|
What is AgJOBS?
The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act (“AgJOBS”)
represents a major compromise between farmworker advocates (led by
the United Farm Workers) and major agricultural employers to address
the agricultural immigration crisis. On January 10, 2007, the
Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007,
was introduced as S. 340 in the Senate (AgJOBS was initially
introduced as S. 237, but was later reintroduced as S. 340) and H.R.
371 in the House of Representatives.
AgJOBS contains two main parts: (1) an “earned legalization”
program enabling many undocumented farmworkers and H-2A guestworkers
to earn a “blue card” temporary immigration status with the
possibility of becoming permanent residents of the U.S. by
continuing to work in agriculture and by meeting additional
requirements; and (2) revisions to the existing H-2A
temporary foreign agricultural worker program.
AgJOBS Sponsors
AgJOBS currently has
30 cosponsors in the Senate and
50 cosponsors in the House of Representatives
Legislative Language
Read the
text of the Senate bill,
S. 340, and the House bill,
H.R. 371
Joint Labor-Management Sign-on Letter in Support of AgJOBS
This letter contains over 850 sign-ons! Thanks to all of you
who showed your support for farmworkers by joining the sign-on
letter. The number and diversity of sign-ons sends a powerful
message of the widespread support for AgJOBS to Congress. A
copy was sent to every member of Congress.
Summaries and Descriptions
The version of AgJOBS introduced this Congress is substantially the
same as the version passed last year by the Senate, with some minor
adjustments to the work requirements and a clarification of the
status of spouses and minor children of farmworkers during the “blue
card” status period.
For a
two page description of the AgJOBS legislation, read the Farmworker
Justice Bulletin entitled
Summary of AgJOBS: The Agricultural Job
Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007
en
Español
Read a more
detailed,
six-page summary of AgJOBS can be found
here
Farmworker Justice
also has prepared summary of
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's)
about the earned legalization program in AgJOBS. Preguntas
Frecuentes Sobre la Propuesta de Ley AgJOBS en español.
Modified version of AgJOBS in Senate Comprehensive Immigration Bill
(S. 1348 and S. 1639)
In May 2007, the White House and several key Senators reached
agreement on a comprehensive immigration package that included a
revised version of AgJOBS. The United Farm Workers and major
agribusiness groups accepted these changes after negotiations with
Senators and the White House, led by Secretary of Homeland Security
Chertoff and Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez. The compromise
legislation failed in July 2007 as a result of a filibuster.
For a description of the version of AgJOBS in the comprehensive
immigration bill, read the summaries below.
For a description of AgJOBS that includes an analysis of version of
AgJOBS reached during Senate -White House Agreement on Immigration
Reform in June 2007, please click
here.
En español
- haga clic
aquí.
Read a more
detailed, six-page summary of the modified version of AgJOBS
in the Senate comprehensive immigration legislation.
Worker Education Material
These illustrated hand-outs are intended to help educate farmworkers
about the basic concepts of AgJOBS, suggestions for preparing for
the legalization program in case it is passed, and, and the need to
avoid “notarios” and other “immigration consultants” who may seek to
take farmworkers’ money based on false promises. The materials are
intended for use during this time of Congressional debate before
action is taken.
Worker
education materials are available in English and Spanish. The
two-page handouts are in good-quality resolution for printing and
copying on one sheet of paper (front and back).
In English
En español
We can
mail you copies of these as well; click on “contact us” at the
bottom of this page to send us an email message with your name,
organization, e-mail and street addresses, and number of copies
needed.
Talking Points
You can contact your Senators or Representative and ask them to
support AgJOBS by helping to bring AgJOBS to a vote and by
vigorously support passage.
Click here for Talking Points that you can use during your calls.
|
