Dear john,
Today, I introduced the Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023. The legislation creates an Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better focus on addressing the needs of border colonias communities and farmworkers across the country. This USDA-wide office will coordinate and lead inter-departmental and inter-agency efforts to address the needs of border colonias, farmworkers, and farmworker family members nationwide, including housing, health care, water and wastewater infrastructure, high-speed broadband, education, and more.
The term “Colonias” refers to unincorporated communities within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border that often lack basic amenities - including potable water, wastewater systems, and decent housing. There is no universal list of recognized colonias, but recent studies estimate 2,459 across Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico - 88% of which are located in Texas.
I introduced this bill to ensure both colonias and farmworkers in South Texas have basic necessities and ease their quality of life. The Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023 will help streamline federal, state, and local government resources for easier assistance and outreach. Border colonias communities and farmworkers deserve better, and as a son of two migrant farmworkers, I am committed to making that happen.
For more information on the Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023, click here.
