Judiciary Committee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Better Agriculture Resources Now Act or the BARN Act This bill revises the H-2A visa program for temporary nonimmigrant agricultural workers. It moves administration of the program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, and eliminates the requirement that employers hire any qualified U.S. applicants until 50% of the time period of the H-2A worker's contract has elapsed. The bill also revises requirements for employer-provided housing or housing allowances for H-2A workers, including standards for such accommodations. The employer shall request an inspection of the housing to certify that it meets the required standards. Aliens admittted as H2-A workers who overstay their visas are barred from the program for five years. Aliens admitted on the basis of fraud or who commit certain crimes are barred permanently. Employers who knowingly hire H-2A workers who overstay their visas or employers who engage in fraud or misrepresentation shall be barred from the program.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Immigration
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of LaborForeign laborFraud offenses and financial crimesHousing finance and home ownershipImmigration status and proceduresLawyers and legal servicesLivestockMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborTemporary and part-time employmentVisas and passportsWages and earnings
BARN Act
USA116th CongressHR-60| House
| Updated: 1/3/2019
Better Agriculture Resources Now Act or the BARN Act This bill revises the H-2A visa program for temporary nonimmigrant agricultural workers. It moves administration of the program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, and eliminates the requirement that employers hire any qualified U.S. applicants until 50% of the time period of the H-2A worker's contract has elapsed. The bill also revises requirements for employer-provided housing or housing allowances for H-2A workers, including standards for such accommodations. The employer shall request an inspection of the housing to certify that it meets the required standards. Aliens admittted as H2-A workers who overstay their visas are barred from the program for five years. Aliens admitted on the basis of fraud or who commit certain crimes are barred permanently. Employers who knowingly hire H-2A workers who overstay their visas or employers who engage in fraud or misrepresentation shall be barred from the program.
Judiciary Committee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
Immigration
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of LaborForeign laborFraud offenses and financial crimesHousing finance and home ownershipImmigration status and proceduresLawyers and legal servicesLivestockMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborTemporary and part-time employmentVisas and passportsWages and earnings