Bill · H.R. 4367· House(119-HR-4367)
Bracero Program 2.0 Act
- Introduced
- 7/14/2025
- Last activity
- 7/14/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Monica De La Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Bracero Program 2.0 Act seeks to reform the H-2A worker program through various procedural and structural changes. It establishes an online portal for employers to file petitions and post job listings more efficiently. The bill introduces a new wage rate standard and modifies the period of authorized admission for H-2A workers. Additionally, it creates a 6-year portable H-2A visa pilot program to allow certain workers to move between registered agricultural employers within a specific state. The legislation also expands H-2A eligibility to include greenhouse and indoor farm work. Finally, it mandates several reports from the GAO to monitor program integrity and worker protections.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill provides more flexible labor options and streamlined administrative processes for registered agricultural employers.
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill offers expanded labor eligibility for greenhouse work and creates a more efficient, digital recruitment system.
Would immigrants be better off under this?+4
The portable status pilot program and expedited review for returning workers provide increased flexibility and ease of entry for eligible H-2A workers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Streamlined Employer Processes: The establishment of an online portal allows petitions to be processed simultaneously by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Labor, and a State Workforce Agency (Section 2).
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Efficient Labor Planning: The new portal allows employers to reflect staggered labor and entry date needs in a single petition (Section 2).
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Simplified Entry for Returning Workers: Workers who have previously been admitted as H-2A workers and pass security and law enforcement background checks do not have to undergo an in-person interview (Section 3).
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Increased Employment Flexibility: The portable H-2A status pilot program allows workers to move between different registered agricultural employers within their initial state of employment (Section 4).
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Worker Protection through Insurance: For jobs not covered by State workers' compensation laws, registered employers must provide insurance covering injury and disease at no cost to the worker (Section 4).
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Expanded Job Eligibility: The bill expands H-2A status to include work in greenhouses or indoor farms (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Wage Impact: The bill establishes a wage rate that can be the State minimum wage plus $2.00 per hour (Section 3).
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Strict Timeline for Portable Workers: Under the pilot program, a worker who does not secure new employment with a registered employer within 60 days of leaving their current job must depart the United States or face removal (Section 4).
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Employment Caps: The pilot program limits the total number of individuals who can hold portable H-2A status to 10,000 at any one time (Section 4).
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Employer Costs: Agricultural employers seeking designation as registered employers may be required to pay reasonable fees (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Farmers+5Good For Immigrants+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Increases Job Creation+3Increases Minimum Wage+2
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas
Roger WilliamsRepublican · Texas