Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
This bill amends section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to transfer administration of the H-2A agricultural temporary worker program from the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of Agriculture, and updates a cross-reference from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The statutory changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
Progressives emphasize risk to worker protections and enforcement.
Narrow administrative change could clear committee and floor if supported by key stakeholders, but immigration and labor groups may oppose.
This bill amends section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to transfer administration of the H-2A agricultural temporary worker program from the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of Agriculture, and updates a cross-reference from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
The statutory changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
The bill directs the Secretary of Labor to provide personnel, funding, and materials necessary to transfer program administration to USDA on that date.
Administrative scope helps, but subject touches immigration and labor protections; stakeholder opposition and Senate procedure reduce chances.
How solid the drafting looks.
Progressives emphasize risk to worker protections and enforcement.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize risk to worker protections and enforcement.
Likely skeptical and critical.
They would view moving H-2A from DOL to USDA as shifting oversight from a labor-focused agency to an agriculture-focused agency, raising concerns about enforcement of wages and working conditions.
They may acknowledge possible administrative efficiencies but expect risks to workers unless strong safeguards are required.
Mixed and pragmatic.
They see the logic of placing an agriculture-specific visa program in USDA, but worry about implementation, continuity of worker protections, and appropriations.
Support would depend on clear transition planning, retained labor safeguards, and congressional oversight.
Generally supportive.
They would view the transfer as a sensible realignment that places an agriculture-specific visa program inside the Agriculture Department, potentially reducing DOL-related regulatory friction for farmers.
The change from Attorney General to DHS is seen as a technical update consistent with post-2002 immigration structure.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Administrative scope helps, but subject touches immigration and labor protections; stakeholder opposition and Senate procedure reduce chances.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize risk to worker protections and enforcement.
Administrative scope helps, but subject touches immigration and labor protections; stakeholder opposition and Senate procedure reduce chanc…
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