A new bill introduced last week by members of the U.S. House of Representatives addresses ag labor reform that will impact specialty crop producers in the Southeast.
U.S. Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Maria Salazar (R-FL) introduced the Dignity Act, a bipartisan immigration reform bill that aims to fix the immigration system. It will secure the border, mandate E-Verify nationwide and offer a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants.
The labor reforms would grant greater access to the H-2A program by removing the consideration of seasonal need and stabilize wages by setting them at 125% of the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher.
“With the bipartisan reintroduction of the Dignity Act, Rep. Salazar is taking a positive step toward achieving a workforce solution that agriculture needs,” said Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA). “The bill includes provisions to increase access to the federal H-2A visa program and stabilize wages for Florida growers – changes that are desperately needed to ensure a stable, legal workforce for the industry. Congressional action is urgently needed now, and we appreciate Rep. Salazar’s leadership on this important issue.”
To address those currently in the United States, the bill establishes a seven-year Dignity Program and an optional five-year Redemption Program. These programs provide eligible undocumented immigrants the opportunity to work and earn renewable legal status, conditional on good conduct and restitution payments made to the American taxpayer. While we are a nation of laws, we have also historically been a nation of second chances. This provides the undocumented living in the shadows a second chance to get right with the law.
“Our broken immigration system is frustrating Americans, causing people to suffer, and fracturing our country — economically, morally, socially, and politically. A solution is long overdue,” said Rep. Salazar. “I am proud to introduce the new and improved, bipartisan Dignity Act. This bill gives dignity to the border agents who need support, the job creators who need employees, the American people who need secure borders, and those who currently live in the shadows.”
Source: FFVA
