WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Sen. Michael Bennet (D- Colorado) introduced a bill to reform the agricultural visa system and offer migrant farmworkers a path to permanent residency. The revised legislation is similar to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support.
Dubbed the Affordable and Secure Food Act, the proposed legislation aims to reduce inflation by combating agricultural labor shortages and revamping the H-2A visa program.
“This bill would help stave off inflation, put food on the table at an affordable price, and give American farmers the relief they’ve been seeking,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “It also would boost our food security by keeping more of our food homegrown.
“Time is short, but we hope Congress will come together to provide key reforms Americans want this year.”