One of the most talked-about parts of the proposed immigration bill has been the "blue card" program, which would make it easier for experienced farm and agriculture workers who are in the country illegally to move one step closer to obtaining a green card and legal residency in the U.S. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the legislation by a 13 to 5 vote, sending it to the full Senate.
To be eligible for the "blue card" program, applicants have to pay all taxes, pay a $400 fee, and have no convictions for felonies or violent misdemeanors, reports Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter: "Work requirements include performing at least five years of agricultural employment for at least 100 work days per year, or performing at least three years of agricultural employment for at least 150 work days per year."
Workers would have two options, "a portable, at-will employment-based visa and a contract-based visa program," reports Agri-Pulse. "The H-2A program would sunset one year after the new visa program is enacted." The new program, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, would provide three-year visas. Workers unemployed for more than 60 consecutive days would lose their status and be deported. Employers would also have to register with the USDA.
Wages and raises have also been set per position. Employers would also be required to provide housing or housing allowances, and would have to use the the federal work verification program, E-Verify, over a five-year period, reports Agri-Pulse. Through the first five years of the program, there would be a cap of 112,333 visas.
Agri-Pulse is subscription-only, but offers a free trial here. For more on the "blue card" program go here.
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| A "National Rally for Citizenship" was held April 10 at the U.S. Capitol in support of immigration reform. (UPI/Molly Riley) |
Workers would have two options, "a portable, at-will employment-based visa and a contract-based visa program," reports Agri-Pulse. "The H-2A program would sunset one year after the new visa program is enacted." The new program, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, would provide three-year visas. Workers unemployed for more than 60 consecutive days would lose their status and be deported. Employers would also have to register with the USDA.
Wages and raises have also been set per position. Employers would also be required to provide housing or housing allowances, and would have to use the the federal work verification program, E-Verify, over a five-year period, reports Agri-Pulse. Through the first five years of the program, there would be a cap of 112,333 visas.
Agri-Pulse is subscription-only, but offers a free trial here. For more on the "blue card" program go here.
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