The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, if passed, would create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented farm workers as well as their spouses and children. Much of the farm work that is provides America with our food supply is completed by Mexican men, some of which are here under the H-2A visa while others are undocumented. Because the workers are not citizens, they don’t have access to common workplace protections, which is one of the things that this bill aims to change.

Under this bill, farm workers would be eligible to apply for temporary status as a Certified Agricultural Worker. In order to apply for this status, they must be able to prove that they have worked for at least 180 days in agriculture in the U.S. within the past two years. This temporary status would also be available for the worker’s immediate family.

The immigrant workers would then be required to pay a $1,000 fine and complete additional agriculture work. After this period, they would be eligible to apply for permanent resident status and receive their green card. Once an individual holds their green card for five years, they become eligible to apply for citizenship through the naturalization process.

In addition to this pathway to citizenship, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would also help to streamline the H-2A visa process.