Friend,
In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic began one thing has become crystal clear: we could not have survived the last year without immigrants.
Immigrant farm workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic every single day harvesting and picking out the food that ends up in grocery stores and on our tables. They have risked getting sick or even losing their lives to provide for everyone in this country.
However, while farm workers have been designated by our own government as “essential” during the pandemic, the majority of them live at risk of deportation by the same government who has designated them “essential.” At any moment they could be separated from their families and the lives they’ve built in the U.S..
The bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which was introduced by Democrat Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) and Republican Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04) in 2019, was recently re-introduced to Congress. It provides a pathway to citizenship for these farm workers, which would allow them to finally work and live in this country without fear.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act (HR 1603):
- Creates more predictable wages and reduces housing costs for growers
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Streamlines the H-2A application process by consolidating processes and petitions
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Creates a 5-year renewable visa for farmworkers and their families
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Creates a pathway to optional permanent resident status
Prefer to email them instead? Our friends at United Farm Workers have you covered.
Click here to send a pre-drafted message to your representative directly to their inbox>>
It really is that easy. It only takes a few minutes to help the farm workers that do so much for our country.
Undocumented farm workers do incredibly difficult jobs, pay taxes, and raise families in the United States. It is time to recognize them.
Thank you for your support,
Juana
