AWF Supports AgJOBS Bill
AWF sent the following letter to Senator Feinstien and Congressmen Putnam and Berman
Dear Senator Feinstein, Congressman Putnam and Congressman Berman:
On behalf the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF), I wish to thank you for your future introduction of the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2009 (AgJOBS), which will positively reform the current H2-A temporary agricultural worker programs.
As you know, this bill will make the H2-A program more efficient, which decreases the burden on business owners and allows for our nation’s workforce needs to be met in a more timely and effective manner.
Most notably, this bill will accomplish the following:
o Mandates expedited processing of H-2A petitions
o Allows H-2A aliens employed as sheepherders, goat herders or dairy workers to work on an extended 3-year non-immigrant visa without departing the U.S.
o Provides immediate work authorization upon filing petitions for extension of stay
o Mandates removal of aliens who abscond or otherwise violate their visas
o Provides a mechanism for replacing alien workers who abscond or are terminated for cause
o Provides a secure identity and work authorization document for H-2A aliens
For the above reasons and more, I would like to commend you for your introduction of the AgJOBS Act. We will be reaching out to several offices over the coming weeks to encourage them to co-sponsor this vital piece of work reform legislation.
If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Brian M. Johnson, MPA
Executive Director
Comments