Dairy and Sheep H–2A Visa Enhancement Act

Bill: 116-hr-1778
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Brindisi, Anthony [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2019-03-14
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Department of Labor

Foreign labor

Immigration status and procedures

Livestock

Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor

Temporary and part-time employment

Visas and passports
Latest action: action_date: 2019-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-03-14
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Dairy and Sheep H-2A Visa Enhancement Act</b></p> <p>This bill expands the H-2A nonimmigrant visa category (temporary agricultural workers) to include dairy workers and sheepherders. The initial period of admission for such temporary workers shall be for three years, and may be extended for additional three-year periods. No period of absence from the United States shall be necessary for an extension.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1778 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 14, 2019 Mr. Brindisi (for himself and Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary , and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor , 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 amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a special rule for the period of admission of H–2A nonimmigrants employed as dairy workers and sheepherders, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Dairy and Sheep H–2A Visa Enhancement Act . 2. Nonimmigrant status for dairy workers and sheepherders Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) ) is amended by inserting after abandoning the following: who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services as a sheepherder or dairy worker, or . 3. Special rule for period of admission of H–2A nonimmigrants employed as sheepherders or dairy workers Section 218(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1188(h) ) is amended by adding at the end of the following: (3) In the case of an alien admitted as an H–2A worker for employment as a dairy worker or sheepherder— (A) the initial period of admission shall be for a period of 3 years; (B) the period of admission may be extended for additional periods of 3 years; and (C) no period of absence from the United States may be required as a condition of approval of an extension under subparagraph (B). . 4. Workers engaged in the range production of livestock The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations that address the specific requirements for the provision of housing to workers engaged in the range production of livestock. 5. Range production of livestock Nothing in section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1188 ) shall preclude the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security from continuing to apply special procedures and requirements to the admission and employment of aliens in occupations involving the range production of livestock.