WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019. The bill would effectively grant amnesty and a path to citizenship to over one million currently illegal immigrants.
More specifically, the bill would:
- Allow illegal aliens who worked in agriculture for at least 180 days in the last two years, and their spouses and children, to apply for “Certified Agricultural Worker” (CAW) status. This status is valid in five-and-a-half year increments and can be renewed indefinitely.
- Provide “CAW” workers with a green card path to citizenship after an additional period of work in the agriculture industry.
- Enable illegal aliens to be eligible for “CAW” status even if they illegally re-entered the U.S. after a prior removal, committed immigration fraud, or have two serious misdemeanor convictions in certain cases.
- Shield aliens who are eligible for “CAW” status from detention or removal while they apply, even if there are pending criminal charges or other negative factors that could cause the DHS Secretary to deny an application.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“We certainly support America’s farmers and ranchers. However, providing illegal immigrants and their families with amnesty is not the solution to workforce challenges. This bill would hurt America and weaken our justice system.”
