Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1034
115th Congress(2017-2018)
Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on May 3, 2017
Overview
Text
Introduced
May 3, 2017
Latest Action
May 3, 2017
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
1034
Congress
115
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
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
Oregon
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
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.

Text (1)
Actions (2)
05/03/2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
05/03/2017
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:36:31 PM