H.R. 3227: Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

119th Congress · introduced 2025-05-07 · Immigration · Latest: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

federal

What does this mean?

Official title

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

Plain summary

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025 This bill establishes a new certified agricultural worker (CAW) visa status for foreign farmworkers, heightens requirements under the current H-2A temporary worker program, and provides for mandatory employment eligibility verification for the agricultural workforce. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant CAW status to an applying non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who meets certain requirements, such as hours worked in agricultural labor during a specified time period and having a continuous presence in the United States. The bill establishes a path to lawful permanent resident status for those with CAW status. CAW status shall be valid for 5.5 years and may be extended. The applicant's spouse or children may receive CAW dependent status. A CAW applicant may not be detained or removed by DHS and shall be authorized for employment until DHS makes a final decision on the application. The bill also modifies the H-2A visa program, which allows employers to hire foreign workers for temporary or seasonal agricultural work. The changes include (1) requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, and (2) making the program available for agricultural work that is not temporary or seasonal. DHS must also establish an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization. Employers hiring individuals for agricultural employment must use the system. The bill extends through FY2030 and codifies the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization program for rural and farmworker housing.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] · 11 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Michael K. Simpson (R-ID), Jim Costa (D-CA), David G. Valadao (R-CA), Adam Gray (D-CA), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Josh Harder (D-CA), Eugene Simon Vindman (D-VA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] reported raising $2.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-119hr3227.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119/hr>

Record fed-us-cong119-hr3227 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills