Speech #1100006531

Mr. President. today I join. again. with a bipartisan group of Senators to Introduce a bill to reform our immigration laws concerning foreign agricultural workers. Americas farmers are calling for a greater number of legal foreign workers. and an improved system for obtaining those workers. We need to likewise ensure meaningful benefits and protections to the workers who will fill these jobs. I am especially pleased that measures are included to help dairy farmers. who in my home State of Vermont are an integral part of our economy. our history. and our culture. Indeed. it is difficult to think of the Green Mountain State without conjuring up the image of verdant rolling hills dotted with Holstein cows. The provisions in this bill make the H2A program more workable for dairy farmers by lengthening the time period a foreign worker may remain in the country. providing a process by which an employer can extend the stay of a worker. and by ensuring that workers may ultimately apply for an adjustment to permanent legal resident status. The bill we introduce today goes a long way toward reforming our H2A visa program. Along with measures to help streamline procedures for labor certification by employers. the bill will make it easier for employers to meet their responsibilities to ensure that available agricultural jobs are offered first to domestic workers. The bill also makes the process easier for an employer to apply for an extension to a workers stay. and makes it easier for a foreign worker to switch jobs during their stay. The bill includes greater protections for workers. including the requirement that employers meet the same motor vehicle safety standards for H2A workers that are required for domestic workers. A limited Federal right of action is provided for H2A workers to enforce the economic benefits provided under the H2A program. or those provided in writing by their employers. More flexibility is provided for workers and employers by permitting employers to elect to provide a housing allowance. instead of housing. These are but a few of the positive reforms contained in the bill. The bill also contains a procedure by which undocumented workers who have been working in agriculture can apply for a "blue card." a system where through consistent employment. a fine. proof of the payment of taxes. and proof of no serious criminal history. an undocumented worker can continue his or her contribution legally. and eventually adjust his or her status. The "blue card" program encourages family unification by making special provisions for spouses and children of the card holder. The program also has a numerical cap and the builtin safeguard of a sunset provision.