Bipartisan Bill Brings Needs of Farmworkers and Farmers to the Forefront

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed the passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Marketa Lindt, AILA President noted, “U.S. farmers continue to make a critical contribution to the U.S. economy by ensuring a safe and reliable food supply, improving energy security and supporting job growth and economic development. However, our immigration laws have been a long-standing obstacle to effective recruitment and retention of farmworkers. We welcome this compromise bill, which shows how both parties can come together to bring our immigration laws into this century and reflect the needs of American farms and the farmworkers upon whom they depend.”

Benjamin Johnson, AILA Executive Director added, “This bill is an important step forward on immigration law and policy, and it is heartening to see bipartisan agreement on the critical element of immigration reform. By allowing workers to apply for legal status and giving farmers access to an improved H-2 visa program, this bill will help hundreds of thousands in America’s heartland, on our coasts, and everywhere in between.”