Houston Daily

Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) introduced the Bracero Program 2.0 Act, aiming to stabilize the agricultural workforce and reduce illegal border crossings by reforming the H-2A visa program.

"For decades, the Bracero Program created new opportunities for millions and provided critical support for Texas agriculture. I am leading efforts to revive the Bracero spirit by reforming H-2A visas. This will provide solutions desperately needed for hard-working immigrants. With workforce shortages challenging our communities, the Bracero Program 2.0 will bring stability and certainty for South Texas," said Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz.

The proposed legislation intends to streamline the H-2A application process into a single electronic portal, thereby reducing administrative burdens for employers. It also seeks to expand the program to include greenhouses and indoor farms while ensuring fair compensation by setting wages at a state's minimum wage plus $2 per hour.

Other provisions include extending H-2A contracts from 10 months or less to 12 months and providing workers with regional labor permits valid within specified states. This would allow permit holders to change employers in the same sector without reapplying for a visa.

The act also emphasizes accountability by requiring reports on program integrity and worker protections from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). These reports will cover issues such as workplace violations, unsafe conditions, and underpayment of wages.

Last Congress, De La Cruz was part of the House Committee on Agriculture's Bipartisan Ag Labor Working Group. The new act incorporates policy recommendations from this group as well as input from farmers who participated in an ag labor roundtable hosted by De La Cruz in South Texas earlier this year.