Farm Workers Modernization Act

Farm Workers Modernization Act

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

Passage in the Senate of The Farm Workers Modernization Act is not at all certain. The FWMA passed in the House with bipartisan support which supporters say gives hope for those in the ag industry, constantly fighting labor issues.

Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif testified before the House Subcommittee on Immigration Reform earlier in the year. He said both the Senate and President Trump must be willing to take the political stand that is required to ensure the continued production of an abundant, safe and affordable domestic food supply had a lot of input on the legislation.

Nassif: “ So hopefully with God’s grace we’ll get this done in the Senate as we’ve gotten it done in the house. One of the reasons we got this done is because of a mutual respect we and the National Farmworkers and other worker advocates have for the farmworker and for the welfare of the farmworker to be treated with the respect that they need to be treated.”

The legislation creates a pathway to legalization for current unauthorized agricultural workers, including an eventual option to become a lawful permanent resident. It would reform the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program. And it would require agriculture employers to implement a reformed “E-Verify” program to ensure workers are authorized.

The legislation has the support of more than 300 agricultural organizations around the country along with many faith, labor and worker groups.

However , Congress has been unable to pass a bill making sweeping changes to immigration laws since 1986 . Republicans have typically been afraid to support legislation expanding legal immigration, fearful they’ll be accused of backing “amnesty.”

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