Congressional Fix to H-2A Guest Worker Program Unveiled

(WASHINGTON, DC) Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-R) introduced the Agricultural Guest Worker Reform Initiative, or AGRI Act to the House this week. The bill is an update of his previous STRAW Act and seeks to remedy shortcomings with the current H-2A guest worker program. Under the proposal, jurisdiction for agricultural guest workers would transfer from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, which is better equipped to address the need for temporary workers and will make the program more accessible to the farmers who use it. The AGRI Act also makes the program more reflective of market demand by eliminating the Adverse Affect Wage Rate and instead allows employers to offer market-based contracts and wages. Crawford’s legislation would also increase the security of the program by requiring workers to return to their country of origin for one month after ten months of labor. Workers will be financially incentivized to return after their contract term by making their federal withholding contributions refundable at the U.S. consulate in their country of origin. The legislation also requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide guest workers with a traceable, biometric ID card. Crawford is a member of the House Agriculture Committee.