Wexton Votes to Pass Landmark Legislation on Immigration

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton voted to pass H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, and H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, two landmark pieces of legislation to modernize and reform our immigration system and secure permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been, and will continue to be, key to the economic recovery of our nation.

"It is long overdue that we address and find solutions for our immigration system and create a pathway to citizenship for our Dreamers," said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. "The bills we voted on today cover multiple facets of this area, and in ways that will benefit our country and our economy. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act not only provides stability for our farm workers but also for our farmers. Agriculture has faced many years of uncertainty and ensuring our farmers have the workforce they need will help us rebuild our ag economy and provide sustainability."

The American Dream and Promise Act -- establishes a path to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status for Dreamers and for certain individuals who either held or were eligible for TPS or DED. The majority of these individuals have been in the United States for much of their lives, often with work authorization and temporary protections against deportation. Five years after attaining full LPR status, individuals are then eligible to apply for citizenship, a path that is supported by nearly 75 percent of the American public. H.R. 6 promotes justice and fairness for our nation's Dreamers, and for the TPS and DED holders who fled ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary conditions to come to this country and who have been contributing to our economy and our communities for years and are employed at high rates in industries that often struggle to find sufficient U.S. workers.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act-- stabilizes the agricultural sector and preserves our rural heritage by ensuring that farmers can meet their labor needs by establishing a program for agricultural workers, their spouses, and minor children can earn legal Certified Agricultural Worker (CAW) status through continued agricultural employment. H.R. 1603 also reforms the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. And to ensure a legal workforce for the agriculture sector, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act establishes a mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system to ensure compliance with the reformed H-2A visa program while also protecting workers' due process rights.

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