'No Amnesty' Calls Grow Over Bill To Aid Immigrant Farm Workers
Summary
A bill called the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 aims to change the guest worker program to help some immigrant farm workers get temporary legal status. Some Republican lawmakers and conservative groups oppose the bill, saying it amounts to amnesty for undocumented workers, while others support it to address farm labor shortages.Key Facts
- The bill was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.
- It would reform the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, which hires foreign workers when American workers are unavailable.
- The bill allows certain undocumented farm workers already employed to apply for H-2A status without penalties for prior immigration violations.
- The program expansion includes year-round agricultural work like dairy and livestock, not just seasonal jobs.
- Hardline Republicans such as Representative Anna Paulina Luna and Governor Ron DeSantis oppose the bill, calling it amnesty.
- The House Freedom Caucus and Representative Chip Roy also publicly reject the bill on immigration grounds.
- The bill has 51 House cosponsors, including 47 Republicans and 4 Democrats, reflecting division within the GOP.
- Experts say the bill does not provide a path to citizenship but may be seen by some as a form of amnesty.
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