AgJOBS: Stabilizing the Agricultural Workforce

The Issue

Addressing undocumented immigration in the agricultural sector is critical, as this is an industry largely serviced by undocumented workers (from 50 to 75 percent of the workforce is undocumented) who have been historically and systematically vulnerable to exploitation by their employers. The inability of Congress to reform our immigration laws has begun to hurt the agricultural sector. As enforcement tightens, it has been harder for workers to get to the fields. Many former farm hands have been lured away into industries where work is more stable and year-round. Millions of dollars worth of crops have been lost for lack of workers to pick them.

The Legislation

• Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act (AgJOBS)
  S. 340 (PDF), introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Larry Craig (R-ID).
  H.R. 371 (PDF), introduced by Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Chris Cannon (R-UT).

The bill would put undocumented immigrant farmworkers on a path to permanent legal status, and streamline aspects of the current H-2A agriculture guestworker program. It is supported by major agricultural employers as well as farmworker advocates.

Status

AgJOBS was included in the comprehensive immigration reform bill that was blocked by filibuster in the Senate in June of 2007. It was also included in the House STRIVE Act. In early November 2007, there was some discussion among supporters of AgJOBS in the Senate to offer the bill as an amendment to the Farm Bill, the legislation that among other things authorizes subsidies to farmers. AgJOBS was ultimately not offered as an amendment, but supporters received a commitment from the majority leader that it would be considered later in the year or in the second session of this Congress.  The bill was never passed by the 110th Congress.

For More Information

• Summary: Summary of AgJOBS: The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007, Farmworker Justice, January 2007.
• FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about AgJOBS and Earned Legalization, Farmworker Justice.
• Talking Points: Talking Points on AgJOBS Farmworker Immigration Legislation of 2007, Farmworker Justice
• Supporters: Letter signed by 850 organizations and individuals, including agricultural producers, farmworker advocates, and immigrant advocates, that support AgJOBS, April 16, 2007.

Links to more information about AgJOBS

• Farmworker Justice
• United Farm Workers
• The Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform