Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 175
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Jan 17, 2019
Overview
Text
Introduced
Jan 17, 2019
Latest Action
Jan 17, 2019
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
175
Congress
116
Policy Area
Immigration
Immigration
Primary focus of measure is administration of immigration and naturalization matters; immigration enforcement procedures; refugees and asylum policies; travel and residence documentation; foreign labor; benefits for immigrants. Measures concerning smuggling and trafficking of persons may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area. Measures concerning refugees may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019

This bill establishes a program for alien agricultural workers to obtain temporary resident status ("blue card status") and procedures to obtain permanent resident status.

An alien shall qualify for the status if he or she performed the required amount of qualified agricultural work. The Department of Homeland Security may grant blue card status to qualified individuals who pass security checks and are not disqualified for various reasons, such as an aggravated felony conviction. DHS may waive certain disqualifications for humanitarian or public interest reasons.

Blue card holders shall be authorized for employment in the United States and travel outside the United States. Such individuals shall be ineligible for various federal benefits, including the healthcare premium assistance tax credit.

Individuals going through deportation or removal proceedings shall be given a chance to apply for blue card status if they qualify.

Blue card holders may apply for permanent resident status, subject to various requirements, including work requirements over a specified time period and payment of federal taxes. Blue card status shall not last longer than eight years.


Text (1)
January 17, 2019
Actions (2)
01/17/2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S294)
01/17/2019
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Nov 1, 2022 2:17:29 PM