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H.R.242 / 113th Congress

Legal Agricultural Workforce Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 14, 2013

Legal Agricultural Workforce Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a W-visa nonimmigrant classification for temporary agricultural workers.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish: (1) a nonimmigrant temporary agricultural worker program (W-visa) which shall include annual numerical limitations and monthly limitations based on enrollment requests, historical agricultural employment needs, and the reports of U.S. workers applying for agricultural employment; and (2) a trust fund to administer and enforce the program and provide a monetary incentive for such workers to return to their countries upon visa expiration.

Sets forth program provisions, including: (1) enrollment requirements, (2) a visa preference allocation system, (3) a biometric identification card requirement, (4) U.S. worker protections, and (5) visa increases due to extraordinary and unusual employment circumstances.

Makes such agricultural workers ineligible for need-based federal financial assistance.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-15] · R–FL

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Education and Workforce Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security.

    2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    3. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    4. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    5. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    6. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    7. Introduced in House

    8. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

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    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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    Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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