Will H-2A Become H-2C? Find Out What the New Bill Proposes

Will H-2A Become H-2C? Find Out What the New Bill Proposes

An H-2A worker at Janowskie Farms.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R VA) is re-introducing a bill that aims to replace the current H-2A federal guestworker program with an H-2C system. H-2A is a critical source of labor for many produce growers each year, but the program’s red tape, costs, and other challenges have had the industry pushing for reforms for many years.

Goodlatte spoke to attendees of United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference via Skype, explaining his goals with the proposed bill.

Advertisement

The bill, also dubbed the “Agriculture Guestworker Act” and “The Ag Act,” was first introduced in 2013, when the House was in Democratic control. It faced opposition from both parties at the time.

With bi-partisan support to give legal status to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (better known as DACA) recipients, Rep. Goodlatte believes his bill will face a more receptive Congress.

Top Articles
Have a Plan For Climate Change? Why Fruit Growers Need To Act Now

At press time, Rep. Goodlatte had not yet reintroduced the bill, although he says he will do so shortly. Also, the details of the bill may change as it moves through Congress.

How H-2C Differs from H-2A

The proposed bill would change several features of H-2A:

Who’s included. H-2C aims to consolidate all food-related guest ag workers under one system. So all workers who would qualify for H-2A are included, as are those produce-related workers in H-2B and other groups previously not included, such as dairy and fishery workers.

Employment status. H-2C would includes both contract and at-will terms. H-2A, in constrast, allows only contract work. Also, under the proposed bill, workers will be able to move from farm to farm, following the need for workers.

Housing. There is no mandate for housing or transportation.

Number of workers capped. Early versions of the bill include a 500,000 worker cap. However, that cap is for new workers only, with anyone who has been approved to work for H-2A allowed to work outside the cap limit. Also, the cap will rise by a percentage the following year after the cap was reached.

Duration in U.S. Seasonal guestworkers can stay within the U.S. for 18 months before needing to return to their home country. The amount of time required to remain in their home country will equal 1/12 of the durations of the previous authorized time in the U.S., or 45 days.

Legal status. H-2C does not lead to citizenship, but does give workers a legal status in the U.S.

American Workers Rule. Growers would still be required to recruit American employees before filling the vacancies with H-2C workers. But they will not be forced to hire workers once guest workers have arrived.

Supervising Agency. The bill would move agricultural guestworker programs from the Labor Department to USDA.

Editor’s note: Rep. Goodlatte has officially introduced The Ag Guestworker Act. Read more about it here.

0

Leave a Reply

Avatar for Russell Costanza Russell Costanza says:

This is good for American farmers and consumers alike. A safe American food supply domestically produced on American soil.

Avatar for Jay Bunker Jay Bunker says:

Very interesting. This could make for a good era in ag labor. I could train some skilled labor under this plan and share Thanksgiving with the same workers for years. Not perfect but it makes too much sense to actually pass into law lol.

Avatar for Rusty Bell Rusty Bell says:

That sounds better!!

Avatar for Bob Bench Bob Bench says:

What about the prevailing wage rate, the difference in state to state?

Avatar for Kent Isom Kent Isom says:

This sounds like good legislation! I pray this passes the House and Senate but it too often seems good common sense bills get swept under the rug due to partisan politics. I applaud Rep. Goodlatte and will keep my fingers crossed this passes as it is written!

Avatar for Mike Pack Mike Pack says:

Sounds great

Avatar for Keith Evans Keith Evans says:

I haven’t used h2a help being a smaller farmer but i am interested due to not finding reliable help, hope things get easier to get in program.

Avatar for brad morse brad morse says:

This would be a home run! Prevailing wage should be State minimum wage with growers paying more for better workers as is with local labor. Get it done Congress!

Avatar for Kelly Jackson Kelly Jackson says:

I am a huge advocate for this bill! As an employer of H2A workers this bill would be a light at the end of a very dark tunnel that has been the H2A program since Hilda Solis made it unworkable in 2009. We met with our Congressional representative last night about this bill and how important this is to us. I suggest ALL of you do the same. Make our voices heard!

Advertisement