
     person or entity on the List of Parties

[[Page H1547]]

     Excluded from Federal Procurement, and if so, for what 
     duration and under what scope.
       ``(D) Review.--Any decision to debar a person or entity in 
     accordance with this subsection shall be reviewable pursuant 
     to part 9.4 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
       ``(9) Preemption.--The provisions of this section preempt 
     any State or local law, ordinance, policy, or rule, including 
     any criminal or civil fine or penalty structure, relating to 
     the hiring, continued employment, or status verification for 
     employment eligibility purposes, of unauthorized aliens, 
     except that a State, locality, municipality, or political 
     subdivision may exercise its authority over business 
     licensing and similar laws as a penalty for failure to use 
     the System as required under this section.
       ``(g) Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices and 
     the System.--
       ``(1) In general.--In addition to the prohibitions on 
     discrimination set forth in section 274B, it is an unfair 
     immigration-related employment practice for a person or 
     entity, in the course of utilizing the System--
       ``(A) to use the System for screening an applicant prior to 
     the date of hire;
       ``(B) to terminate the employment of an individual or take 
     any adverse employment action with respect to that individual 
     due to a tentative nonconfirmation issued by the System;
       ``(C) to use the System to screen any individual for any 
     purpose other than confirmation of identity and employment 
     authorization as provided in this section;
       ``(D) to use the System to verify the identity and 
     employment authorization of a current employee, including an 
     employee continuing in employment, other than reverification 
     authorized under subsection (c);
       ``(E) to use the System to discriminate based on national 
     origin or citizenship status;
       ``(F) to willfully fail to provide an individual with any 
     notice required under this title;
       ``(G) to require an individual to make an inquiry under the 
     self-verification procedures described in subsection 
     (a)(4)(B) or to provide the results of such an inquiry as a 
     condition of employment, or hiring, recruiting, or referring; 
     or
       ``(H) to terminate the employment of an individual or take 
     any adverse employment action with respect to that individual 
     based upon the need to verify the identity and employment 
     authorization of the individual as required by subsection 
     (b).
       ``(2) Preemployment screening and background check.--
     Nothing in paragraph (1)(A) shall be construed to preclude a 
     preemployment screening or background check that is required 
     or permitted under any other provision of law.
       ``(3) Civil money penalties for discriminatory conduct.--
     Notwithstanding section 274B(g)(2)(B)(iv), the penalties that 
     may be imposed by an administrative law judge with respect to 
     a finding that a person or entity has engaged in an unfair 
     immigration-related employment practice described in 
     paragraph (1) are--
       ``(A) not less than $1,000 and not more than $4,000 for 
     each individual discriminated against;
       ``(B) in the case of a person or entity previously subject 
     to a single order under this paragraph, not less than $4,000 
     and not more than $10,000 for each individual discriminated 
     against; and
       ``(C) in the case of a person or entity previously subject 
     to more than one order under this paragraph, not less than 
     $6,000 and not more than $20,000 for each individual 
     discriminated against.
       ``(4) Electronic verification compensation account.--Civil 
     money penalties collected under this subsection shall be 
     deposited in the Electronic Verification Compensation Account 
     for the purpose of compensating individuals for lost wages as 
     a result of a final nonconfirmation issued by the System that 
     was based on government error or omission, as set forth in 
     subsection (b)(4)(F)(ii)(IV).
       ``(h) Clarification.--All rights and remedies provided 
     under any Federal, State, or local law relating to workplace 
     rights, including but not limited to back pay, are available 
     to an employee despite--
       ``(1) the employee's status as an unauthorized alien during 
     or after the period of employment; or
       ``(2) the employer's or employee's failure to comply with 
     the requirements of this section.
       ``(i) Definition.--In this section, the term `date of hire' 
     means the date on which employment for pay or other 
     remuneration commences.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 274D the following:

``Sec. 274E. Requirements for the electronic verification of employment 
              eligibility.''.

     SEC. 302. MANDATORY ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION FOR THE 
                   AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

       (a) In General.--The requirements for the electronic 
     verification of identity and employment authorization 
     described in section 274E of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act, as inserted by section 301 of this Act, shall apply to a 
     person or entity hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee 
     an individual for agricultural employment in the United 
     States in accordance with the effective dates set forth in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Effective Dates.--
       (1) Hiring.--Subsection (a) shall apply to a person or 
     entity hiring an individual for agricultural employment in 
     the United States as follows:
       (A) With respect to employers having 500 or more employees 
     in the United States on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, on the date that is 6 months after completion of the 
     application period described in section 101(c).
       (B) With respect to employers having 100 or more employees 
     in the United States (but less than 500 such employees) on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, on the date that is 9 
     months after completion of the application period described 
     in section 101(c).
       (C) With respect to employers having 20 or more employees 
     in the United States (but less than 100 such employees) on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, on the date that is 12 
     months after completion of the application period described 
     in section 101(c).
       (D) With respect to employers having one or more employees 
     in the United States, (but less than 20 such employees) on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, on the date that is 15 
     months after completion of the application period described 
     in section 101(c).
       (2) Recruiting and referring for a fee.--Subsection (a) 
     shall apply to a person or entity recruiting or referring for 
     a fee an individual for agricultural employment in the United 
     States on the date that is 12 months after completion of the 
     application period described in section 101(c).
       (3) Transition rule.--Except as required under subtitle A 
     of title IV of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
     Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) (as in 
     effect on the day before the effective date described in 
     section 303(a)(4)), Executive Order No. 13465 (8 U.S.C. 1324a 
     note; relating to Government procurement), or any State law 
     requiring persons or entities to use the E-Verify Program 
     described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform 
     and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a 
     note) (as in effect on the day before the effective date 
     described in section 303(a)(4)), sections 274A and 274B of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a and 
     1324b) shall apply to a person or entity hiring, recruiting, 
     or referring an individual for employment in the United 
     States until the applicable effective date under this 
     subsection.
       (4) E-Verify voluntary users and others desiring early 
     compliance.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     prohibit persons or entities, including persons or entities 
     that have voluntarily elected to participate in the E-Verify 
     Program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal 
     Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 
     (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) (as in effect on the day before the 
     effective date described in section 303(a)(4)), from seeking 
     early compliance on a voluntary basis.
       (5) Delayed implementation.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     may delay the effective dates described in paragraphs (1) and 
     (2) for a period not to exceed 180 days if the Secretary 
     determines, based on the most recent report described in 
     section 133 and other relevant data, that a significant 
     number of applications under section 101 remain pending.
       (c) Rural Access to Assistance for Tentative 
     Nonconfirmation Review Process.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     coordinate with the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation 
     with the Commissioner of Social Security, to create a process 
     for individuals to seek assistance in contesting a tentative 
     nonconfirmation as described in section 274E(b)(4)(D) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act, as inserted by section 301 
     of this Act, at local offices or service centers of the U.S. 
     Department of Agriculture.
       (2) Staffing and resources.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security and Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that local 
     offices and service centers of the U.S. Department of 
     Agriculture are staffed appropriately and have the resources 
     necessary to provide information and support to individuals 
     seeking the assistance described in paragraph (1), including 
     by facilitating communication between such individuals and 
     the Department of Homeland Security or the Social Security 
     Administration.
       (3) Clarification.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
     construed to delegate authority or transfer responsibility 
     for reviewing and resolving tentative nonconfirmations from 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commissioner of 
     Social Security to the Secretary of Agriculture.
       (d) Document Establishing Employment Authorization and 
     Identity.--In accordance with section 274E(b)(3)(A)(vii) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act, as inserted by section 
     301 of this Act, and not later than 12 months after the 
     completion of the application period described in section 
     101(c) of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     recognize documentary evidence of certified agricultural 
     worker status described in section 102(a)(2) of this Act as 
     valid proof of employment authorization and identity for 
     purposes of section 274E(b)(3)(A) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act, as inserted by section 301 of this Act.
       (e) Agricultural Employment.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term ``agricultural employment'' means agricultural labor 
     or services, as defined by section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)), as amended by this Act.

     SEC. 303. COORDINATION WITH E-VERIFY PROGRAM.

       (a) Repeal.--
       (1) In general.--Subtitle A of title IV of the Illegal 
     Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 
     (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) is repealed.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections, in section 
     1(d) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
     Responsibility Act of 1996, is amended by striking the items 
     relating to subtitle A of title IV.
       (3) References.--Any reference in any Federal, State, or 
     local law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation 
     of authority, or any document of, or pertaining to, the 
     Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, or 
     the Social Security Administration, to the E-

[[Page H1548]]

     Verify Program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal 
     Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 
     (8 U.S.C. 1324a note), or to the employment eligibility 
     confirmation system established under section 404 of the 
     Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 
     of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note), is deemed to refer to the 
     employment eligibility confirmation system established under 
     section 274E of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as 
     inserted by section 301 of this Act.
       (4) Effective date.--This subsection, and the amendments 
     made by this subsection, shall take effect on the date that 
     is 30 days after the date on which final rules are published 
     under section 309(a).
       (b) Former E-Verify Mandatory Users, Including Federal 
     Contractors.--Beginning on the effective date in subsection 
     (a)(4), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall require 
     employers required to participate in the E-Verify Program 
     described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform 
     and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a 
     note) by reason of any Federal, State, or local law, 
     Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of 
     authority, including employers required to participate in 
     such program by reason of Federal acquisition laws (and 
     regulations promulgated under those laws, including the 
     Federal Acquisition Regulation), to comply with the 
     requirements of section 274E of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act, as inserted by section 301 of this Act (and 
     any additional requirements of such Federal acquisition laws 
     and regulation) in lieu of any requirement to participate in 
     the E-Verify Program.
       (c) Former E-Verify Voluntary Users.--Beginning on the 
     effective date in subsection (a)(4), the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall provide for the voluntary compliance 
     with the requirements of section 274E of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act, as inserted by section 301 of this Act, by 
     employers voluntarily electing to participate in the E-Verify 
     Program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal 
     Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 
     (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) before such date.

     SEC. 304. FRAUD AND MISUSE OF DOCUMENTS.

       Section 1546(b) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``identification 
     document,'' and inserting ``identification document or 
     document meant to establish employment authorization,'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``identification 
     document'' and inserting ``identification document or 
     document meant to establish employment authorization,''; and
       (3) in the matter following paragraph (3) by inserting ``or 
     section 274E(b)'' after ``section 274A(b)''.

     SEC. 305. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Unlawful Employment of Aliens.--Section 274A of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) of subsection (a), by striking 
     ``subsection (b).'' and inserting ``section 274B.''; and
       (2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection 
     (b), by striking ``The requirements referred'' and inserting 
     ``Except as provided in section 274E, the requirements 
     referred''.
       (b) Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices.--
     Section 274B(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1324b(a)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A), by inserting ``including misuse of the 
     verification system as described in section 274E(g)'' after 
     ``referral for a fee,''.

     SEC. 306. PROTECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) Funding Under Agreement.--Effective for fiscal years 
     beginning on or after October 1, 2021, the Commissioner and 
     the Secretary shall ensure that an agreement is in place 
     which shall--
       (1) provide funds to the Commissioner for the full costs of 
     the responsibilities of the Commissioner with respect to 
     employment eligibility verification, including under this 
     title and the amendments made by this title, and including--
       (A) acquiring, installing, and maintaining technological 
     equipment and systems necessary for the fulfillment of such 
     responsibilities, but only that portion of such costs that 
     are attributable exclusively to such responsibilities; and
       (B) responding to individuals who contest a tentative 
     nonconfirmation or administratively appeal a final 
     nonconfirmation provided with respect to employment 
     eligibility verification;
       (2) provide such funds annually in advance of the 
     applicable quarter based on an estimating methodology agreed 
     to by the Commissioner and the Secretary (except in such 
     instances where the delayed enactment of an annual 
     appropriation may preclude such quarterly payments); and
       (3) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of the 
     actual costs incurred and the funds provided under the 
     agreement, which shall be reviewed by the Inspectors General 
     of the Social Security Administration and the Department of 
     Homeland Security.
       (b) Continuation of Employment Verification in Absence of 
     Timely Agreement.--In any case in which the agreement 
     required under subsection (a) for any fiscal year beginning 
     on or after October 1, 2021, has not been reached as of 
     October 1 of such fiscal year, the latest agreement described 
     in such subsection shall be deemed in effect on an interim 
     basis for such fiscal year until such time as an agreement 
     required under subsection (a) is subsequently reached, except 
     that the terms of such interim agreement shall be modified to 
     adjust for inflation and any increase or decrease in the 
     volume of requests under the employment eligibility 
     verification system. In any case in which an interim 
     agreement applies for any fiscal year under this subsection, 
     the Commissioner and the Secretary shall, not later than 
     October 1 of such fiscal year, notify the Committee on Ways 
     and Means, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Finance, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate of the failure to 
     reach the agreement required under subsection (a) for such 
     fiscal year. Until such time as the agreement required under 
     subsection (a) has been reached for such fiscal year, the 
     Commissioner and the Secretary shall, not later than the end 
     of each 90-day period after October 1 of such fiscal year, 
     notify such Committees of the status of negotiations between 
     the Commissioner and the Secretary in order to reach such an 
     agreement.

     SEC. 307. REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTRONIC 
                   EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION SYSTEM.

       Not later than 24 months after the date on which final 
     rules are published under section 309(a), and annually 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
     that includes the following:
       (1) An assessment of the accuracy rates of the responses of 
     the electronic employment verification system established 
     under section 274E of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as 
     inserted by section 301 of this Act (referred to in this 
     section as the ``System''), including tentative and final 
     nonconfirmation notices issued to employment-authorized 
     individuals and confirmation notices issued to individuals 
     who are not employment-authorized.
       (2) An assessment of any challenges faced by persons or 
     entities (including small employers) in utilizing the System.
       (3) An assessment of any challenges faced by employment-
     authorized individuals who are issued tentative or final 
     nonconfirmation notices.
       (4) An assessment of the incidence of unfair immigration-
     related employment practices, as described in section 274E(g) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as inserted by 
     section 301 of this Act, related to the use of the System.
       (5) An assessment of the photo matching and other identity 
     authentication tools, as described in section 274E(a)(4) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act, as inserted by section 
     301 of this Act, including--
       (A) an assessment of the accuracy rates of such tools;
       (B) an assessment of the effectiveness of such tools at 
     preventing identity fraud and other misuse of identifying 
     information;
       (C) an assessment of any challenges faced by persons, 
     entities, or individuals utilizing such tools; and
       (D) an assessment of operation and maintenance costs 
     associated with such tools.
       (6) A summary of the activities and findings of the U.S. 
     Citizenship and Immigrations Services E-Verify Monitoring and 
     Compliance Branch, or any successor office, including--
       (A) the number, types and outcomes of audits, 
     investigations, and other compliance activities initiated by 
     the Branch in the previous year;
       (B) the capacity of the Branch to detect and prevent 
     violations of section 274E(g) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act, as inserted by this Act; and
       (C) an assessment of the degree to which persons and 
     entities misuse the System, including--
       (i) use of the System before an individual's date of hire;
       (ii) failure to provide required notifications to 
     individuals;
       (iii) use of the System to interfere with or otherwise 
     impede individuals' assertions of their rights under other 
     laws; and
       (iv) use of the System for unauthorized purposes; and
       (7) An assessment of the impact of implementation of the 
     System in the agricultural industry and the use of the 
     verification system in agricultural industry hiring and 
     business practices.

     SEC. 308. MODERNIZING AND STREAMLINING THE EMPLOYMENT 
                   ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROCESS.

       Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Commissioner, shall submit to Congress a plan to modernize 
     and streamline the employment eligibility verification 
     process that shall include--
       (1) procedures to allow persons and entities to verify the 
     identity and employment authorization of newly hired 
     individuals where the in-person, physical examination of 
     identity and employment authorization documents is not 
     practicable;
       (2) a proposal to create a simplified employment 
     verification process that allows employers that utilize the 
     employment eligibility verification system established under 
     section 274E of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as 
     inserted by section 301 of this Act, to verify the identity 
     and employment authorization of individuals without also 
     having to complete and retain Form I-9, Employment 
     Eligibility Verification, or any subsequent replacement form; 
     and
       (3) any other proposal that the Secretary determines would 
     simplify the employment eligibility verification process 
     without compromising the integrity or security of the system.

     SEC. 309. RULEMAKING AND PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days prior to the end 
     of the application period defined in section 101(c) of this 
     Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register 
     proposed rules implementing this title and the amendments 
     made by this title. The Secretary shall finalize such rules 
     not later than 180 days after the date of publication.
       (b) Paperwork Reduction Act.--
       (1) In general.--The requirements under chapter 35 of title 
     44, United States Code, (commonly known as the ``Paperwork 
     Reduction

[[Page H1549]]

     Act'') shall apply to any action to implement this title or 
     the amendments made by this title.
       (2) Electronic forms.--All forms designated or established 
     by the Secretary that are necessary to implement this title 
     and the amendments made by this title shall be made available 
     in paper and electronic formats, and shall be designed in 
     such a manner to facilitate electronic completion, storage, 
     and transmittal.
       (3) Limitation on use of forms.--All forms designated or 
     established by the Secretary that are necessary to implement 
     this title, and the amendments made by this title, and any 
     information contained in or appended to such forms, may not 
     be used for purposes other than for enforcement of this Act 
     and any other provision of Federal criminal law.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for 
1 hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective 
designees.
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Jordan) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1603.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 
2021 addresses an issue of critical national importance: the growing 
labor challenges that are damaging the American agriculture sector.
  Solving this issue is paramount to the sustainability of American 
farming. It is also a matter of food security, and thus, national 
security. As domestic food outputs decline, we have become more 
dependent on food imports and more vulnerable to food contamination. 
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these vulnerabilities as travel 
restrictions impacted our food supply chain, and over 500,000 
farmworkers tested positive for the virus.
  With fewer U.S. workers turning to agricultural work as their chosen 
pursuit, most of today's hired farm laborers are foreign-born. 
Unfortunately, our immigration laws have not been updated to reflect 
the needs of our 21st century economy.
  As a result of these outdated laws, undocumented workers now comprise 
about half of the U.S. workforce. But they are living and working in a 
state of uncertainty and fear, which contributes to the destabilization 
of farms across the Nation.
  H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, addresses these 
challenges head on. The bill provides temporary status to current 
farmworkers with an optional path to a green card for those who 
continue to work in agriculture. The bill also addresses the Nation's 
future labor needs by modernizing the H-2A temporary visa program, 
while ensuring fair wages and workplace conditions for all farmworkers.
  This is a bipartisan, balanced solution, one that we should all be 
able to get behind. It is a victory for farmers who have struggled with 
persistent labor shortages for decades.
  It is also a victory for farmworkers who have worked tirelessly in 
the field growing and harvesting food without proper labor protections 
or any guarantee that they can remain in this country. No acceptable 
solution can fail to deal with this reality. That is why H.R. 1603 is 
the right solution.
  Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will vote today in favor of 
providing a seat at America's table for those who have long grown the 
food we serve on it.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Ms. Lofgren of 
California, the chair of the Immigration Subcommittee, for her 
leadership and steadfast commitment to the bipartisan process that led 
to today's vote on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support our farmers and 
our farmworkers by supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McClintock), the ranking member of the Immigration and 
Citizenship Subcommittee.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, it was no accident that when we 
finally won control of the border and cut the flow of low-wage labor, 
Americans saw the strongest wage growth in 40 years, the lowest 
unemployment rate in 50 years, and the lowest poverty rate in 60 years. 
For the first time in decades, the wage gap between rich and poor 
narrowed.
  Now, this bill extends amnesty, green cards, and a path to 
citizenship to somewhere between 1 and 2\1/2\ million illegal 
immigrants now working in agriculture and their families in a manner 
that will depress wages, not just in agriculture, but in every field of 
the economy for years to come.
  Madam Speaker, if you obeyed the law and came here legally to work, 
then you cannot qualify as a certified agricultural worker. You must 
have come here illegally, and you must have worked here illegally for 
at least 1,035 hours in the last 2 years. That is about 13 40-hour 
workweeks a year. You get legal status for yourself and your family for 
the next 5\1/2\ years. You can get indefinite extensions as long as you 
work in agriculture 575 hours or about 14 weeks a year. If you do this 
for between 4 and 8 years and you get a green card, then your family 
gets green cards and you are on a 5-year path to citizenship. The green 
cards give you the right to work in direct competition with American 
workers in any sector of the economy.
  Madam Speaker, let me emphasize that if you came here legally and 
worked the same hours, then you are out of luck. If you obeyed the 
laws, well, you are just a schmuck.
  It utterly escapes me how America's working families are helped by 
flooding the labor market with millions of low-wage workers under this 
program. As these workers get green cards, they are sure to move from 
agriculture to high-paying jobs, ensuring a continuous need for new 
agricultural workers to replace them.
  Between the two immigration bills today, somewhere north of 4 million 
illegal immigrants will qualify for amnesty, legal employment, and a 
path to citizenship as a reward for breaking our laws.
  Is it any wonder that our Border Patrol is now completely overwhelmed 
as millions of economic refugees rush our border in expectation of the 
same rewards?
  This bill would bring a tragic end to the blue-collar economic boom 
that President Trump proudly announced on this floor just a year ago. 
Here is the real tragedy: During the Trump blue-collar boom, the 
poorest Americans were making the greatest gains, and it is precisely 
these American families who will be the most harmed by these amnesty 
bills.
  Trump had their back. Biden is on their backs.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, our country has come through a pandemic, 
and many of us have suffered, but there is one thing that we can be 
grateful for, and that is that the food chain was never disrupted.
  Throughout the pandemic, we could go to the grocery store and there 
would be food in that store. For that, we need to thank the farmers of 
this country. But we also need to thank the farmworkers of this 
country, a majority of whom are undocumented and a majority of whom 
have been here more than 10 years.
  What this bill does and how it was formed is important. I want to 
thank Representatives   Dan Newhouse,  Mike Simpson, Doug LaMalfa, and 
many others on the Republican side of the aisle. I worked with   Jim 
Costa,   Jimmy Panetta, and many others to try to see if we could come 
together to come up with solutions for the challenges that we face in 
farm country.
  We pulled together growers and the farmworkers union to talk together 
for solutions. It took us almost a year of growers and the farmworkers 
union, and Republicans and Democrats, sitting around a table to come up 
with this bill.
  It has basically three provisions.
  The first recognizes that we have had undocumented farmworkers in our

[[Page H1550]]

fields for decades. It allows them to get a certified agricultural 
worker card so that they can work without fear. That is a temporary 
worker status. They can renew it, travel, pay taxes, and continue 
forever in that status. After working for a long period of time, they 
and their families have the option of applying for legal permanent 
residence if they choose.
  The second provision streamlines an existing program, the H-2A 
program, so that we will have a legal supply of farmworkers in the 
future. Both labor and employers agreed to those streamlines.
  The final provision says that if we have a system that works, then we 
need to enforce that system. We are going to have the E-Verify system 
used in agriculture after this bill is fully implemented.
  Who is in favor of this? The Arizona Nursery Association, California 
Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia Milk Producers, Michigan Greenhouse 
Growers Council, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Ohio Produce 
Growers Marketing Association, Texas Association of Dairymen, and 
hundreds of other growers.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a list of Farmers and 
Producers Associations supporting H.R. 1603.

              [From the House Committee on the Judiciary]

     Over 250 Farmers and Producers Associations Support H.R. 1603

       African-American Farmers of California; Ag Valley 
     Cooperative, Non-Stock; AgCountry Farm Credit Services; 
     Agribusiness Henderson County (NC); Agricultural Council of 
     California; Agri-Mark, Inc.; Alabama Farmers Cooperative, 
     Inc.; Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association; Almond 
     Alliance; Amalgamated Sugar Company; American AgCredit; 
     American AgriWomen; American Beekeeping Federation; American 
     Honey Producers Association; American Mushroom Institute; 
     American Pistachio Growers; American Seed Trade Association; 
     American Sheep Industry Association (ASI); AmericanHort; 
     Arizona Dairy Producers Trade Association; Arizona Nursery 
     Association; Associated Milk Producers Inc.; Aurora Organic 
     Dairy; Bluebird Bonanza Farms; Bongards' Creameries; 
     CalChamber.
       California Apple Commission; California Association of Food 
     Banks; California Association of Wheat Growers; California 
     Avocado Commission; California Blueberry Association; 
     California Blueberry Commission; California Canning Peach 
     Association; California Cherry Growers and Industry 
     Association; California Citrus Mutual; California Dairies, 
     Inc.; California Date Commission; California Dried Plum 
     Board; California Farm Bureau Federation; California Fig 
     Advisory Board; California Fresh Fruit Association; 
     California Pear Growers Association; California Seed 
     Association; California State Floral Association; California 
     Strawberry Commission; California Sweet Potato Council; 
     California Tomato Growers Association; California Walnut 
     Commission; California Warehouse Association.
       California Women for Agriculture; Cayuga Milk Ingredients; 
     Center for Dairy Excellence (Pennsylvania); Central Valley Ag 
     Coop; Certified American Grown; Chobani; CHS Inc.; Co-
     Alliance Cooperative, Inc.; CoBank; Colorado Dairy Farmers; 
     Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association; Colorado Potato 
     Legislative Association; Cooperative Milk Producers 
     Association; Cooperative Producers, Inc.; Costa Farms; Dairy 
     Farmers of America, Inc.; Dairy Producers of New Mexico; 
     Dairy Producers of Utah; Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative; 
     Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery; Empire State Potato Growers; 
     Far West Agribusiness Association; Farm Credit East; Farmers 
     Cooperative.
       FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative; Federation of Employers and 
     Workers of America; First District Association; Florida Agri-
     Women; Florida Citrus Mutual; Florida Fruit and Vegetable 
     Association; Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape 
     Association; Florida Strawberry Growers Association; Florida 
     Tomato Exchange; Food Northwest; Food Producers of Idaho; 
     Foremost Farms USA; Frenchman Valley Farmers Cooperative 
     Inc.; Fresh Harvest/Steve Scaroni (CA); Fresno County Farm 
     Bureau (CA); Georgia Green Industry Association; Georgia Milk 
     Producers, Inc.; Georgia Urban Ag Council; Glanbia 
     Nutritionals; Idaho Alfalfa/Clover Seed Commission; Idaho 
     Alfalfa/Clover Seed Growers Association; Idaho Apple 
     Commission; Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry; Idaho 
     Bankers Association; Idaho Cattleman's Association.
       Idaho Dairymen's Association; Idaho Grain Producers 
     Association; Idaho Grower Shippers Association; Idaho 
     Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Idaho Hop Growers Association; 
     Idaho Horticulture Society; Idaho Milk Products; Idaho Mint 
     Growers Association; Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association; 
     Idaho Onion Growers Association; Idaho Potato Commission; 
     Idaho Sugarbeet Growers; Idaho-Oregon Fruit & Vegetable 
     Association; Illinois Green Industry Association; Indiana 
     Nursery and Landscape Association; Indiana Outdoor 
     Maintenance Alliance; International Dairy Foods Association; 
     Iowa Institute for Cooperatives; Iowa Nursery & Landscape 
     Association; Iowa State Dairy Association; Kansas Dairy 
     Association; Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Laurel Springs Nursery, LLC 
     (NC); Leitz Farms LLC/Fred Leitz (MI); Lone Star Milk 
     Producers; Madera County Farm Bureau (CA); Maine Landscape & 
     Nursery Association; Maine Potato Board.
       Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association; 
     Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association, 
     Inc.; Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc.; 
     MBG Marketing; McCain USA Inc.; Michigan Apple Association; 
     Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council; Michigan Milk Producers 
     Association; Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association; Mid 
     Kansas Cooperative; Midwest Apple Improvement Association; 
     Midwest Dairy Coalition; Milk Producers Council; Milk 
     Producers of Idaho; Minnesota Milk Producers Association; 
     Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association; Missouri Green 
     Industry Alliance; Montana Nursery and Landscape Association; 
     Monterey County Farm Bureau (CA); Mount Joy Farmers 
     Cooperative Association; Napa Vinters Association; National 
     All-Jersey Inc.; National Council of Agricultural Employers; 
     National Council of Farmer Cooperatives; National Farmers 
     Union; National Grange; National Milk Producers Federation.
       National Onion Association; National Potato Council; 
     National Young Farmers Coalition; Nebraska Cooperative 
     Council; Nebraska State Dairy Association; New England Apple 
     Council; New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association; New 
     Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association; New Mexico Chapter, 
     Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association; New York Apple 
     Association; New York Farm Bureau; New York State Flower 
     Industries; New York State Vegetable Growers Association; 
     Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association; Nisei Farmers 
     League; North American Blueberry Council; North Carolina 
     Dairy Producers Association; North Carolina Nursery & 
     Landscape Association; North Carolina Potato Association; 
     Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives; Northeast Dairy 
     Producers Association, Inc.; Northern Family Farms LLP, 
     Merrillan, WI; Northern Plains Potato Growers Association; 
     Northwest Ag Cooperatives Council; Northwest Dairy 
     Association/Darigold; Northwest Horticultural Council.
       Ohio Apple Marketing Program; Ohio Dairy Producers 
     Association; Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association; Ohio 
     Landscape Association; Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association; 
     Ohio Produce Growers Marketing Assocation; Oklahoma Nursery & 
     Landscape Association; Olive Growers Council of California; 
     Oneida-Madison Milk Producers Cooperative Association; Oregon 
     Association of Nurseries; Oregon Dairy Farmers Association; 
     Oregon Potato Commission; Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree 
     Association; PennAg Industries Association; Pennsylvania 
     Cooperative Potato Growers; Pennsylvania Landscape and 
     Nursery Association; Plant California Alliance; Potato 
     Growers of Michigan, Inc; Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.; 
     Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania; Reiter 
     Affiliated Companies; Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape 
     Association; San Diego County Farm Bureau (CA); Scioto 
     Cooperative Milk Producers' Association; Select Milk 
     Producers, Inc.; Simplot; South Dakota Association of 
     Cooperatives; South Dakota Dairy Producers; Southeast Milk 
     Inc.; Southern States Cooperative; Stanislaus County Farm 
     Bureau (CA).
       Sunkist Growers, Inc.; Sunmaid Growers of California; 
     Sunsweet Growers Inc.; Tennessee Farmers Cooperative; Texas 
     Agricultural Cooperative Council; Texas Association of 
     Dairymen; Texas Citrus Mutual; Texas Nursery & Landscape 
     Association; Tillamook County Creamery Association; Tree Top; 
     Tulare County Farm Bureau (CA); Turfgrass Producers 
     International; U.S. Apple Association; U.S. Durum Growers 
     Association; United Dairymen of Arizona; United Fresh Produce 
     Association; United Potato Growers of America; Upstate 
     Niagara Cooperative, Inc.; Utah Apple Marketing Board; Utah 
     Horticulture Association; Utah Nursery & Landscape 
     Association; Utah Tart Cherry Marketing Board.
       Valley Fig Growers; Valley Vision (CA); Ventura County 
     Agricultural Association (CA); Vermont Dairy Producers 
     Alliance; Virginia Apple Growers Association; Virginia 
     Nursery & Landscape Association; Virginia State Dairymen's 
     Association; Washington Growers League; Washington State 
     Dairy Federation; Washington State Nursery & Landscape 
     Association; Washington State Potato Commission; Washington 
     State Tree Fruit Association; West Virginia Nursery & 
     Landscape Association; Western Growers Association; Western 
     Plant Health Association; Western States Dairy Producers 
     Association; Western United Dairies; Wine Institute; 
     WineAmerica; Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association; 
     Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association; Yuma Fresh 
     Vegetable Association.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, we have many others, including labor. We 
have the National Association of Counties, United Farm Workers, Service 
Employees International Union, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Conference 
of Catholic Bishops.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a list of organizations 
supporting H.R. 1603.

[[Page H1551]]

  


              [From the House Committee on the Judiciary]

  More Than 100 Organizations, Representing Labor Unions, Immigrants' 
 Rights, and Business Interests Have Expressed Their Support for H.R. 
                                  1603


              Labor Unions and Immigrant Rights Advocates

       United Farm Workers (UFW); UFW Foundation; Farmworker 
     Justice; African Communities Together; America's Voice; 
     American Immigration Lawyers Association; Association of 
     Farmworker Opportunity Programs; Bend the Arc: Jewish Action; 
     Bipartisan Policy Center Action; Bridges Faith Initiative; 
     Carbondale Branch NAACP; CASA; Center for American Progress; 
     Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Central American 
     Resource Center of Northern CA--CARECEN SF; Centro de los 
     Derechos del Migrante, Inc.; Child Labor Coalition; 
     Children's Defense Fund; Church World Service; El Colectivo 
     NC; Faith in Public Life; Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy 
     Project--FLAP--FWD.us; Greater New York Labor-Religion 
     Coalition; Health Outreach Partners; Hispanic Federation; 
     Immigrant Worker Project--Centro San Jose; Immigration Hub.
       Justice for Migrant Women; Justice in Motion; La Union del 
     Pueblo Entero; Latino Service Center; Leadership Conference 
     of Women Religious; Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family 
     Services; LIUNA; LULAC; MI Familia Vota; Migrant Legal Aid 
     (Michigan); MomsRising/MamasConPoder; NAACP; National 
     Consumers League; National Domestic Workers Alliance; 
     National Immigration Forum; NC Justice Center; NETWORK Lobby 
     For Catholic Social Justice; New American Economy; Ohio 
     Immigrant Alliance; Oxfam America; PCUN; Service Employees 
     International Union (SEIU); The Advocates for Human Rights; 
     The Foundation for Farmworkers; The LIBRE Initiative; U.S. 
     Hispanic Leadership Institute; UndocuBlack Network; USHLI.


              Business, Community, and Other Organizations

       Americans for Prosperity; National Association of Counties 
     (NACo); National Association of State Departments of 
     Agriculture (NASDA); National Education Association (NEA); 
     Maryland Pesticide Education Network; PhDTrekkers; Rochelle 
     Township High School; South Central Idaho Hispanic Chamber of 
     Commerce; Union for Reform Judaism; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; 
     U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; U.S. Hispanic Chamber of 
     Commerce.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I ask that we come together and pass this 
bill. America will be stronger and better if we do.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) to control the remainder of 
the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California will control 
the time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).
  Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, while the Biden inhumane border crisis 
rages on the southern border, we are here today, once again, debating 
amnesty for illegal aliens.
  Promising amnesty to those who are already here illegally encourages 
more aliens to come illegally. All data for the last 35 years shows 
that there is this correlative relationship.
  Instead of voting on amnesty, we should be voting on real reforms to 
close loopholes and remove incentives for aliens to come here 
illegally. That is why I reintroduced the Fund and Complete the Border 
Wall Act earlier this year and introduced the Stopping Border Surges 
Act earlier this week. These bills include real reforms that will have 
real impacts.
  The Stopping Border Surges Act fixes problems caused by the Flores 
settlement agreement that prevents DHS from detaining family units for 
more than 20 days, ensures that unaccompanied alien children are 
quickly and safely returned home, and promotes increased integrity in 
the asylum system.
  This bill, however, will actually cause more problems than it will 
solve. It has serious flaws that will lead to fraud and abuse.
  This bill gives the Secretary broad authority to waive grounds of 
inadmissibility for humanitarian purposes, family unity, or because the 
waiver is otherwise in the public interest. What that means is that 
convicted criminals will have an opportunity to gain amnesty.
  This bill invites fraudulent applications because under this bill, 
Madam Speaker, if you apply for amnesty, your receipt serves as your 
authorization to work. All you have to do is apply for the amnesty and 
you will be able to work legally. There is no way that this will not 
lead to fraudulent filings.
  This bill establishes grant programs that use taxpayer dollars to 
help illegal aliens apply for amnesty. Instead of spending taxpayer 
dollars to facilitate amnesty, we should focus on reducing the deficit. 
This bill does nothing to secure the border or close loopholes in our 
immigration laws that encourage illegal immigration.
  Now, I address something that was said in the last debate. One of the 
Representatives said that no Republican has taken her up on going to 
the border. That is not accurate. When she announced that in the 
Judiciary Committee, I said that I will go with you, that I want to go 
with you.
  We agreed I would go. Our staffs arranged it. My flight reservations 
were made, and within about 3 days before going, I was told that there 
is no more room for you on this trip.
  So, it wasn't accurate to say that no Republican has taken her up on 
it. I took her up on it.
  I will tell you this, Madam Speaker, when the Speaker says the reason 
to support the previous bill is that 75 percent of Americans support 
amnesty, well, if you are going to rely on polling data, I would inform 
you that a recent poll said that 75 percent of Americans support the 
use of voter ID. Let's go ahead and fix that then if we are going to 
rely on voting information to pass good policy.
  Let's reinstitute voter ID, and let's vote ``no'' on this bill.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia).
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
bill. Agricultural workers are crucial to our economy, and this bill 
would establish a legal and reliable farm workforce.
  I support this bill because it recognizes the humanity--yes, the 
humanity--of farmworkers and their families.
  This is personal to me. I grew up poor, picking cotton in the fields 
of south Texas. I can testify firsthand about the incredibly hard, 
backbreaking work that farmworkers do, especially in the heat of the 
south Texas sun. Not much seems to have changed since I worked in the 
fields. Things pretty much still are handled about the same.
  This bill is long overdue and would provide farmworkers with 
important worker protections and legal rights that I never had and that 
they desperately need today. Texas is home to nearly 250,000 farms, and 
the need for a strong agricultural workforce is vital. It is vital to 
Texas; it is vital to this country; and it is vital to this world.
  Madam Speaker, I urge passage.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Roy).
  Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I hear a lot from my colleagues on the other side of 
the aisle that this is not how people should be treated, whether it was 
with respect to the first broader amnesty bill, with respect to the 
Dreamers, or whether it is this bill with respect to farmworkers, which 
is, in fact, an amnesty bill. But the fact of the matter is that nobody 
on this side of the aisle and nobody I know in Texas disagrees that the 
system is broken and that we need to make sure that people are treated 
fairly and treated appropriately. Nobody disagrees with that.
  The problem is that what we are doing is putting this bill in front 
of any kind of enforcement mechanisms that will prevent the continued 
abuse of human beings because we refuse to do our actual job under the 
Constitution of the United States to secure our border.
  We are just refusing to do it, and then we pass legislation in the 
name of helping people who, yes, are stuck in a system because we 
created this system because it is so badly broken. You then create the 
magnet, Madam Speaker, that empowers cartels and continues the vicious 
cycle.

  Today, when this passes off the floor, there will be a lot of 
backslapping and congratulations: Isn't this great, isn't this awesome, 
and aren't we so proud of ourselves for what we are doing for these 
immigrants, these workers?
  But we are not doing a darn thing to actually fix the system that 
prevents the flow, prevents the danger, prevents the cartels, prevents 
the abuses, and

[[Page H1552]]

prevents essentially the indentured servitude that this bill would 
actually create for the farmworkers in question, leaving them stuck 
with Band-Aids of having to work certain hours as farmworkers, 
continuing the process, by the way, while we continue to encourage sex 
trafficking, human trafficking, crimes, violations, and children being 
abused.
  As I said before, as we sit here in this august body--not actually 
amending, by the way, just bloviating--while we are sitting here, some 
little girl is getting raped in Mexico on a journey because of the 
pressure that we are causing by empowering cartels to do it. That is 
occurring, and we are just whistling, and we are just sitting here, 
burying our head in the sand.
  Like I said, go give the press conferences and go pat ourselves on 
the back as a body for being pro-immigrant. How is it pro-immigrant to 
have wide-open borders being exploited by cartels, wide-open borders 
with narcotics coming across, and wide-open borders with human beings 
coming across it?
  By the way, when the media says this Biden crisis has ended, if they 
ever acknowledge it exists, it will be because numbers are going down 
in facilities because catching and releasing is going up. That is what 
is going to occur.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Texas an 
additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, that is what is going to occur. My fellow 
citizens back home in Texas and Americans, when those numbers go down 
in facilities, don't kid yourselves; illegal immigration will continue.
  They will be catching and releasing illegal immigrants. They will be 
dropping numbers down at facilities. They will close the FEMA facility 
in Midland. We will have as much illegal immigration as we have right 
now, and the other side will claim: Oh, the crisis is going down.
  That is what is coming at us. And today, we are passing amnesty 
instead of securing the border of the United States.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Arizona (Mr. Stanton).
  Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler and Chairwoman 
Lofgren for their incredible leadership on this important bill.
  I rise in support of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a 
bipartisan bill that will improve the H-2A agricultural visa program to 
make it easier for Arizona farmers to meet their workforce needs while 
also providing a path for agricultural workers to earn legal status.
  Throughout this pandemic, farmworkers have been on the front lines 
playing a critical role in feeding America's families. They deserve the 
opportunity to take steps toward legal status in this country. It is 
the right thing to do for them and it is the right thing to do to 
advance our farm industry.
  This bill is good for Arizona's economy--Arizona, the birth place of 
Cesar Chavez--where agribusiness is a $23 billion-a-year industry. Our 
State's crops cannot be left to rot in the ground because we lack 
access to a stable workforce.
  Passing this bill today brings us one step closer to ensuring that 
farmers have the stable workforce they need and that farmworkers are 
recognized for all the work they do for us every day.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Hice).
  Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
California for yielding.
  It is stunning to me that we are still wrestling through these type 
of issues. We have been watching over the last few months one radical 
piece of legislation after another and our country is beginning to 
suffer. We are watching gas prices go up, skyrocketing. We are still 
shutting businesses down. We are still seeing schools closed. We are 
watching our energy independence be reversed.
  Madam Speaker, it is one horrible bill, one horrible policy after 
another. And now we are watching a catastrophe on our southern border, 
and my friends on the other side of the aisle appear to not care what 
is happening at the southern border.
  We haven't honestly called it for what it is: a disaster.
  We are not willing to look at the national security issues of it. We 
are not willing to look at the danger that is occurring, the cartels, 
the human trafficking, the drug trafficking, the criminals who, 
perhaps, are coming across our border, the terrorists who may be coming 
across our border.
  And now what are we doing?
  We are looking at another outrageous piece of legislation that says: 
if you come work on a farm, we are going to give you amnesty. It 
doesn't matter what your background. It doesn't matter who you are.
  At the same time, we even have here around Capitol Hill fences 
guarding us, guarding the American people from the people's House, but 
we are going to open up our borders for who knows who to come marching 
through.
  Now we have a piece of legislation that says: just come work on a 
farm and we are going to give you amnesty.
  Madam Speaker, 1.5 million people are going to become citizens for 
working minimal time on farms.
  This is going to shield criminals. They are just going to come across 
the border, claim amnesty, come work on a farm, and before long, they 
are legal citizens here.
  We don't know who these people are. We don't know what their 
intentions are, but we are going to grant them amnesty through this 
bill. It is nonsense. It is frightening. It is irresponsible. It is 
endangering American lives. It is encouraging even more disaster and 
danger on our southern border.
  It makes absolutely zero sense for us to proceed with this type of 
irresponsible legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote against 
this.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as I stood on the floor of the House 
for H.R. 6, this is not amnesty. I thank the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lofgren) for her leadership, and Mr. Nadler as well.
  Madam Speaker, let me explain to you that under the American Dream 
and Promise Act, which immigrants are eligible for, they would have 
43,500 homes and $340 million in mortgage payments.
  Today, I rise in support of H.R. 1603 because this would allow 
farmworkers, agricultural workers, to be able to gain legal status and 
to be able to seek a certified agricultural worker status.
  Dr. Ruiz, our colleague, indicated that he was raised by farmworkers. 
He saw the bent hands, the bent banks, and the broken hands, and he saw 
the patriotism. This is not amnesty. I will tell you what it is not. It 
is not the Trump policy of caging children in cages. It is not the 
Trump policy of turning young 11-year-olds back across the border to be 
raped.
  I hope my colleagues who are talking about abortion and talking about 
rape voted for the Violence Again Women Act to really protect immigrant 
women.
  I rise to support this legislation because it will provide dignity, 
opportunity for an enhanced economic engine, as the farmworkers take 
certified status because they can do it over and over again.
  Where is the bread on our table coming from?
  The hardworking farmworkers who are out there every day in these 
fields working to provide for the American people and the people around 
the world.
  We are the breadbasket of the world and, because of their work, we 
are able to feed many. So I rise in enthusiastic support. I wish my 
colleagues would have been as enthusiastic and as angry about caging 
children as they are today about us fixing the immigration system.
  Madam Speaker, I ask for support of H.R. 1603.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1603, the bipartisan 
``Farm Workforce Modernization Act,'' which will stabilize the 
agricultural sector and preserve our rural heritage by ensuring that 
farmers can meet their labor needs well into the future.
  First, the bill establishes a program for agricultural workers in the 
United States (and their spouses and minor children) to earn legal 
status through continued agricultural employment.

[[Page H1553]]

  Specifically, the bill creates a process for farm workers to seek 
Certified Agricultural Worker status, a temporary status for those who 
have worked at least 180 days in agriculture over the prior 2-year 
period.
  Certified Agricultural Worker status can be renewed indefinitely with 
continued farm work (at least 100 days per year).
  Applicants must undergo background checks and pass strict criminal 
and national security bars.
  Dependent status is available for spouses and minor children.
  The bill does not require workers to do or apply for anything else in 
order to stay and work in the United States.
  But long-term workers who want to stay have the option of earning a 
path to lawful permanent residence by paying a $1,000 fine and engaging 
additional agricultural work, as follows:
  1. Workers with 10 years of agricultural work prior to the date of 
enactment must complete 4 additional years of such work.
  2. Workers with less than 10 years of agricultural work prior to the 
date of enactment must complete 8 additional years of such work.
  The Farmworkers Movement in this country was started and led by a 
great leader, Cesar Chavez who said:

       We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about 
     progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must 
     be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of 
     others, for their sakes and for our own.

  The Texas Farm Workers Union (``TFWU'') was established by Antonio 
Orendain and farmworker leaders of the Rio Grande Valley active with 
the United Farm Workers (UFW) after a disagreement with UFW leadership 
over direction of a melon strike in south McAllen, TX in 1975.
  In August 1975, nearly ten years after he began organizing farm 
workers for the United Farm Workers in the Rio Grande Valley of South 
Texas.
  Antonio Orendain worked for Cesar Chavez in the Chicago UFW national 
grape and lettuce boycott office.
  Farmworkers undertake some of the toughest jobs in America.
  They have earned the opportunity to build their lives without the 
fear of being uprooted from their families and their communities.
  The bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act empowers the economic 
and physical well-being of immigrant families while providing much-
needed labor security for our nation's farms.
  The agricultural industry relies on the labor of 2.4 million 
farmworkers--about half of whom are undocumented.
  This bill would protect thousands of families from deportation.
  This is a big step in making our immigration system more humane and 
more efficient.
  I know the farming and agricultural communities in the state of Texas 
farm and my district borders communities that farm.
  What we are doing here is the right thing and attempting to reinforce 
the breadbasket that the United States happens to be to the world.
  I have heard the clamoring of farm workers for a very long time but I 
have also heard the need for fairness and the improvement of conditions 
that they are working in with adequate compensation.
  This bill regularizes people who want to be regularized and who want 
to contribute to helping the agricultural industry in this great 
nation.
  I would like to thank my Judiciary Committee colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle, and in particular, Chairman Nadler and Subcommittee 
Chairwoman Lofgren, for their work in shepherding this important 
legislation to the floor.
  I am reminded of our tenure here on the Judiciary Committee and our 
record of being fair and bipartisan on immigration reform for at least 
2 decades.
  I urge all members to join me in voting for H.R. 1603, the Farm 
Workforce Modernization Act of 2021.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I can assure the gentlewoman from Texas that we are outraged by the 
fact that this administration's policies and pronouncements have 
encouraged thousands upon thousands of children to be placed on that 
trail of terror in the hands of Mexican criminal cartels and brought 
here on the expectation of admission, an expectation that this 
administration is fulfilling.
  I must also assure the gentlewoman that this certainly is an amnesty 
bill. It allows anyone who is here illegally, who can claim to have 
worked the equivalent of 13 40-hour weeks over 2 years, legal status, 
amnesty. The documentation can be as little as having a friend vouch 
for them.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me say that we can respect each other's 
differences, and I thank the gentleman for explaining that. Amnesty is 
not related to people working to earn their status, and that is what 
this bill does, just as the DACA bill does. They earn their status.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, reclaiming my time.
  This only applies to illegal aliens. If you are legally here, obeying 
our laws, you are out of luck with this bill. What this bill says is, 
if you are here illegally and can have a friend vouch for you that you 
worked 1,000 hours over the last 2 years in agriculture--again, that is 
the equivalent of 13 40-hour weeks--you get legal status.
  This is one of the many reasons why we are seeing this response from 
around the world now flooding our southern border.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Indiana (Mrs. Spartz).
  Mrs. SPARTZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, it is unfortunate that Congress cannot have a serious 
conversation about immigration because we do actually have a real 
problem. We have a real crisis at the border. It is a humanitarian 
crisis, the Wild West. We are a country of laws.
  We have a problem with illegal immigration. It needs to be 
streamlined to better serve our national interests. We have problems 
with visa processes, and we can do better.
  But, unfortunately, we are passing a lot of bills that probably will 
not see the light of day in the Senate, that are not going to become 
legislation. We do grandstanding drama and constant rhetoric, and it is 
very unfortunate for me because the American people are tired of our 
institution not doing its work, because we are policymakers and we are 
legislators and we have to work on policy, not on political drama.
  So as a member of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, I 
encourage my colleagues to actually start working in committees on 
legislation, not sending legislation from the Speaker's office to the 
floor, but actually have reforms and work at it because our people 
deserve it and our people deserve to have a branch that works for the 
people, not having the executive and judicial branches doing our 
functions.
  So I hope we will have some very constructive and serious 
conversation on immigration, and I would be happy to help with it, but 
these piecemeal approaches are not going to work and are not good for 
our country.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Farm Workforce 
Modernization Act.
  For years, my constituents have been asking me to fix our Nation's 
broken immigration system. They have told me that the shortage of legal 
workers in agriculture is wreaking havoc on our farmers in rural 
communities.
  That is why I joined with my good friends, Representatives Newhouse, 
Diaz-Balart, and LaMalfa to come up with a bipartisan solution to this 
problem. Along with Chairwoman Lofgren and other Democratic colleagues, 
we crafted a bill to create a merit-based agricultural immigration 
system for our Nation's food producers, and make much-needed reforms in 
the H-2A program.
  But don't just take my word for it. There are over 250 agricultural 
industry groups from all across America that have written to Congress 
to support this bill. From potatoes and dairy in my district to citrus 
and strawberries in Florida and California, growers agree that this 
bill is good for agriculture and good for our country.
  But I want to take a moment to address the current situation on our 
southern border. What is happening there is a crisis and we must 
address it. We all realize that. Unfortunately, years of congressional 
inaction has made ``immigration'' a toxic word. This bill is not about 
what is happening on the border, but that seems to be what all of the 
debate is about--

[[Page H1554]]

what is happening at the southern border.
  This bill is not amnesty. It does not grant anybody amnesty. It 
allows individuals to get right with the law and to become part of the 
legal workforce in the United States. It is about providing a stable 
legal workforce for the people who put food on our tables.
  This isn't a perfect bill. No one would agree that it is. But it is a 
very good compromise that actually gives us a chance to solve a real 
problem for our constituents. That is why I came to Congress, to do 
those things, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, no one disputes that this bill is a 
huge windfall to big agriculture. The problem is that it comes at the 
expense of American workers.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Escobar).
  Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

  I will be very clear, Madam Speaker. Farmworkers do back-breaking 
work under the scorching sun or unbearable cold to make sure that all 
of us have food on our table. Whether they are sick, feeling well, 
whether they have family members who are not feeling well, they go to 
work to make sure we have what we need, even, and almost especially, 
during the era of COVID.
  It is incredible that anyone would stand in the way of having these 
incredible people finally have a pathway to legalization.
  The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a piece of legislation that 
is long overdue. I have one thing to say to those who would oppose 
legislation for this population, even though they benefit from the 
labor of this population: ``they don't have shame,'' ``no tienen 
verguenza.''
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, while chaos reigns on the border, we have 
another Democrat jam job before us today.
  I would turn to the committee ranking member, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McClintock), for a colloquy.
  Did the gentleman see these bills in the committee?
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Not this session, no.
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, reclaiming my time.
  These bills did not come before this committee. For someone like 
myself, who has just joined the committee, I did not even have a chance 
to be able to partake in this bill.
  I wanted to express concerns especially about the H-2A provision in 
this bill because I am familiar--there is a parallel to the J-1 visas 
that we use in northern Wisconsin in the resort area. They are 
temporary visas. And what we found over the years as employers is that 
people would figure out how to use the J-1 visa to get into the 
country, and then go job shopping from there.
  The H-2A is susceptible to the same thing. And due to lax 
enforcement, we could all live with it if there was good enforcement in 
America, but there is not good enforcement of our laws here in the 
United States.
  So let's cut to the chase here. The gentleman from California touched 
on this very well. These bills devalue American workers' labor.
  In 2019, the greatest increase in wages for people who are in the 
lower income brackets happened, the greatest increases in decades.
  I just say to all of those working-class Americans out there: Make no 
mistake, these bills today are another clear message that you are 
viewed as replaceable.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Speaker of the House.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I salute the gentleman for the excellent 
work of his committee, bringing this important legislation, H.R. 1603, 
the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to the floor. I thank the 
chairman for this critical victory for farmworkers and growers, who 
have come together in support of this legislation, this legislation 
which ensures that America can continue to feed the world.
  Thank you to Chair Zoe Lofgren, chair of the Subcommittee on 
Immigration and Citizenship, for her years of relentless leadership on 
behalf of farmworkers, without which this bill would not be possible. I 
sang her praises earlier as a former teacher of immigration, 
immigration lawyer, and chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration and 
Citizenship. She knows of what she legislates.
  I think that it is clear to see there are a number of Californians 
involved in this. I want to salute Mr. Costa and Mr. Carbajal, who are 
an important part of this. They represent farmland in California. They 
know the needs of the workers. They respect the involvement of the 
growers.
  This, again, is a wonderful bill. We salute many Members, 
representing every corner of the country, whose vision and values have 
strengthened this bill that has truly been a caucus- and Congress-wide 
effort.
  Thank you to the United Farm Workers for their outstanding organizing 
which made this possible. In addition to our work internally, their 
outside mobilization is so important.
  We are also inspired by the immortal words of our beloved Dolores 
Huerta: ``Yes, we can,'' ``Si, se puede.'' Yes, we can; yes, we will; 
and, yes, we are doing it. It was an honor last year at this time to 
celebrate her 90th birthday in the Rayburn Room, the last event we had 
before COVID took over. So here we are a year later. This is probably a 
better celebration.
  Passing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and doing so on a 
bipartisan basis was a source of pride in the last Congress, and it is 
now. With a Democratic majority in the Senate and President Biden in 
the White House, when we pass it again, it is with better assurance 
that it will become law.
  The bill honors the millions of farmworkers who are the backbone of 
our economy, quietly persevering through harsh working conditions and 
low wages as they power the farm economy and put food on our tables.
  As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has written:

       Recognizing the dignity of work of farmworkers and their 
     families is a central concern.
       Farmworkers produce the food that we eat and contribute to 
     the care of our community.

  This legislation, while long overdue, is urgently needed now, in 
light of the coronavirus crisis, which is forcing our essential 
farmworkers to live and work under a cloud of fear and uncertainty 
about their health and their jobs.
  At the same time, the pandemic has accelerated a labor crisis in the 
farm economy that endangers farmers and producers and requires action. 
This action today is an agreement between the growers and the 
farmworkers.
  This legislation supports workers and the farm economy with strong, 
smart reforms.
  This bill provides a path to legalization for more than one million 
currently undocumented farmworkers. No one who works to feed our 
country should be condemned to permanent second-class status.
  This bill establishes the agricultural workforce of the future by 
modernizing the H-2A initiative to ensure that farms have stable, 
secure workforces.
  Critically, it demands fair, humane treatment for farmworkers by 
securing fairness in pay, improving access to quality housing, and 
ensuring robust safety and heat illness protections.
  Any of us who have visited farmworkers in the fields--and some of our 
Members have been farmworkers themselves or children of farmworkers--
know the environment, the heat, the chemicals, and the rest, are a 
challenge.
  This legislation is a critical step forward for our workers, for our 
growers, and the farm economy, but our work is not done.
  Congress will continue to stabilize the farm economy, protect workers 
and families, and maintain America's agricultural preeminence in the 
world.
  Under the leadership of President Biden, we will continue our work to 
fundamentally, fully fix our broken immigration system so that we can 
honor

[[Page H1555]]

America's proud immigrant heritage and advance a better future for all.
  Earlier, I quoted President Reagan. I want to do so again more fully. 
Earlier, when I spoke on the floor about Dreamers, I did so for 8 hours 
and 6 minutes. I promised earlier today to be shorter, and so I didn't 
give as much of President Reagan's speech.
  This is what he said: ``And since this is the last speech that I will 
give as President, I think it's fitting to leave one final thought, an 
observation about a country which I love.''
  He went on to talk about the Statue of Liberty, Madam Speaker. He 
said: ``The torch of Lady Liberty symbolizes our freedom and represents 
our heritage, the compact with our parents, our grandparents, and our 
ancestors. It is that lady who gives us our great and special place in 
the world. For it's the great life force of each generation of new 
Americans that guarantees that America's triumph shall continue 
unsurpassed into the next century and beyond. Other countries may seek 
to compete with us; but in one vital area, as a beacon of freedom and 
opportunity that draws the people of the world, no country on Earth 
comes close.''
  As I said earlier, he said: ``This, I believe, is one of the most 
important sources of America's greatness. We lead the world because, 
unique among nations, we draw our people--our strength--from every 
country and every corner of the world. And by doing so we continuously 
renew and enrich our Nation. While other countries cling to the stale 
past, here in America we breathe life into dreams. We create the 
future, and the world follows us into tomorrow. Thanks to each wave''--
President Reagan said--``Thanks to each wave of new arrivals to this 
land of opportunity, we're a Nation forever young, forever bursting 
with energy and new ideas, and always on the cutting edge, always 
leading the world to the next frontier. This quality is vital to our 
future as a Nation. If we ever closed the door to new Americans, our 
leadership in the world would soon be lost.''

  This being the last speech that I will give as President, President 
Reagan said, ``I think it's fitting to leave one final thought, an 
observation about a country which I love.''
  As we remember the words of President Reagan, I also recall the words 
of the late Cesar Chavez, whose birthday we celebrate later this month. 
He said: ``To make a great dream come true, the first requirement is a 
great capacity to dream; the second is persistence.''
  Thanks to all of our bipartisan Members for their persistence on this 
legislation for which I urge a strong bipartisan ``aye'' vote.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I would remind this Speaker that Cesar 
Chavez was one of the most outspoken adversaries to illegal 
immigration, precisely because he knew what that did to depress the 
wages of the legal immigrants that he represented through the United 
Farm Workers.
  I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), 
the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, as Republican leader of 
the House Committee on Agriculture, I have the opportunity to speak 
with producers nationwide, and, overwhelmingly, they say the number one 
issue facing the industry is the lack of a reliable, legal workforce.
  When it comes to farm labor, our immigration system is broken and in 
desperate need of repair.
  The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a step in the right 
direction. I will vote ``yes'' today, but to be clear, the bill is 
imperfect and must be improved before becoming law.
  It will not fully address the shortage of legal agricultural workers 
and may leave our farmers, ranchers, and especially our dairies, with 
critical unmet needs.
  I filed an amendment that would have addressed these deficiencies 
that was endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Though not 
made in order, I hope that amendment will serve as a starting point in 
the Senate for necessary improvements.
  Americans are blessed with a safe, abundant, and affordable food 
supply. But how long will that food supply last if we do not have an 
adequate agricultural workforce?
  This may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our 
immigration laws. Therefore, we must get it right.
  Madam Speaker, if we fail to address the agricultural workforce, we 
will have food insecurity, and that will lead to national insecurity.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Newhouse).
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, let me be blunt: there is a crisis at 
our southern border. You have heard about it from my Republican 
colleagues and I over the past few days. Just this year, more than 
200,000 people have illegally crossed our border, including four known 
terrorists.
  We must do something to stop this disturbing trend. The U.S. is a 
country of law and order. We must continue working to reform our broken 
immigration laws and enhance our border security.
  That is exactly what this legislation will do. The Farm Workforce 
Modernization Act is a truly bipartisan bill, negotiated over many 
months by agriculture and labor representatives alike, to ensure those 
who wish to can come to our country, abide by our laws and contribute 
to our farms, ranches, and local communities.
  The bill creates an employment- and merit-based program for foreign 
workers to legally work in agriculture, eliminating incentives for 
illegal migration and strengthening both our national security and our 
national food supply chain.
  This legislation streamlines our H-2A guest worker program, giving 
employers more flexibility and allowing access for year-round 
agriculture sectors like dairy and horticulture.
  Finally, the bill phases in E-Verify. So, once these laws are in 
place, we can enforce them and ensure that workers maintain a legal 
work status.
  Madam Speaker, I come from one of the most productive agricultural 
regions in the world, where many of our crops are labor intensive. As 
much as producers would prefer to hire American workers to work in 
their fields, in their orchards, and in their dairies, there simply 
isn't enough interest among domestic workers to get these jobs done.
  For decades, Congress has attempted to pass comprehensive immigration 
reform to address our agricultural workforce, but we have been 
unsuccessful. This bill is the targeted, bipartisan solution our 
farmers and ranchers need.
  I want to thank Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Simpson, Mr. 
LaMalfa, and many others. I urge my colleagues to support this bill so 
we can get it to the President's desk for America's agricultural 
industry.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California 
(Mr. LaMalfa).
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, let's acknowledge the reality of what we 
have right now, a big mess of a situation that hasn't been cured in 
several decades.
  We used to have a system of invited workers, called the bracero 
program. Political battling has caused no new fix in all of this time. 
Similarly, this bill allows good workers, decent people, to get right 
with the law, with background checks, with restitution, and 
requirements to stay right with their ag worker status.
  The same bill passed this House through committee last Congress with 
good bipartisan support. It has benchmarks that must be met by workers 
who are already here with history in ag, not opening the floodgates to 
more illegal entry and benefits. More recent entrants are required to 
remain in ag work for 8 additional years to remain eligible. We have 
caps in this bill to the current approximately 700,000 workers already 
here, with capped ratchets if more are needed.
  It establishes an E-Verify for ag, with strong biometric screening 
for all these certified ag workers, something we have never had under 
E-Verify.
  It codifies in law many of the pieces adopted in the Trump 
administration's H-2A rule, including staggered H-2A and making it much 
less burdensome for farmers to get these workers, especially dairy, 
which needs year-round workers and cannot have it now.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

[[Page H1556]]

  

  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, what this bill is not is amnesty, even 
though it may be dismissed as such. Americans have demonstrated they 
will not step forward to do this work, not with the nonworking benefits 
they can already access. Frequent anecdotes show that those that might, 
frequently quit after a few days because the work is too hard, even at 
dramatically increased wages.
  This law does not hand out citizenship or allow anyone to cut ahead 
in line to apply for it. The same goes for green cards. No express lane 
for green cards, not even government benefit eligibility.
  This is simply a way to get right with the law, have a capped pool of 
already in-place ag workers with legal status. That is better for the 
worker, the farmer, and for our system of ID'ing who is in this country 
currently. It is a vast improvement over what we have now.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I would just point out, the last 30 
seconds was on the time of the gentleman from New York. I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Panetta).
  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act 
would simply protect our existing farmworkers and perpetuate an 
enduring farm workforce. It would do that by modernizing and 
streamlining our H-2A visa system and by allowing those who are willing 
to come here to stay here if they continue to work here in agriculture.
  Now, this bill is a bipartisan bill. It is the right bill because it 
was a negotiated bill. No, it is not the perfect bill, but it is the 
necessary bill that was formulated after months and months of difficult 
talks between Democrats and Republicans and farmers and farmworkers.
  Now, during those discussions, unlike what we are hearing today, we 
put negative politics aside and we focused on the positive policies for 
the people who are part of the solution to the number one problem for 
our farmers. We don't have a domestic workforce willing to do ag labor, 
so farmers are reliant on immigrants to harvest their products.
  That is why, if we pass this bill today and the Senate does its job 
tomorrow, farmers will have a predictable and dependable workforce, 
farmworkers will get the legality and the dignity that they deserve, 
and we in Congress will have done our job for our agriculture and for 
our Nation that both rely on immigrants for our future.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Costa).
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the bipartisan Farm 
Workforce Modernization Act, which is an opportunity to provide 
meaningful reform that we have been waiting for, for years.
  This measure is supported by a bipartisan coalition that includes not 
only the United Farm Workers and other labor organizations, but a 
majority of farm organizations across the country. What this is really 
about is an opportunity to fix a part of a broken immigration system.
  I want to thank not only Chairman Nadler, but also Chairwoman Zoe 
Lofgren and   Dan Newhouse for the hard work that they have done to 
bring this legislation to the floor, bipartisan support on both sides 
of the aisle.
  Let me begin with the fact that food is a national security issue. It 
is a national security issue. Less than 5 percent of America's 
population is directly involved in the production of food and fiber 
that feeds our Nation. That partnership is between farmworkers and 
farmers and dairy men and women.
  I know because my family represents a third-generation family. 
Farmworkers are some of the hardest working individuals you will ever 
meet. I know because I worked side by side for years growing up on my 
family's farm.
  It is simply wrong that they be subject to living and working under a 
shadow of uncertainty and fear of being deported. That is not right.
  This bill is not about the border. The border has been a problem for 
decades. It is not about amnesty. This is an earned basis to have legal 
status in America. I have spoken with the hardworking men and women and 
their young children who work to put food on America's dinner table, 
and I've seen the hope in their eyes, the hope that we can pass this 
legislation to provide them legal status, hope for a normal life free 
of the dread of family separation that too often happens with 
deportation that hangs over them every day when they go to work, hope 
for a chance to change their reality and reshape their story.
  This measure involves protections. It involves E-Verify. It involves 
an opportunity to reform an H-2A program for a reliable workforce for 
American agriculture. We owe it to the individuals who do so much for 
us. I ask that you support this legislation.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Davidson).
  Mr. DAVIDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill.
  It purports to solve an important problem for our country's ag 
workforce, for our ag community, and for food security for our country, 
but it exploits a bigger problem and a real emergency by creating a 
gaping hole in our broken immigration system. Rather than address the 
root issue with our immigration laws, it exploits them.
  Frankly, I don't know how many noncitizens some of my colleagues 
represent. I came here to represent American citizens. This bill 
disadvantages American citizens, and it disadvantages people who follow 
our admittedly broken immigration laws and come here legally, and it 
rewards people who come here illegally.
  It is going to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis we see at the 
border instead of cure it. It is not a remedy; it is a harm. It is a 
harm to American citizenship, which should be treasured. We do welcome 
new Americans. We are unequaled in the world. No country welcomes more 
new citizens per year than the United States of America.
  We will continue to be the land of opportunity, but we can only do 
that if we protect the cherished value of American citizenship. 
Citizenship matters. We cannot destroy it by adopting these policies. I 
plead that people oppose it.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ruiz).
  Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus rise 
in support of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
  My parents were farmworkers who worked tirelessly day in and day out 
with calloused hands and tired backs to give me, their children, 
opportunities that they never had.
  Farmworkers like my parents and like many of my constituents back 
home in the Coachella Valley taught me the value of hard work, 
resiliency, and taking care of one another.

  Farmworkers are getting infected and dying from COVID-19 at a much 
higher rate than the general public. They are literally dying to feed 
you, give you the nutrients you need to prevent COVID-19 and to heal 
from COVID-19.
  We must protect and secure our food supply chain. We must pass the 
bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act to stabilize our food 
supply chain and ensure that farmers can meet their future labor needs.
  The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is proud to work with Chair Zoe 
Lofgren and Congressman   Jimmy Panetta, as well as CHC members Salud 
Carbajal and   Jim Costa, and other Members to get the bill signed into 
law.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California will control 
the time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach).
  Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1603 subjects H-2A employers to a 
private right of action in Federal court for the first time ever in the 
history of the H-2A program. The bill does so by applying the right of 
action standard in the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker 
Protection Act, or MSPA, to H-2A employers.

[[Page H1557]]

  My motion to recommit today simply provides that when an H-2A 
employer faces an H-2A-related claim under the MSPA, the employer is 
provided a right to cure before the claim can proceed. Specifically, 
the amendment allows the employer to attempt to resolve the alleged 
violation within 5 days of receiving the complaint. The employer must 
also file with the court documentation demonstrating that the action 
giving rise to the complaint has been remedied. After that, the court 
may dismiss the complaint if it is satisfied that the complaint has 
been resolved.
  Under H.R. 1603, private right of action can include actual damages 
or statutory damages of up to $500 per plaintiff per violation, where 
violations constitute separate provisions. Most claims involve multiple 
plaintiffs and, in class action, could involve many plaintiffs who 
didn't even want to be part of the claim. For class action, the court 
is authorized to award the lesser of up to $500 per plaintiff per 
violation or up to $500,000. In other words, liability under MSPA could 
be half a million dollars.
  Especially in the case of a fabricated claim or an unintended 
violation, this could be financially devastating for farmers. Costs 
like these to agricultural employers on top of attorneys' fees, court 
fees, and awards pursuant to other claim avenues should be taken 
seriously. They can be significant burdens on employers who did not 
knowingly or purposefully violate H-2A requirements.
  At the very least, we should allow our growers the opportunity to 
remedy a potential violation before they are hit with a huge penalty. 
Today's motion to recommit would do just that. If the purpose of filing 
a complaint is to seek redress, then this amendment provides a 
reasonable path forward.
  I am sure that those whose purpose it is to subject employers to 
additional claims, frivolous or otherwise, will oppose my amendment, 
but those who understand the importance of helping U.S. farmers in the 
face of constant and growing competition from foreign agricultural 
operations without our high labor standards understand how reasonable a 
right to cure is.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman.
  Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, my amendment would retain the ability 
of H-2A workers to obtain redress, but would provide important 
protection for growers, too.
  Madam Speaker, if we adopt the motion to recommit, we will instruct 
the Committee on the Judiciary to consider my amendment to H.R. 1603 to 
provide a commonsense right to cure for our Nation's farmers, who will 
be subject to burdensome litigation under this underlying bill.
  Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include the text of the 
amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to 
recommit.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains on 
both sides?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California has 9 
minutes remaining. The gentleman from California has 5\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Cuellar).
  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, farm work is hard work. Both of my 
parents, Odilia and Martin, were farmworkers. It is very hard work. It 
is one of those type of jobs that is very necessary to make sure that 
we bring food to the table.
  I represent several areas that are rural, and my ranchers and my 
farmers need an ag work program. It has to. They need it. I have always 
said, if an American wants the job, let them have that job. But if they 
are not going to fill that position, then we need to have a guest 
worker plan, just like we did during World War II, where we did the 
Bracero program. Therefore, we need to support this for our ranchers 
and our farmers.
  I will tell you this, it is not amnesty. What Ronald Reagan did in 
1986, that was amnesty. This is not amnesty. And if you want to talk 
about border security, this will help secure the border.
  Let me explain. If you have people who will come into a secure system 
to come work, and then they go back, then you can have Border Patrol 
focus on the people who have the bad motives, the people who want to 
bring in drugs, the people who want to smuggle or traffic people. So 
this actually will help border security if we set this up right, like 
they did in World War II.

  Madam Speaker, I ask Members to support this program. It is needed by 
our farmworkers. We need to do it.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren and Mr. Nadler 
for their work.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, may I inquire of my friend from 
California if she has any additional speakers?
  Ms. LOFGREN. No, I do not.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Just yesterday, the Secretary of Homeland Security told the Homeland 
Security Committee that the border is secure. The Secretary said the 
border is secure, despite saying only 1 day earlier that the Department 
of Homeland Security is on pace to encounter more individuals on the 
southwest border than we have in the last 20 years.
  He said the border is secure, despite a 590 percent increase in the 
number of family units crossing the border in the first 6 weeks of the 
Biden administration.
  He said the border is secure, despite Customs and Border Protection 
referring over 7,300 unaccompanied alien minors to the Department of 
Health and Human Services during the month of February. That is the 
highest number of referrals in any February in the history of the 
program.

                              {time}  1530

  He said the border is secure despite the Biden administration's plan 
to use the Dallas Convention Center to house thousands of the 
unaccompanied minors who the cartels have smuggled across the border.
  No matter what Secretary Mayorkas says, the fact is the border is not 
secure, and it is not secure because of President Biden's dangerous 
immigration policies.
  We know that when foreign nationals think they can easily get into 
the U.S. and be rewarded with legal status, which is what this bill 
does, they flood the border.
  We are watching that happen before our eyes. Aliens are flooding the 
border in response to the President's rhetoric and policies and in 
response to the promises of additional rewards made through bills like 
this.
  Talk of amnesty fuels border crossings. That is a fact.
  This bill grants amnesty and a special path to U.S. citizenship to at 
least 1 million farmworkers currently in the United States. I have seen 
estimates that go up to 2\1/2\ million--nobody really knows--as well as 
to their spouses and children.
  This bill allows aliens to get green cards even if they illegally 
reentered the U.S., committed immigration fraud, voted illegally in a 
Federal or State election, or have two serious misdemeanor convictions.
  The supporters of this bill claim that illegal aliens who get green 
cards must work in agriculture. However, the bill includes broad waiver 
authority that allows those who did not complete all the work 
requirements because of weather conditions or COVID or if the alien was 
fired, among other situations, to still get a green card.
  Those legalized under this bill would, from the outset, compete 
directly for jobs with Americans. Nothing in this bill prevents those 
who get employment authorization during the initial process from 
working in nonagricultural labor sectors. And of course, once they and 
their family members get a green card, as provided under this 
legislation, they are free to work wherever they want.
  This bill sends a powerful message and an invitation to those who 
cross our borders illegally that they can expect to be rewarded with 
legal status and, ultimately, green cards and an expedited path to 
citizenship.
  But far worse than that, it floods our market with low-wage labor at 
a time when Americans are struggling to recover from the devastating 
lockdowns that have crushed the dreams of so many working families.

[[Page H1558]]

  I will end as I began. The people who were most helped by the 
economic expansion that we saw were working-class Americans because the 
Trump administration got control of our borders and stemmed the flow of 
this illegal labor.
  They made the greatest gains during the expansion; they have been the 
most harmed during the lockdowns; and this adds to their burdens and 
woes by ensuring that the market for their skills and labor will remain 
stagnant for a decade to come.
  Please don't do this to those good Americans in this perilous time 
for our country.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  There has been a lot of rhetoric today about the border, and I think 
it is important to address some of it.
  First, let's get the facts straight. The uptick in apprehensions at 
the southern border began in April 2020, last year, long before we knew 
President Biden was even going to become the Democratic nominee, much 
less the President.
  During the pandemic, the Trump administration did something that 
troubled me a great deal and that I objected to. They ignored the 
Trafficking Victims Protection Act. That was a bipartisan bill. 
Congressman Chris Smith from New Jersey was the lead on the Republican 
side. I worked on it on our side along with others. It had a very 
precise protocol for what to do when an unaccompanied child presented 
at the border, a potential trafficking victim.
  Instead of following that protocol, the prior administration would 
simply take that child, an 11- or 12-year-old little girl, and turn her 
back into Mexico, not knowing what would happen to her.
  Now, those children who have been in squalid camps for the last year 
are being addressed pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. 
It is correct that we have had more children present than we were 
prepared to deal with, and there was a scramble to take care of those 
children properly. But it has nothing to do with the Farm Work 
Modernization Act.
  I listened with some interest to the suggestion that there needs to 
be a change in the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection 
Act provisions of this bill. Currently, H-2A employers must comply with 
the H-2A program requirements, which largely meet or exceed MSPA. The 
primary difference is that the DOL stands in the place of the foreign 
farmworker in bringing forward cases of alleged violation of the H-2A 
program.
  The Fair Labor Standards Act and a number of other Federal and State 
laws apply to the H-2A program, but it is worth noting that any H-2A 
employer that employs one or more domestic workers who perform seasonal 
or temporary agricultural work is already covered under MSPA, and that 
would be close to like all employers. This bill would formally place 
all employers of H-2A workers under MSPA, impacting only those who hire 
no domestic employees.
  The idea that there needs to be a right to cure has merit, except it 
is already addressed in this bill because it requires mandatory 
mediation. If there is a problem that can be fixed, it will be fixed in 
the mediation system. That is quite new.
  The other thing to point out is that there are no attorney's fees 
provided for in the bill or in MSPA, so the idea that somehow this is a 
windfall for the trial bar is simply incorrect.
  There is a great Q&A truth setting in a publication called Hoard's 
Dairyman, ``What the Farm Workforce Act could mean.'' I include the 
article in the Record.

                 [From Hoard's Dairyman, Mar. 15, 2021]

                 What the Farm Workforce Act Could Mean

                             (By Bob Gray)

       The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, bipartisan bill H.R. 
     1603, was reintroduced this week by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren 
     (D-Calif.) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). It could 
     be taken up by the full House this week.
       Here are some additional details about the bill. Most of 
     this information came from the four Republican leads--
     Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Mike Simpson (R-
     ldaho), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), and Doug LaMalfa (R-
     Calif.). Before reading further, I want to reiterate, 
     however, that this is a bipartisan bill with support from 
     both sides of the aisle.
       The Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) expands the 
     current H-2A seasonal worker program to include full-time, 
     year-round workers for dairy and other agricultural 
     businesses.
       The bill is not perfect, but it is a very good start in 
     providing an extremely important piece of the legislative 
     reform needed by dairy farmers. Right now, as you all know, 
     we have no program. We have never had an immigration worker 
     program in the past.
       When the bill goes before the House next week, you will 
     hear various pros and cons about it in the press. Therefore, 
     I thought it would be useful to include a ``Facts and Myths'' 
     sheet about the legislation so you can fully understand its 
     provisions and not be misled by information that is 
     incorrect.


         This is what the Farm Workforce Modernization Act does

       Simplifies H-2A by reducing duplicative paperwork--only one 
     filing needed instead of three.
       Bureaucracy is reduced even further for many farmers with 
     staggered labor needs. Farmers can file one petition for the 
     entire season, allowing for staggered entry of H-2A workers.
       Modernizes recruitment by allowing employers to post job 
     openings on an online job registry. No classified ads are 
     required.
       Reduces labor costs by freezing wages for one year and 
     capping wage growth thereafter. The adverse effect wage rate 
     is replaced in later years.
       Makes available 60,000 year-round H-2A visas over the first 
     three years, growing annually by 12.5%. Dairy is guaranteed 
     at least half of these visas, and any unused visas are 
     available for other agriculture industries.
       Stabilizes the existing workforce by giving legitimate 
     farmworkers a chance to get a five-year Certified Agriculture 
     Worker (CAW) visa to work in U.S. agriculture. As long as the 
     worker continues to meet minimum days in agriculture 
     annually, the worker can continue to work in the U.S. with 
     unlimited five-year renewals. CAWs can cross the border as 
     they need without restriction.
       CAWs can earn the opportunity to apply for a green card by 
     paying a penalty and continuing to work in agriculture for at 
     least eight years. If a CAW can prove 10 years of prior work 
     in agriculture, they can apply for a green card after four 
     years.


                            Myths and facts

       MYTH: This bill will codify wage surveys into law and 
     result in multiple wage classes. Under this bill, wages will 
     be much higher than the current Adverse Effect Wage Rate 
     (AEWR).
       FACT: This bill provides for greater certainty and 
     granularity in wages. First, this bill applies a one-year 
     freeze of wages across all categories at the current year's 
     rate. After the one-year freeze, all wage rates are then 
     limited in any increases year over year to 3.25% with the 
     ability to decrease 1.5%. (Exception: If the resulting wage 
     is less than 110% of the federal or state minimum wage, then 
     the wage could increase an additional percentage point to 
     4.25%.) After year 10, the AEWR requirement ends, and the 
     Secretaries of Agriculture and Labor must develop a new wage 
     standard with input from stakeholders. If Congress fails to 
     act to control and reform AEWR, some estimates have shown 
     AEWR rates could rise 7% to 8% annually in the coming years.
       MYTH: Adjusted workers are treated immediately as U.S. 
     workers, thus requiring employers to hire them. This 
     displaces previous H-2A workers.
       FACT: This bill includes a provision that allows employers 
     to prioritize their longtime H-2A workers over new Certified 
     Agriculture Workers (CAWs). CAWs have a requirement to work 
     in agriculture that no domestic worker has. Because of that 
     requirement and proven experience in agriculture work, CAWs 
     do receive preference over new foreign agriculture workers. 
     There is no expansion of the current workforce; CAW workers 
     are already here and working in agriculture. The bill 
     eliminates the legal chaos farmers and workers face today.
       MYTH: This bill does not allow agricultural associations to 
     file as agents on behalf of their members.
       FACT: This bill does not affect the ability of associations 
     to file as agents. The bill allows associations to file as 
     agents, or as a joint or sole employer of workers.
       MYTH: This bill provides no relief for dairies or year-
     round agriculture.
       FACT: This bill creates year-round access to the H-2A 
     program for dairy and other agricultural sectors that 
     desperately need workers but have previously been unable to 
     utilize the program. Without this bill, year-round 
     agriculture has no access to a legal foreign workforce.
       MYTH: This bill would create new funding for the Legal 
     Services Corporation.
       FACT: There is no new funding in this bill for the Legal 
     Services Corporation.
       MYTH: This bill requires farmworker housing to meet 
     Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 
     standards.
       FACT: Farmworker housing is already required to meet OSHA 
     standards, and DOL requires annual approved inspections 
     before approving a certification. The bill makes no changes 
     to that requirement, and in fact, reduces the inspection to 
     every two years. The bill provides $11 billion in additional 
     funds to

[[Page H1559]]

     offset costs for grower-provided and other farmworker 
     housing.
       MYTH: This bill establishes a new bureaucratic complaint/
     investigation process that allows anyone to file a complaint.
       FACT: There is no new process established in this bill. It 
     simply codifies existing regulations.
       MYTH: The bill requires more reporting on employer 
     recruitment efforts.
       FACT: There are no additional reporting requirements in 
     this bill, and requirements for recruitment efforts have been 
     simplified and modernized.
       MYTH: This bill creates a new private right of action for 
     H-2A workers under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural 
     Worker Protection Act (MSPA).
       FACT: Currently, H-2A employers must comply with the H-2A 
     program requirements, which largely meet or exceed MSPA. The 
     primary difference is that DOL stands in the place of the 
     foreign farmworker in bringing forward cases of alleged 
     violations of the H-2A program, the Fair Labor Standards Act 
     (FLSA), and a number of other federal and state laws. In 
     addition, any H-2A employer that employs one or more domestic 
     worker who performs seasonal or temporary agricultural work 
     is also currently covered under MSPA. The bill would formally 
     place all employers of H-2A workers under MSPA (impacting 
     only those who currently hire no domestic employees for 
     seasonal or temporary work) while creating a new mandatory 
     mediation requirement for any claim not just filed under MSPA 
     but extended it to claims under the H-2A program and FLSA. 
     Mandatory mediation could help reduce litigation costs and 
     attorney fees for growers, in part by resolving frivolous 
     claims before reaching the court room.
       MYTH: This bill gives workers up to two years to file a 
     legal claim against an employer, even after the worker has 
     returned to their home country.
       FACT: Under current statue, H-2A workers already get this. 
     There is nothing new in this bill. Many state-based claims 
     have longer statute of limitations.
       MYTH: This bill gives the Department of Labor (DOL) a new 
     ability to sue on behalf of employees.
       FACT: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), DOL 
     already has this ability. There is nothing new in this bill.
       MYTH: To overcome a denial of labor certification, this 
     legislation places the burden of proof on employers to show 
     that domestic workers were turned away for lawful reasons.
       FACT: Nothing new is in this bill. This provision already 
     exists under current law.
       MYTH: This bill permits very limited appeals and does not 
     grant de novo appeals of denials or Notice of Disagreement 
     (NOD).
       FACT: This bill allows employers to quickly fix application 
     deficiencies, as with current law. The bill, however, 
     improves this process by creating a new emergency procedure 
     for farmers so issues are fixed faster and workers are not 
     delayed. It also allows for post-certification modifications.
       MYTH: This bill establishes a new requirement for employers 
     to provide housing for domestic workers outside of a 50-mile 
     distance.
       FACT: The bill does not change any current housing 
     requirements. As with current law, the requirement to provide 
     housing applies only to U.S. workers who live outside of the 
     normal commuting distance for the area.
       MYTH: The bill makes no meaningful reform to the high 
     housing costs in the H-2A program.
       FACT: The bill makes historic investments in farmworker 
     housing while reducing employer costs in providing such 
     housing, including to H-2A workers. The bill provides $1 
     billion to rehabilitate existing housing, triples federal 
     funding for USDA Section 514/516 rural housing and grant 
     programs, and doubles funding for the Section 521 rental 
     assistance program. The bill also reduces the cost of 
     providing housing to H-2A workers by making operating 
     assistance subsidies available to 514/516 property owners who 
     house H-2A workers.
       MYTH: Mandatory E-Verify just for agriculture means 
     thousands of year-round employers will have no access to 
     labor whatsoever.
       FACT: This bill provides a way for the current workforce to 
     get right with the law, which means they would be compliant 
     with E-Verify. As noted above, the bill provides employers 
     with two avenues for hiring new year-round workers. The E-
     Verify requirement would only apply to new hires and is 
     phased in, beginning three years after enactment.
       MYTH: Illegal farmworkers, their spouses, and all their 
     dependents are provided a special, expedited path to legal, 
     permanent residence and will move out of agriculture and into 
     other jobs in the economy.
       FACT: This bill does not create an immediate path to 
     permanent residence. First, it creates a temporary legal 
     status that can only be renewed with significant agricultural 
     work. Second, the bill provides the option of earning 
     permanent residence through continued agricultural work, but 
     it would take at a minimum five to 10 years to earn such 
     status, depending on the amount of past agricultural work the 
     worker could demonstrate. These significant past and future 
     work commitments would ensure the stability of American 
     agriculture for years to come. Spouses and dependents receive 
     the same protections that currently exist in the H-2A 
     program.
       MYTH: The bill puts AEWR into law after 2029 with no 
     increase or decrease in caps. Keeping the AEWR for another 10 
     years and preserving it in statute means employers will see 
     no relief.
       FACT: After year 10, the AEWR requirement ends, and the 
     Secretaries of Agriculture and Labor must develop a new wage 
     standard with input from stakeholders.
       MYTH: The bill provides new authority for the DOL to award 
     back wages, penalties, and damages and/or to debar employers 
     from the program for five years or permanently.
       FACT: The DOL already has authority to temporarily debar 
     bad actors. This bill would give the DOL new authority to 
     permanently debar individuals who have previously been 
     debarred and are habitual violators of the program's 
     requirements.
  Ms. LOFGREN. We have labored long and hard, those of us in our 
bipartisan group that worked to solve a problem that our country has, 
which is we need a stable workforce in the agricultural sector.
  I thank last year's chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Collin 
Peterson, for the work that he did on this bill; this year's chair who 
also supports this bill, Mr. Scott; as well as the ranking member who 
said that he would vote for it even though there are some things he 
would like to change. It is a compromise, and it was worked on for 
almost over a year to get to this point.
  We believe that having a legal workforce in agriculture that will 
give stability is not only good for those workers, but it is good for 
their employers, and it is good for America.
  We believe that making sure that there is a future flow of a legal 
workforce not only into farms but now into dairy is good for America 
because we think immigration ought to be legal. It ought to be 
regularized. It ought to be orderly. That is what this bill would 
accomplish.
  Finally, there has been a lot of talk about enforcement. This bill 
has enforcement in it. When the bill is implemented, we will have a 
strategy in a legal way to meet the needs of agriculture in America. If 
we have that as law, we ought to enforce that law. That is why, on a 
bipartisan basis, we agreed that E-Verify ought to be applied to this 
whole sector.
  This is a package that will make America stronger. It is fair to 
farmworkers. It is fair to farmers. And it is good for America. I hope 
that people will vote for it on both sides of the aisle. So many of us 
worked together to bring it to this point.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, farmworkers toil under 
difficult and dangerous conditions for long hours and low pay to ensure 
America has a safe and plentiful food supply.
  Because of the scarcity of domestic farm labor, for decades, the 
agricultural sector has depended largely on the labor of migrant 
workers. The vast majority of crop workers in the United States were 
not born here and are undocumented or here on guest visas. Though these 
workers perform incredibly difficult work under hazardous conditions, 
they are often unable to seek recourse when their rights are violated. 
A pathway to citizenship, when accompanied by appropriate oversight 
measures, could help reduce these dedicated workers' justifiable fear 
of reprisal for asserting their rights. Farmworkers are integral to our 
communities and our economy. Creating a pathway to citizenship for 
these individuals--who work to feed us and our country year after 
year--as well as their families is both an economic and humanitarian 
necessity.
  I support legalization of vulnerable, undocumented workers and a path 
to citizenship. However, in exchange for legalization for some 
undocumented farmworkers, this bill would depress labor standards for 
H-2A workers. Because weakened labor standards for H-2A workers could 
adversely impact the domestic workforce, this bill could negatively 
impact the economic security of all farmworkers.
  Wage cuts for many H-2A workers in turn would depress wages for all 
farmworkers. The adverse effect wage rate (AEWR), which is often the 
binding wage paid to H-2A workers, is designed to ensure that wages 
paid to H-2A workers do not depress wages for U.S. farmworkers. This 
means the AEWR must be high enough to reflect wages paid in the local 
labor market. This bill would change the way the AEWR is currently 
calculated over the first ten years to reflect average wages paid to 
farmworkers in the region according to their specific occupation, 
rather than the average wage paid to farmworkers across all 
occupations. However, the bill fails to require the use of data that 
actually reflects local wage conditions. Additionally, while setting 
limitations on how much AEWR wages can decrease after

[[Page H1560]]

an initial one-year freeze, the bill imposes caps on wage increases 
from year to year, limiting whether AEWR can truly reflect wages paid 
in the local labor market.
  As a result of these changes to the AEWR, the majority of H-2A 
workers would see their wages actually go down, albeit modestly, while 
others would see the growth in their wages capped. I have opposed 
similar efforts proposed by the Trump Administration that would depress 
wages.
  This year, I was pleased to lead House efforts to include an increase 
to the federal minimum wage in the House-passed American Rescue Plan 
(H.R. 1319). While those minimum wage provisions did not ultimately 
survive Senate budget reconciliation rules, I will continue to push for 
H.R. 603, the Raise the Wage Act, which would gradually raise the 
federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. I am confident that in 
the next ten years, we will enact a meaningful increase in the federal 
minimum wage, boosting wages for workers across our nation--including 
farmworkers. However, I am concerned that H.R. 1603, Farm Workforce 
Modernization Act of 2021, will create artificial barriers to wage 
growth, or worse, lead to wage cuts, continuing to leave farmworkers 
relegated to low pay and economic insecurity.
  Our country's wage and hour laws are designed to ensure that workers 
are guaranteed a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. But this right 
is only as strong as a worker's ability to hold employers accountable, 
especially in court. Unfortunately, this bill creates obstacles that 
may delay farmworkers' ability to access their day in court, when they 
have been victims of wage theft. While I welcome extending coverage of 
the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) to 
H-2A workers, adding a mediation requirement to both the MSPA and the 
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is problematic. This bill enables 
employers to impose three months of mandatory mediation when an H-2A 
worker brings a civil suit under these laws, even if the worker does 
not consent to the mediation and wants his or her day in court. This 
undermines the voluntary nature of mediation and provides bad actors 
with an avenue for delaying or denying wage recovery. This delay could 
prove significant for farmworkers who may be in this country for a 
limited amount of time to participate in litigation. This is especially 
fraught given that, in contrast to MSPA, the FLSA provides for recovery 
of unpaid wages and liquidated, or double, damages and recovery of 
attorney's fees, plus costs. This provision may also pull domestic 
farmworkers or other visa classifications of workers into required 
mediation where there are collective or class actions, thereby 
undermining incentives for other workers to join with H-2A workers to 
seek redress.
  Last Congress, I supported the passage of H.R. 1423, the FAIR Act, to 
ban forced arbitration in many areas, including employment, because it 
could delay or totally block workers' access to courts. We should 
promote legislation that protects workers' fundamental right to have 
their day in court, not delay it.
  This bill denies newly legalized farmworkers and their families 
access to key social safety net programs. Denial of benefits that can 
promote economic stability, coupled with the bill's wage suppressing 
provisions, threatens to create a long-term pool of economically 
vulnerable workers. While most of these individuals do not currently 
have access to these benefits due to their immigration status, leaving 
immigrant workers who are granted legal status under this legislation 
without access to social safety net programs establishes a dangerous 
precedent that access to health care and other basic necessities can be 
traded away for a path to legal status.
  This legislation weakens the current recruitment and hiring standards 
for U.S. farmworkers. A reduction in employers' obligations to hire 
U.S. workers under this bill will undermine one of the core principles 
of the H-2A program: that H-2A workers should fill in gaps in the farm 
workforce that U.S. employers are truly unable to fill, rather than 
merely replacing U.S. workers that employers could attract with 
reasonable efforts. I raised concerns with similar efforts to modify 
recruitment standards by the Trump Administration in 2019.
  Agricultural work is hazardous, and workers in this sector have few 
legal health and safety protections. Ensuring that H-2A workers and all 
farmworkers have safe, healthy working conditions is critical. I am 
pleased that this bill requires H-2A employers to maintain heat illness 
prevention plans and requires H-2A employers in the dairy industry to 
maintain workplace safety plans. However, as presently written, some 
provisions are ambiguous and would be difficult to enforce; other 
provisions have weak minimum requirements that would limit their value. 
As this legislation moves forward, I would urge the inclusions of 
stronger health and safety standards.
  Strong labor protections are vital to protect both H-2A workers, who 
are vulnerable given their temporary status, and domestic farmworkers, 
whose employers may be disincentivized to provide employment. This is 
especially true given that farmworkers have historically been carved 
out of labor and employment laws, leaving these workers with fewer wage 
protections and rights to bargain for better working conditions.
  While this bill does make some improvements in immigration law, I 
look forward to supporting a version of this bill that more accurately 
reflects strong labor standards.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the 
previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended.
  The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.


                           Motion to Recommit

  Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the 
desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to 
recommit.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Mrs. Fischbach moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1603 to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

  The material previously referred to by Mrs. Fischbach is as follows:

       At the end of section 204(b), add the following:
       (4) Right to cure.-- If an H-2A worker files a civil 
     lawsuit alleging a violation under the Migrant and Seasonal 
     Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), 
     an agricultural employer may, not later than 5 days after 
     receiving service of the complaint, file with the court 
     documentation demonstrating that the action giving rise to 
     the complaint has been remedied. The court may dismiss such 
     complaint if satisfied that the complaint has been resolved.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX, the 
previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit.
  The question is on the motion to recommit.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the noes appeared to have it.
  Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question 
are postponed.
  Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 
1603 is postponed.

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