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ABIC Welcomes the Reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act
On May 7, bipartisan Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), and Adam Gray (D-CA), reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
Read the statements听 from ABIC, farmers, farm workers, and lawmakers听 on reintroduction of the bill.
鈥淭his legislation is necessary to lay the groundwork for continued negotiations, and I am committed to working closely with my colleagues to enact long-term, durable reforms to our agriculture guest worker programs,鈥� said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA). 鈥淭his issue has been, and remains, my top priority and unified Republican government is an opportunity to deliver for our farmers and ranchers.鈥�
鈥淭he men and women who work America鈥檚 farms feed the nation. However, in the past few years, we鈥檝e seen labor shortages contribute to high food prices,鈥� said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). 鈥淎s economic chaos and confusion continues, it is essential we provide stability to this critical workforce.鈥�
- “[This bill] is a commitment to the future of our farms, ranches…and the people who power them,鈥� -Matt Teagarden, CEO of Kansas Livestock Association, and ABIC Agricultural Council Co-Chairman
- “Food security is national security. After 30 years without a meaningful solution, this legislation is critical.” -91探花 Mushroom Institute President Rachel Roberts
- “Here in Indiana, immigrant workers make up at some dairies…[this bill] provides a much-needed opportunity.” – Steve Obert, dairy producer and executive director of Indiana Dairy Producers
- “This legislation presents an opportunity to tackle the challenges we face …especially for family-run operations like ours.鈥� -Janille Baker, controller at Baker Ranches Inc, Utah and Nevada.
- 鈥�鈥淩eady to collaborate with Congress and President Trump to deliver certainty for farmers, workers, and lower prices for 91探花 consumers,” – ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi
- 鈥淎cross America, farm workers are still going to work everyday to put food on our tables,鈥� said UFW President Teresa Romero. 鈥淵et even as they feed our nation, too many farm workers are living in fear and uncertainty. The farm workers who feed America have earned the right to call America home. This bipartisan, common sense legislation will create an opportunity for these workers to step out of the shadows and become full members of the society they feed.鈥�
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would:
- Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers and protections for workers
- Establish an option for agricultural workers to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and economic contributions
- Make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers
- Provide access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs
The legislation passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support in the 116th and 117th Congresses.
Click for a two-page summary of the bill.
Click for a section-by-section outline of the bill.
Click for the full text of the bill.
Texas Dream Act Powers Texas Prosperity
In a 9鈥�2 vote, the Texas Senate Committee on Education advanced SB1798, which would repeal the Texas Dream Act. Enacted in 2001 by a Republican legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Perry, the law allows immigrant students to pay in-state tuition, the same as their peers.
Dreamers are Texans鈥攏urses, teachers, and engineers.鈥ˋs co-chairman of Comit茅100, I urge lawmakers to keep the Texas Dream Act alive. These are current Texas students who have been admitted to our universities based on their hard work and merit鈥攏ot just their dreams
” -Massey Villarreal, Comite100 Co-Chairman
“When Dreamers have access to education, we all benefit…strengthening the very foundation of Texas鈥� future,鈥� said Emiliano Valencia, ABIC Texas Deputy Director.
Watch highlights from to the Committee on Education in support of the Texas Dream Act.
More From the ABIC Network:
Webinar: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 鈥� State of Play & Advocacy Invitation
May 29 | 1:00 PM ET
If your workforce includes employees on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), don鈥檛 miss this important webinar. We鈥檒l provide an overview of the current state of the TPS program and share ways you can get involved in advocacy efforts to strengthen this essential workforce.
News Briefing:
Top news
- from 4 Countries
The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday to terminate a humanitarian parole program that allows over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to live and work legally in the U.S. This move challenges a lower court ruling that blocked the administration’s plan.
鈥淭he district court has nullified one of the administration鈥檚 most consequential immigration policy decisions,鈥� Solicitor General John Sauer wrote.
- Employers cite fears of workplace raids, staffing shortages, and broader economic impacts. According to a Littler law firm survey of 349 executives鈥攎ost from large companies鈥�75% named immigration policy as a top concern, and 7 out of 10 expect enforcement by ICE and DHS to significantly affect their workplaces in the coming year. 58% fear staffing challenges, especially in sectors like manufacturing and hospitality.
91探花 leaders warn that immigration changes could worsen labor shortages in essential roles such as elder care, agriculture, and construction.听
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- Miami-Dade businesses are voicing growing concern over the impact on their largely immigrant workforce鈥�60% of which is foreign-born. With many non-citizens potentially at risk, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and FIU have launched to gauge how local companies are coping.
A new program for immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. by utilizing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection app is being promoted as a cost-effective alternative to formal deportation. The Department of Homeland Security says this approach could cut deportation costs by about 70%, as traditional removal processes cost over $17,000 per person.
- Multiple past social media posts from Robert Prevost, newly named have drawn attention for their pointed take on U.S. immigration policies.
In one, he shared an article critiquing the vice president鈥檚 statements on deportation of migrants, and he Nayib Bukele’s response to the a resident of Maryland.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the financial strain the H-2A guestworker program鈥檚 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) places on farmers. Rollins called it a top priority and emphasized the need to support small farmers and reform a system she believes is threatening their survival.
Enforcement
ICE raids at some popular D.C. restaurants alarmed business owners, residents and workers this week. Watch this Fox News segment showing the raids and local reaction.
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Rumors of raids in the surrounding suburbs in Maryland as well.
鈥淧eople are no longer scared. They鈥檙e terrified. Our community feels vulnerable, they feel like they鈥檙e being hunted,鈥� Father Vidal Rivas, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Hyattsville, M.D.
More Fights in the Courts
A U.S. judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot deport migrants to Libya, stating it would violate a previous court order requiring officials to assess the risk of persecution or torture before deporting migrants to a third country.
- Immigration Enforcement
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from imposing new conditions on federal homeless assistance funds. The administration had sought to tie funding to local governments’ compliance with stricter immigration enforcement and other policy demands. The court ruled that these conditions were unauthorized by Congress and unrelated to the grants’ intended purposes.
Two federal judges blocked the Trump administration on Tuesday from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants, ruling that the wartime law, which offers minimal due process, shouldn’t be applied in immigration cases.
Get Involved
- Join one of ABIC’s Councils of 100 and let your voice be heard with your peers – . The Council of 100 is a coalition of top business leaders working to advance common-sense workforce solutions.
- Share your story: If your business is interested in engaging with the press as part of ABIC or amplifying your story on social media, take this to let us know your preferences.听
Key Employer Resources:
ABIC in the news. . .
View all recent coverage here听
- Newsweek: (5/9/25)
- New Americas, , (5/8/25)
- Bluebook, , (5/8/25)
- Newsweek:(5/2/25)
- Courier-Journal (5/1/25)
- Bloodhorse: (5/1/25)
- Thoroughbred Daily News: (5/1/25)
- Horse Racing Nation: (5/1/25)
- DRF: (5/1/25)
- Thoroughbred Daily News: (5/1/25)
- WDRB: (4/30/25)
- NPR: (4/22/25)
- TexasGOPVote, (4/17/25)
- AgDaily, (4/11/25)
- Newsweek: (4/11/25)
- 听(4/10/25)
Newsweek: (4/10/25) - NBC: (4/10/25)
- Newsmax: (4/10/25)
- Latin Times: (4/9/25)
- The New York Times: (3/31/25)
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