Public Description:
Establishes a new program for a new class of temporary nonimmigrant agricultural workers (W) in addition to the already existing H-2A program. With visas limited to 10- month periods, the new system would try and protect American workers by utilizing an internet-based job registry to help employers recruit U.S. workers. The program would attempt to prevent abuse of the system by requiring the use of biometric cards by W-Visa holders and giving financial incentive for the aliens to return home when their visas expire. Though monthly and annual numerical limitations are required, they are set by the Department of Agriculture and Secretary of Homeland Security based on the “labor needs of agricultural employees,” without any legislatively-designated limit on the number of W-Visas that can be issued for any given period. The unfortunate result is a virtually unlimited amount of foreign worker visas that could be issued each year, without reducing or eliminating any other form of temporary work visa.
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for a temporary agricultural worker program, and for other purposes.
