Bracero Program 2.0 Act
Sponsored By: Representative De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Introduced
Summary
Modernize and expand the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. This bill would create a digital portal, raise H-2A wages, and pilot a portable visa to let vetted temporary farmworkers move between registered employers while adding enforcement and worker protections.
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- Workers: It would set H-2A pay at the higher of the state minimum or applicable state wage plus an extra $2.00 per hour and fix authorized stays at one year. Returning workers who pass background checks could skip in-person visa interviews and portable workers would get workers' compensation if not covered by state law.
- Employers and hiring: The bill would require an online portal for employer petitions and job postings, allow a single petition to cover staggered entry dates, and let designated employers hire portable H-2A workers without new petitions. Employer designations could last up to 3 years and the portal must be ready within 18 months.
- Oversight and pilot rules: It would create a 6-year Portable H-2A Visa Pilot with a 10,000 worker cap and a 60-day job transition window. The Department of Labor would fund enforcement through civil penalties and Congress would get program and GAO reports on integrity and worker protections.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
H-2A opens to greenhouse jobs
Greenhouse and indoor farm work would qualify for H-2A visas. It would count whether or not the work is temporary or seasonal. This would expand hiring options for growers and job options for workers. The change would begin upon enactment.
Higher H-2A pay and rights
H-2A workers would be paid at least the state minimum wage plus $2.00 per hour. That wage would count as not harming U.S. worker pay for program approvals. The bill would also swap contract-specific language for broader "employment-related rights." These changes would take effect upon enactment.
One-year H-2A stays, faster returns
H-2A workers would have a fixed one-year admission period to plan work and stays. Returning H-2A workers who pass security checks could have the in-person interview waived. This could cut travel and wait times. These changes would start upon enactment.
Online H-2A hiring portal and jobs
The government would launch an online portal within 18 months for H-2A petitions and job ads. Agencies could process cases at the same time. Employers could post openings once to meet ad rules and show staggered start dates in one petition. A job-matching platform tied to the pilot would let workers search openings by job, dates, and location.
Pilot lets H-2A workers change jobs
DHS would set up a six-year pilot within 18 months. Up to 10,000 H-2A workers could hold portable status and switch among registered employers in the first state of admission. A valid initial job offer would be required, and workers would have 60 days to find new work after a job ends. Registered employers would skip petitions for these hires, must pay required wages, and must provide injury insurance if state workers’ comp does not apply. Employer designations could last up to 3 years with renewal and reasonable fees, and DOL would audit and enforce.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov