Advocates celebrated as the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act—historic legislation that would put hundreds of thousands of farm workers who meet certain requirements onto a path to legalization—by an overwhelming bipartisan vote, 260 to 165.
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The legislation, introduced by Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California and Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington this past fall, marks the first time in decades that the House has passed an agricultural labor immigration bill, said United Farm Workers, one of the 300 groups to support the bill. It implements long overdue protections for undocumented immigrants who are the backbone of the farming industry—and whose work puts food on tables across the U.S.
“The legislation would address labor challenges and establish a program for agricultural workers and their families in the United States to earn legal immigration status through continued employment in the agricultural field,” said the office of Rep. Gil Cisneros. “The process will include requirements for employment in agriculture for at least 180 days over the last two years and at least 100 days per year to renew status as a Certified Agricultural Worker. Long-term workers would be able to pursue a green card. The legislation would also ensure critical protections for workers that are needed to ensure their safety, a stable income, and workers’ rights.”
It’s estimated that at least half of all farm workers are undocumented, and their lack of legal status makes them all the more vulnerable to abuses in an already strenuous job that is in no way “unskilled labor.” But like domestic workers, farm workers remain excluded from vital protections. Yet whether it's buying produce or dining at our favorite restaurant, we've all benefited from their labor. They deserve better.
“Legislators have voted in favor of protecting the people whose hands harvest the fruits and vegetables offered in congressional buildings’ cafeterias and all of American’s kitchen tables,” said UFW Foundation executive director Diana Tellefson Torres. “Whether it is through organizing in congressional districts or walking the halls of Congress, farm workers are a force that deserves recognition during the nine months it took to craft and get the legislation through the House.”
The bill’s passage is the second time this year that the Democratic House has passed major legislation that takes significant steps to protect undocumented communities. In June, the chamber passed the Dream and Promise Act, legislation that would permanently protect one million Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Temporary Protected Status, and Deferred Enforced Departure beneficiaries who face loss of their protections due to repeated attacks by this administration.
Farm workers who had traveled to Washington, D.C., to personally lobby members of Congress to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act celebrated the victory. Eugenia was one worker who had gone there last month to advocate was unable to again travel because of work. Still, surrounded by tangerine trees in the orchard where she works, she sent a message in a video shared by United Farm Workers. “I’m very happy, yes it can be done,” she exclaimed.