Title: Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confer blue card status upon an alien who: (1) has performed specified periods of U.S. agricultural employment or is a qualifying alien's spouse or child, (2) has been physically present in the United States for a qualifying period, (3) applied for such status during the application period, (4) is not ineligible under specified grounds for such status, (5) has passed security and law enforcement clearances, and (6) has paid the required fees and penalties.
Blue card status is limited to eight years.
A blue card alien (individual) may: (1) work in the United States, and (2) travel from and return to the United States, including commuting to the United States from a foreign residence.
DHS shall adjust an individual's blue card status to lawful permanent resident status if the individual: (1) performs a specified period of qualifying agricultural employment, (2) applies before the expiration of his or her blue card status, and (3) pays a required fine and satisfies any federal tax liability. The bill also provides for status adjustment of such an individual's qualifying spouse and child.
The bill enumerates: (1) grounds for revocation of blue card status or denial of permanent resident status, (2) protections for aliens apprehended before or during the application period or in removal proceedings, and (3) employer protections.
Such an individual: (1) is ineligible for any federal means-tested benefit, and (2) may correct certain social security records.
DHS shall report to Congress, after six months and annually for the next eight years, on the blue card program.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2690 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2690

 To improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for 
          aliens in the United States and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 25, 2017

  Mr. Gutierrez (for himself, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Michelle 
 Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Judy Chu of 
   California, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Vela, Mr. Welch, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. 
  Thompson of California, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. 
 Soto, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Schneider, 
 Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Sires, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Nadler, 
Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, and Mr. Jeffries) introduced the following bill; 
 which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition 
  to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for 
          aliens in the United States and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural 
Worker Program Act of 2017''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
 TITLE I--PROGRAM FOR EARNED STATUS ADJUSTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS

Sec. 101. Blue card status.
Sec. 102. Adjustment to permanent resident status.
Sec. 103. Use of information.
Sec. 104. Reports on blue cards.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.
            TITLE II--CORRECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS

Sec. 201. Correction of Social Security records.
                         TITLE III--DEFINITIONS

Sec. 301. Definitions.

 TITLE I--PROGRAM FOR EARNED STATUS ADJUSTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS

SEC. 101. BLUE CARD STATUS.

    (a) Requirements for Blue Card Status.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary, may grant blue card status to an alien 
who--
            (1)(A) has completed qualified work;
            (B)(i) is the spouse or child of an alien described in 
        subparagraph (A);
            (ii) was physically present in the United States on or 
        before the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (iii) has maintained continuous presence in the United 
        States from that date until the date on which the alien is 
        granted blue card status; or
            (C) is, or has been, a nonimmigrant alien admitted to the 
        United States for agricultural employment described in section 
        101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of such Act who has completed qualified 
        work;
            (2) is not ineligible under subsection (d)(2);
            (3) submits a completed application before the end of the 
        period set forth in subsection (b)(3);
            (4) passes the national security and law enforcement 
        clearances required under subsection (d)(1) to the satisfactory 
        of the Secretary; and
            (5) pays the required processing fees and penalties in 
        accordance with subsection (e).
    (b) Application.--
            (1) Submission requirements.--An alien described in 
        subsection (a)(1) who is seeking blue card status shall submit 
        an application--
                    (A) to the Secretary, with the assistance of an 
                attorney or a nonprofit religious, charitable, social 
                service, or similar organization recognized by the 
                Board of Immigration Appeals under section 292.2 of 
                title 8, Code of Federal Regulations; or
                    (B) to a qualified entity if the applicant consents 
                to the forwarding of the application to the Secretary.
            (2) Evidence of application filing.--As soon as practicable 
        after receiving each application for blue card status under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide the applicant with a 
        document acknowledging the receipt of such application.
            (3) Application period.--
                    (A) Initial period.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall accept 
                applications for blue card status from aliens in the 
                United States during the 18-month period beginning on 
                the date on which the final rule is published in the 
                Federal Register pursuant to subsection (j).
                    (B) Exception.--Aliens described in subsection 
                (a)(1)(C) may apply for blue card status from outside 
                of the United States.
                    (C) Extension.--If the Secretary determines, during 
                the initial period described in subparagraph (A), that 
                additional time is required to process applications for 
                blue card status or for other good cause, the Secretary 
                may extend the period for accepting applications for an 
                additional 18 months.
            (4) Application.--
                    (A) In general.--The application form referred to 
                in paragraph (1) shall collect such information as the 
                Secretary determines necessary and appropriate.
                    (B) Family application.--The Secretary shall 
                establish a process through which an alien may submit a 
                single application under this section on behalf of the 
                alien and his or her spouse and children who meet the 
                requirements set forth in subsection (a)(1)(B).
            (5) Adjudication.--
                    (A) Interview.--The Secretary may interview 
                applicants for blue card status to determine whether 
                they meet the eligibility requirements set forth in 
                this section.
                    (B) Failure to submit sufficient evidence.--The 
                Secretary may deny an application for blue card status 
                submitted by an alien who fails to submit evidence of 
                the alien's eligibility for such status.
                    (C) Notice.--If the Secretary denies an application 
                for blue card status, the Secretary shall--
                            (i) send a written notice to the applicant 
                        that provides the applicant with the basis for 
                        denial; and
                            (ii) provide the alien with an opportunity 
                        to cure the denial within a reasonable time.
                    (D) Amended application.--An alien whose 
                application for blue card status is denied under 
                subparagraph (B) may submit an amended application for 
                such status to the Secretary if the amended 
                application--
                            (i) is submitted within the application 
                        period described in paragraph (3); and
                            (ii) contains all the required information 
                        and fees that were missing from the initial 
                        application.
                    (E) Additional procedures.--The Secretary may 
                utilize the procedures set forth in sections 103.2 and 
                103.3 of title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, as in 
                effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, to 
                adjudicate requests for blue card status to the extent 
                such procedures are consistent with the requirements 
                under this section.
            (6) Evidence of blue card status.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall issue 
                documentary evidence of blue card status to each alien 
                whose application for such status has been approved.
                    (B) Documentation features.--Documentary evidence 
                provided under subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) shall be machine-readable and tamper-
                        resistant;
                            (ii) shall contain a digitized photograph;
                            (iii) shall, during the alien's authorized 
                        period of admission, and any extension of such 
                        authorized admission, serve as a valid travel 
                        and entry document for the purpose of applying 
                        for admission to the United States;
                            (iv) may be accepted during the period of 
                        its validity by an employer as evidence of 
                        employment authorization and identity under 
                        section 274A(b)(1)(B) of the Immigration and 
                        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)(1)(B)); and
                            (v) shall include such other features and 
                        information as the Secretary may prescribe.
    (c) Special Rules for Blue Card Applicants and Aliens Eligible for 
Blue Card Status.--
            (1) Aliens apprehended before or during the application 
        period.--If an alien, who is apprehended during the period 
        beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending 
        on the last day of the application period described in 
        paragraph (3), appears prima facie eligible for blue card 
        status, the Secretary--
                    (A) shall provide the alien with a reasonable 
                opportunity to submit an application for such status 
                under this section during such application period; and
                    (B) may not remove the individual until a final 
                administrative determination is made on the 
                application.
            (2) Aliens in removal proceedings.--Notwithstanding any 
        other provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
        U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) if an alien is in removal, deportation, or 
        exclusion proceedings during the period beginning on the date 
        of the enactment of this Act and ending on the last day of the 
        application period described in subsection (b)(3) and is prima 
        facie eligible for blue card status under this section, upon 
        motion by the Secretary and with the consent of the alien or 
        upon motion by the alien, the Executive Office for Immigration 
        Review shall--
                    (A) terminate such proceedings without prejudice to 
                future proceedings; and
                    (B) permit the alien a reasonable opportunity to 
                apply for such status.
            (3) Treatment of aliens previously ordered removed.--
                    (A) In general.--If an alien who meets the 
                eligibility requirements set forth in subsection (a) is 
                present in the United States and has been ordered 
                excluded, deported, or removed, or ordered to depart 
                voluntarily from the United States under any provision 
                of the Immigration and Nationality Act--
                            (i) notwithstanding such order or section 
                        241(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality 
                        Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(a)(5)), the alien may apply 
                        for blue card status under this section; and
                            (ii) if the alien is granted such status, 
                        the alien may file a motion to reopen the 
                        exclusion, deportation, removal, or voluntary 
                        departure order, which motion shall be granted.
                    (B) Limitations on motions to reopen.--The 
                limitations on motions to reopen set forth in section 
                240(c)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
                U.S.C. 1229a(c)(7)) shall not apply to motions filed 
                under subparagraph (A)(ii).
            (4) Period pending adjudication of application.--During the 
        period beginning on the date on which an alien applies for blue 
        card status under this section and ending on the date on which 
        the Secretary makes a final decision regarding such 
        application, the alien--
                    (A) is eligible to apply for advance parole;
                    (B) may not be detained by the Secretary or removed 
                from the United States unless the Secretary makes a 
                prima facie determination that such alien is, or has 
                become, ineligible for blue card status under 
                subsection (d)(2);
                    (C) shall not be considered unlawfully present 
                under section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and 
                Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)(B)); and
                    (D) shall not be considered an unauthorized alien 
                (as defined in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration 
                and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3))).
            (5) Effect of departure.--Section 101(g) of the Immigration 
        and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(g)) shall not apply to an 
        alien granted--
                    (A) advance parole under paragraph (4)(A) to 
                reenter the United States; or
                    (B) blue card status.
            (6) Protection from detention or removal during blue card 
        status.--An alien granted blue card status under this section 
        may not be detained by the Secretary or removed from the United 
        States unless--
                    (A) the alien is removable under 237 of the 
                Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227); or
                    (B) the alien's blue card status has been revoked.
            (7) Duration of status.--Beginning on the date that is 
        eight years after the date on which regulations are published 
        under subsection (j), no alien may remain in blue card status.
    (d) Required Background Investigations and Ineligibility.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Biometric and biographic data.--The Secretary 
                may not grant blue card status to an alien or an alien 
                dependent spouse or child under this section unless 
                such alien submits biometric and biographic data in 
                accordance with procedures established by the 
                Secretary.
                    (B) Alternative procedures.--The Secretary shall 
                provide an alternative procedure for applicants who 
                cannot provide the standard biometric data required 
                under subparagraph (A) because of a physical 
                impairment.
                    (C) Data collection.--The Secretary shall collect, 
                from each alien applying for status under this section, 
                biometric, biographic, and other data that the 
                Secretary determines to be appropriate in order to 
                conduct a background investigation and determine the 
                alien's eligibility for blue card status.
            (2) Grounds for ineligibility.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), an alien is ineligible for blue card status if the 
                Secretary determines that the alien--
                            (i) has a conviction for--
                                    (I) an offense classified as a 
                                felony in the convicting jurisdiction 
                                (other than a State or local offense 
                                for which an essential element was the 
                                alien's immigration status, or a 
                                violation of the Immigration and 
                                Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et 
                                seq.);
                                    (II) an aggravated felony (as 
                                defined in section 101(a)(43) of the 
                                Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
                                U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)) at the time of the 
                                conviction);
                                    (III) 3 or more misdemeanor 
                                offenses (other than minor traffic 
                                offenses or State or local offenses for 
                                which an essential element was the 
                                alien's immigration status, or 
                                violations of the Immigration and 
                                Nationality Act) if the alien was 
                                convicted on different dates for each 
                                of the 3 offenses;
                                    (IV) any offense under foreign law, 
                                except for a purely political offense, 
                                which, if the offense had been 
                                committed in the United States, would 
                                render the alien inadmissible under 
                                section 212(a) of the Immigration and 
                                Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)), 
                                excluding the paragraphs set forth in 
                                clause (ii), or removable under section 
                                237(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)), 
                                except as provided in paragraph (3) of 
                                such section 237(a); or
                                    (V) unlawful voting (as defined in 
                                section 237(a)(6) of the Immigration 
                                and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
                                1227(a)(6)));
                            (ii) is inadmissible under section 212(a) 
                        of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
                        U.S.C. 1182(a)), except that in determining an 
                        alien's inadmissibility--
                                    (I) paragraphs (4), (5), (7), and 
                                (9)(B) of such section 212(a) shall not 
                                apply;
                                    (II) subparagraphs (A), (C), (D), 
                                (F), and (G) of such section 212(a)(6) 
                                and paragraphs (9)(C) and (10)(B) of 
                                such section 212(a) shall not apply 
                                unless based on the act of unlawfully 
                                entering the United States after the 
                                date of the enactment of this Act; and
                                    (III) paragraphs (6)(B) and (9)(A) 
                                of such section 212(a) shall not apply 
                                unless the relevant conduct began on or 
                                after the date on which the alien files 
                                an application for registered 
                                provisional immigrant status under this 
                                section;
                            (iii) is an alien who the Secretary knows 
                        or has reasonable grounds to believe, is 
                        engaged in or is likely to engage after entry 
                        in any terrorist activity (as defined in 
                        section 212(a)(3)(B)(iv) of such Act); or
                            (iv) was, on the date of the enactment of 
                        this Act--
                                    (I) an alien lawfully admitted for 
                                permanent residence; or
                                    (II) an alien admitted as a refugee 
                                under section 207 of the Immigration 
                                and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) or 
                                granted asylum under section 208 of 
                                such Act (8 U.S.C. 1158).
                    (B) Waiver.--
                            (i) In general.--The Secretary may waive 
                        the application of subparagraph (A)(i)(III) or 
                        any provision of section 212(a) of the 
                        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
                        1182(a)) that is not listed in clause (ii) on 
                        behalf of an alien for humanitarian purposes, 
                        to ensure family unity, or if such a waiver is 
                        otherwise in the public interest. Any 
                        discretionary authority to waive grounds of 
                        inadmissibility under such section 212(a) 
                        conferred under any other provision of the 
                        Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply 
                        equally to aliens seeking blue card status 
                        under this section.
                            (ii) Exceptions.--The discretionary 
                        authority under clause (i) may not be used to 
                        waive--
                                    (I) subparagraph (B), (C), (D)(ii), 
                                (E), (G), (H), or (I) of section 
                                212(a)(2) of such Act;
                                    (II) section 212(a)(3) of such Act; 
                                or
                                    (III) subparagraph (A), (C), (D), 
                                or (E) of section 212(a)(10) of such 
                                Act.
                    (C) Conviction explained.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, the term ``conviction'' does not include a 
                judgment that has been expunged, set aside, or the 
                equivalent.
                    (D) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph may be construed to require the Secretary to 
                commence removal proceedings against an alien.
    (e) Fees and Penalties.--
            (1) Standard processing fee.--Aliens 16 years of age or 
        older who are applying for blue card status under this 
        subsection, or for an extension of such status, shall pay a 
        processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security in an 
        amount determined by the Secretary.
            (2) Recovery of costs.--The processing fee authorized under 
        paragraph (1) shall be set at a level that is sufficient to 
        recover the full costs of processing the application, including 
        any costs incurred--
                    (A) to adjudicate the application;
                    (B) to take and process biometric data;
                    (C) to perform national security and criminal 
                checks, including adjudication;
                    (D) to prevent and investigate fraud; and
                    (E) to administer the collection of such fee.
            (3) Authority to limit fees.--The Secretary may issue 
        regulations--
                    (A) to limit the maximum processing fee payable 
                under this subsection by a family, including spouses 
                and unmarried children younger than 21 years of age; 
                and
                    (B) to exempt defined classes of individuals from 
                the payment of the fee required under paragraph (1).
            (4) Penalty.--In addition to the processing fee required 
        under paragraph (1), aliens applying for blue card status under 
        this subsection who are 21 years of age or older shall pay a 
        $100 penalty to the Department of Homeland Security.
            (5) Deposit and use of processing fees and penalties.--Fees 
        and penalties authorized under this subsection--
                    (A) shall be deposited into the Immigration 
                Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m) of 
                the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)); 
                and
                    (B) shall remain available until expended pursuant 
                to section 286(n) of such Act.
    (f) Terms and Conditions of Blue Card Status.--
            (1) Conditions of blue card status.--
                    (A) Employment.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, including section 241(a)(7) of the 
                Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(a)(7)), 
                an alien with blue card status shall be authorized to 
                be employed in the United States while in such status.
                    (B) Travel outside the united states.--An alien 
                with blue card status--
                            (i) may travel outside of the United 
                        States, including commuting to the United 
                        States from a residence in a foreign country; 
                        and
                            (ii) may be admitted upon returning to the 
                        United States without having to obtain a visa 
                        if--
                                    (I) the alien is in possession of--
                                            (aa) valid, unexpired 
                                        documentary evidence of blue 
                                        card status that complies with 
                                        subsection (b)(6)(B); or
                                            (bb) a travel document that 
                                        has been approved by the 
                                        Secretary and was issued to the 
                                        alien after the alien's 
                                        original documentary evidence 
                                        was lost, stolen, or destroyed;
                                    (II) the alien's absence from the 
                                United States did not exceed 180 days, 
                                unless the alien's failure to timely 
                                return was due to extenuating 
                                circumstances beyond the alien's 
                                control; and
                                    (III) the alien establishes that he 
                                or she is not inadmissible under 
                                subparagraph (A)(i), (A)(iii), (B), or 
                                (C) of section 212(a)(3) of the 
                                Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
                                U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)).
                    (C) Admission.--An alien granted blue card status 
                shall be considered to have been admitted in such 
                status as of the date on which the alien's application 
                was submitted.
                    (D) Clarification of status.--An alien granted blue 
                card status shall be considered lawfully admitted to 
                the United States.
            (2) Revocation.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary may revoke blue card 
                status at any time after providing appropriate notice 
                to the alien, and after the exhaustion or waiver of all 
                applicable administrative review procedures if the 
                alien--
                            (i) no longer meets the eligibility 
                        requirements for blue card status;
                            (ii) knowingly used documentation issued 
                        under this section for an unlawful or 
                        fraudulent purpose; or
                            (iii) was absent from the United States 
                        for--
                                    (I) any single period longer than 
                                180 days in violation of the 
                                requirement under paragraph 
                                (1)(B)(ii)(II); or
                                    (II) for more than 180 days in the 
                                aggregate during any calendar year, 
                                unless the alien's failure to timely 
                                return was due to extenuating 
                                circumstances beyond the alien's 
                                control.
                    (B) Additional evidence.--
                            (i) In general.--In determining whether to 
                        revoke an alien's status under subparagraph 
                        (A), the Secretary may require the alien--
                                    (I) to submit additional evidence; 
                                and
                                    (II) to appear for an interview.
                            (ii) Effect of noncompliance.--The blue 
                        card status of an alien who fails to comply 
                        with any requirement imposed by the Secretary 
                        under clause (i) shall be revoked unless the 
                        alien demonstrates to the Secretary's 
                        satisfaction that such failure was reasonably 
                        excusable.
                    (C) Invalidation of documentation.--If an alien's 
                blue card status is revoked pursuant to subparagraph 
                (A), any documentation issued by the Secretary to such 
                alien under subsection (b)(6) shall automatically be 
                rendered invalid for any purpose except for departure 
                from the United States.
            (3) Ineligibility for public benefits.--An alien who has 
        been granted blue card status is not eligible for the Federal 
        means-tested public benefits unavailable to qualified aliens 
        under section 403 of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
        Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613)).
            (4) Treatment of blue card status.--An alien granted blue 
        card status shall be considered lawfully present in the United 
        States for all purposes while such alien remains in such 
        status, except that the alien--
                    (A) is not entitled to the premium assistance tax 
                credit authorized under section 36B of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 36B) for his or her 
                coverage;
                    (B) shall be subject to the rules applicable to 
                individuals who are not lawfully present set forth in 
                subsection (e) of such section;
                    (C) shall be subject to the rules applicable to 
                individuals who are not lawfully present set forth in 
                section 1402(e) of the Patient Protection and 
                Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071(e)); and
                    (D) shall be subject to the rules applicable to 
                individuals not lawfully present set forth in section 
                5000A(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 
                U.S.C. 5000A(d)(3)).
    (g) Provisions Involving Employers.--
            (1) Record of employment.--Employers of aliens granted blue 
        card status shall provide the alien and the Secretary with a 
        written record of employment each year the alien remains in 
        such status.
            (2) Civil penalties.--
                    (A) In general.--If the Secretary determines, after 
                notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that an 
                employer of an alien granted blue card status has 
                knowingly failed to provide the record of employment 
                required under paragraph (1) or has provided a false 
                statement of material fact in such a record, the 
                employer shall be subject to a civil penalty in an 
                amount not to exceed $500 per violation.
                    (B) Limitation.--The penalty under subparagraph (A) 
                for failure to provide employment records shall not 
                apply unless the alien has provided the employer with 
                evidence of employment authorization described in 
                subsection (b)(11).
                    (C) Deposit of civil penalties.--Civil penalties 
                collected under this paragraph shall be deposited into 
                the Immigration Examinations Fee Account pursuant to 
                section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
                (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)).
            (3) Continuing employment.--An employer that knows an alien 
        employee is an applicant for blue card status or will apply for 
        such status once the application period commences is not in 
        violation of section 274A(a)(2) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(2)) if the employer 
        continues to employ the alien pending the adjudication of the 
        alien employee's application.
            (4) Employer protections.--
                    (A) Use of employment records.--Copies of 
                employment records or other evidence of employment 
                provided by an alien or by an alien's employer in 
                support of an alien's application for blue card status 
                may not be used in a civil or criminal prosecution or 
                investigation of that employer under section 274A of 
                the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a) or 
                the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the prior 
                unlawful employment of that alien regardless of the 
                adjudication of such application or reconsideration by 
                the Secretary of such alien's prima facie eligibility 
                determination. Employers that provide unauthorized 
                aliens with copies of employment records or other 
                evidence of employment pursuant to an application for 
                blue card status shall not be subject to civil and 
                criminal liability pursuant to such section 274A for 
                employing such unauthorized aliens.
                    (B) Limit on applicability.--The protections for 
                employers and aliens under subparagraph (A) shall not 
                apply if the aliens or employers submit employment 
                records that are determined to be fraudulent.
    (h) Administrative and Judicial Review.--
            (1) In general.--Any administrative or judicial review of a 
        determination regarding an application for blue card status 
        shall comply with the requirements under this subsection.
            (2) Administrative review.--
                    (A) Single level of appellate review.--The 
                Secretary shall establish an appellate authority to 
                provide for a single level of administration appellate 
                review of a final agency determination.
                    (B) Standard for review.--An administrative 
                appellate review established under subparagraph (A) 
                shall be based solely upon--
                            (i) the administrative record established 
                        at the time of the determination regarding the 
                        application; and
                            (ii) any additional or newly discovered 
                        evidence that was not available at the time of 
                        a final agency determination.
            (3) Judicial review.--Judicial review of a determination 
        under this section shall be limited to the review of an order 
        of removal under section 242 of the Immigration and Nationality 
        Act (8 U.S.C. 1252).
    (i) Disclosures and Privacy.--
            (1) Prohibited disclosures.--Except as otherwise provided 
        in this subsection, no officer or employee of any Federal 
        agency may--
                    (A) use the information furnished in an application 
                for lawful status under this section or section 245B of 
                the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by 
                section 102, for any purpose other than to make a 
                determination on any application by the alien for any 
                immigration benefit or protection;
                    (B) make any publication through which information 
                furnished by any particular applicant can be 
                identified; or
                    (C) permit anyone other than the sworn officers, 
                employees, and contractors of such agency or of another 
                entity approved by the Secretary to examine any 
                individual application for lawful status under this 
                section or such section 245B.
            (2) Required disclosures.--The Secretary shall provide the 
        information furnished in an application filed under this 
        section or section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 
        as added by section 102, and any other information derived from 
        such furnished information to--
                    (A) a law enforcement agency, intelligence agency, 
                national security agency, a component of the Department 
                of Homeland Security, court, or grand jury, consistent 
                with law, in connection with--
                            (i) a criminal investigation or prosecution 
                        of any felony not related to the applicant's 
                        immigration status; or
                            (ii) a national security investigation or 
                        prosecution; and
                    (B) an official coroner for purposes of 
                affirmatively identifying a deceased individual, 
                whether or not the death of such individual resulted 
                from a crime.
            (3) Auditing and evaluation of information.--The Secretary 
        may--
                    (A) audit and evaluate information furnished as 
                part of any application filed under this section or 
                section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as 
                added by section 102, for purposes of identifying 
                immigration fraud or fraud schemes; and
                    (B) use any evidence detected by means of audits 
                and evaluations for purposes of investigating, 
                prosecuting, referring for prosecution, or denying or 
                terminating immigration benefits.
            (4) Privacy and civil liberties.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary, in accordance with 
                paragraph (1), shall require appropriate administrative 
                and physical safeguards to protect the security, 
                confidentiality, and integrity of personally 
                identifiable information collected, maintained, and 
                disseminated pursuant to this section and section 245B 
                of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by 
                section 102.
                    (B) Assessments.--Notwithstanding the privacy 
                requirements set forth in section 222 of the Homeland 
                Security Act (6 U.S.C. 142) and the E-Government Act of 
                2002 (Public Law 107-347), the Secretary shall conduct 
                a privacy impact assessment and a civil liberties 
                impact assessment of the legalization program 
                established under this section and section 245B of the 
                Immigration and Nationality Act during the pendency of 
                the final regulations to be issued pursuant to 
                subsection (j).
    (j) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to 
implement this section.

SEC. 102. ADJUSTMENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title II (8 U.S.C. 1255 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 245A the following:

``SEC. 245B. ADJUSTMENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL 
              WORKERS.

    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), and not 
earlier than 5 years after the date of the enactment of the 
Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017, the Secretary shall adjust the 
status of an alien granted blue card status to that of an alien 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the Secretary determines 
that the following requirements are satisfied:
            ``(1) Qualifying employment.--Except as provided in 
        paragraph (3), the alien--
                    ``(A) during the 8-year period beginning on the 
                date of the enactment of the Agricultural Worker 
                Program Act of 2017, performed not less than 100 work 
                days of agricultural employment during each of 5 years; 
                or
                    ``(B) during the 5-year period beginning on such 
                date of enactment, performed not less than 150 work 
                days of agricultural employment during each of 3 years.
            ``(2) Evidence.--An alien may demonstrate compliance with 
        the requirement under paragraph (1) by submitting to the 
        Secretary--
                    ``(A) the alien's record of employment (as 
                described in section 101(d) of the Agricultural Worker 
                Program Act of 2017);
                    ``(B) documentation that may be submitted under 
                subsection (e)(4); or
                    ``(C) any other documentation designated by the 
                Secretary for such purpose.
            ``(3) Extraordinary circumstances.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In determining whether an alien 
                has met the requirement under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary may credit the alien with not more than 12 
                additional months of agricultural employment in the 
                United States to meet such requirement if the alien was 
                unable to work in agricultural employment due to--
                            ``(i) pregnancy, disabling injury, or 
                        disease established by the alien through 
                        medical records;
                            ``(ii) illness, disease, or other special 
                        needs of the alien's child established by the 
                        alien through medical records;
                            ``(iii) severe weather conditions that 
                        prevented the alien from engaging in 
                        agricultural employment for a significant 
                        period; or
                            ``(iv) termination from agricultural 
                        employment, if the Secretary determines that--
                                    ``(I) the termination was without 
                                just cause; and
                                    ``(II) the alien was unable to find 
                                alternative agricultural employment 
                                after a reasonable job search.
                    ``(B) Effect of determination.--A determination 
                under subparagraph (A)(iv), with respect to an alien, 
                shall not be conclusive, binding, or admissible in a 
                separate or subsequent judicial or administrative 
                action or proceeding between the alien and a current or 
                prior employer of the alien or any other party.
            ``(4) Application period.--The alien applies for adjustment 
        of status before the expiration of the alien's blue card 
        status.
            ``(5) Fine.--The alien pays a fine of $400 to the 
        Secretary, which shall be deposited into the Immigration 
        Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m).
    ``(b) Grounds for Denial of Adjustment of Status.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not adjust the status 
        of an alien granted blue card status if the alien--
                    ``(A) is no longer eligible for blue card status; 
                or
                    ``(B) failed to perform the qualifying employment 
                required under subsection (a)(1), after considering any 
                amount credited by the Secretary under subsection 
                (a)(3).
            ``(2) Maintenance of waivers of inadmissibility.--The 
        grounds of inadmissibility set forth in section 212(a) that 
        were previously waived for the alien or made inapplicable shall 
        not apply for purposes of the alien's adjustment of status 
        under this section.
            ``(3) Pending revocation proceedings.--If the Secretary has 
        notified the applicant that the Secretary intends to revoke the 
        applicant's blue card status, the Secretary may not approve an 
        application for adjustment of status under this section unless 
        the Secretary makes a final determination not to revoke the 
        applicant's status.
            ``(4) Payment of taxes.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An alien may not file an 
                application for adjustment of status under this section 
                unless the applicant has satisfied any applicable 
                Federal tax liability.
                    ``(B) Definition of applicable federal tax 
                liability.--In this paragraph, the term `applicable 
                federal tax liability' means all Federal income taxes 
                assessed in accordance with section 6203 of the 
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986 since the date on which 
                the applicant was authorized to work in the United 
                States in blue card status.
                    ``(C) Compliance.--An alien may demonstrate 
                compliance with subparagraph (A) by submitting such 
                documentation as the Secretary, in consultation with 
                the Secretary of the Treasury, may require by 
                regulation.
    ``(c) Spouses and Children.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Secretary shall grant permanent resident status to the spouse 
or child of an alien whose status was adjusted under subsection (a) 
if--
            ``(1) the spouse or child (including any individual who was 
        a child on the date such alien was granted blue card status) 
        applies for or received such status;
            ``(2) the principal alien includes the spouse and children 
        in an application for adjustment of status to that of a lawful 
        permanent resident; and
            ``(3) the spouse or child is not ineligible for such 
        status.
    ``(d) Numerical Limitations.--The numerical limitations under 
sections 201 and 202 shall not apply to the adjustment of aliens to 
lawful permanent resident status under this section.
    ``(e) Submission of Applications.--
            ``(1) Interview.--The Secretary may interview applications 
        for adjustment of status under this section to determine 
        whether the alien meets the eligibility requirements set forth 
        in this section.
            ``(2) Fees.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Applicants for adjustment of 
                status under this section shall pay a processing fee to 
                the Secretary in an amount that will ensure the 
                recovery of the full costs of adjudicating such 
                applications, including--
                            ``(i) the cost of taking and processing 
                        biometric data;
                            ``(ii) expenses relating to prevention and 
                        investigation of fraud; and
                            ``(iii) costs relating to the collection of 
                        such fee.
                    ``(B) Authority to limit fees.--The Secretary, by 
                regulation--
                            ``(i) may limit the maximum processing fee 
                        payable under this paragraph by a family, 
                        including spouses and children; and
                            ``(ii) may exempt defined classes of 
                        individuals from the payment of the fee under 
                        subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Disposition of fees.--All fees collected under 
        paragraph (2)(A)--
                    ``(A) shall be deposited into the Immigration 
                Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m); 
                and
                    ``(B) shall remain available until expended 
                pursuant to section 286(n).
            ``(4) Documentation of work history.--
                    ``(A) Burden of proof.--An alien applying for blue 
                card status under section 101 of the Agricultural 
                Worker Program Act of 2017 or for adjustment of status 
                under subsection (a) shall provide evidence that the 
                alien has worked the requisite number of hours or days 
                required under subsection (a)(1) of such section 101 or 
                subsection (a)(1) of this section, as applicable.
                    ``(B) Timely production of records.--If an employer 
                or farm labor contractor employing such an alien has 
                kept proper and adequate records respecting such 
                employment, the alien's burden of proof under 
                subparagraph (A) may be met by securing timely 
                production of those records under regulations to be 
                promulgated by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Sufficient evidence.--An alien may meet the 
                burden of proof under subparagraph (A) to establish 
                that the alien has performed the days or hours of work 
                referred to in subparagraph (A) by producing sufficient 
                evidence to show the extent of that employment as a 
                matter of just and reasonable inference.
    ``(f) Penalties for False Statements in Applications.--
            ``(1) Criminal penalty.--Any person who--
                    ``(A) files an application for blue card status 
                under section 101 of the Agricultural Worker Program 
                Act of 2017 or for an adjustment of status under this 
                section and knowingly and willfully falsifies, 
                conceals, or covers up a material fact or makes any 
                false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or 
                representations, or makes or uses any false writing or 
                document knowing the same to contain any false, 
                fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; or
                    ``(B) creates or supplies a false writing or 
                document for use in making such an application,
        shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, 
        imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
            ``(2) Inadmissibility.--An alien who is convicted of a 
        crime described in paragraph (1) shall be deemed inadmissible 
        to the United States on the ground described in section 
        212(a)(6)(C)(i).
            ``(3) Deposit.--Fines collected under paragraph (1) shall 
        be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account 
        pursuant to section 286(m).
    ``(g) Eligibility for Legal Services.--Section 504(a)(11) of the 
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104-134; 110 Stat. 1321-
55) may not be construed to prevent a recipient of funds under the 
Legal Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.) from providing 
legal assistance directly related to an application for blue card 
status under section 101 of the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 
2017, to an individual who has been granted blue card status, or for an 
application for an adjustment of status under this section.
    ``(h) Administrative and Judicial Review.--Aliens applying for blue 
card status under section 101 of the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 
2017 or for adjustment to permanent resident status under this section 
shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the conditions 
applicable to other classes of aliens under section 242.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
                    ``(E) Aliens granted lawful permanent resident 
                status under section 245B.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 245A the following:

``Sec. 245B. Adjustment to permanent resident status for agricultural 
                            workers.''.

SEC. 103. USE OF INFORMATION.

    Beginning not later than the first day of the application period 
described in section 101(b)(3), the Secretary, in cooperation with 
qualified designated entities, shall broadly disseminate information 
regarding--
            (1) the benefits that aliens may receive under this title 
        and the amendments made by this title; and
            (2) the requirements that an alien is required to meet to 
        receive such benefits.

SEC. 104. REPORTS ON BLUE CARDS.

    Not later than six months after the publication of the final rule 
under section 101(j), and annually thereafter for the following eight 
years, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that identifies, 
for the previous fiscal year--
            (1) the number of aliens who applied for blue card status;
            (2) the number of aliens who were granted blue card status;
            (3) the number of aliens who applied for an adjustment of 
        status pursuant to section 245B(a) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act, as added by section 102; and
            (4) the number of aliens who received an adjustment of 
        status pursuant such section 245B(a).

SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such 
amounts as may be necessary to implement this title, including any 
amounts needed for costs associated with the initiation of such 
implementation during fiscal years 2017 and 2018.

            TITLE II--CORRECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS

SEC. 201. CORRECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 208(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 408(e)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or'' at the end;
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
                    ``(D) who is granted blue card status under section 
                101 of the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017,''; 
                and
            (4) in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (D), 
        as added by paragraph (3), by striking ``1990.'' and inserting 
        ``1990, or in the case of an alien described in subparagraph 
        (D), if such conduct is alleged to have occurred before the 
        date on which the alien was granted blue card status under 
        section 101(a) of the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 
        2017.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

                         TITLE III--DEFINITIONS

SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Agricultural employment.--The term ``agricultural 
        employment'' has the meaning given such term in section 3 of 
        the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 
        U.S.C. 1802), without regard to whether the specific service or 
        activity is temporary or seasonal.
            (2) Blue card status.--The term ``blue card status'' means 
        the status of an alien who has been lawfully admitted into the 
        United States for temporary residence under section 101.
            (3) Child.--The term ``child'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality 
        Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)).
            (4) Continuous presence.--An alien shall be deemed to have 
        maintained ``continuous presence'' in the United States for 
        purposes of section 101(a)(1)(B)(iii) if any absences from the 
        United States during the applicable period were brief, casual, 
        and innocent, whether or not such absences were authorized by 
        the Secretary.
            (5) Employer.--The term ``employer'' means any person or 
        entity, including any farm labor contractor and any 
        agricultural association, that employs workers in agricultural 
        employment.
            (6) Qualified designated entity.--The term ``qualified 
        designated entity'' means--
                    (A) a qualified farm labor organization or an 
                association of employers designated by the Secretary; 
                or
                    (B) any other entity that the Secretary designates 
                as having substantial experience, demonstrated 
                competence, and a history of long-term involvement in 
                the preparation and submission of application for 
                adjustment of status under title II of the Immigration 
                and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
            (7) Qualified work.--The term ``qualified work'' means work 
        performed in agricultural employment in the United States for 
        not fewer than 575 hours or 100 work days during the 2-year 
        period ending on the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.
            (9) Work day.--The term ``work day'' means any day in which 
        the individual is employed 5.75 or more hours in agricultural 
        employment.
                                 <all>