PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 7, 2011
American Specialty Agriculture Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H-2C nonimmigrant visa for an alien having a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning and who is coming temporarily (10-month maximum per contract period) to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services, including the pressing of apples for cider on a farm.
Requires an employer or employer association to file an H-2C petition with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) which shall include specified employment-related attestations.
Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) penalties; (2) working conditions, wages, and transportation reimbursement; (3) admissions and extensions of stay; (4) abandonment of employment and worker replacement; (5) legal assistance; and (6) arbitration and mediation.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct investigations and random audits of employer work sites.
Requires an employer to guarantee to offer the worker employment for the hourly equivalent of at least 50% of the work hours during the total anticipated period of employment.
Limits the number of annual fiscal year H-2C admissions. Prohibits the admission of spouses and children of H-2C workers.
Extends coverage under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act to H-2C workers.
Makes the provisions of this Act effective two years after its enactment. Terminates authority to petition for H-2A temporary agricultural workers two years after enactment of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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