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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3227

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

Rep. Lofgren Pushes Bipartisan Plan to Grant Legal Status to Farmworkers and Require E-Verify in Agriculture

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025 has been introduced and is currently being reviewed by several House committees. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is not yet scheduled for a vote. The bill is considered active as it awaits further action from the assigned committees.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • Creates a new "Certified Agricultural Worker" status for undocumented farmworkers who have worked at least 1,035 hours (or 180 days) in U.S. agriculture over the prior two years. This temporary legal status lasts 5½ years, is renewable, and covers spouses and children. Workers gain work authorization, travel rights, and protection from removal while their application is pending.

    From policy text

    “performed agricultural labor or services in the United States for at least 1,035 hours (or 180 work days) during the 2-year period preceding the date of the introduction of this Act”
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  • Long-term farmworkers can earn a path to permanent residency (green card) after working 4 to 8 additional years in certified status, paying a $1,000 penalty fee, and satisfying any federal tax liability. Their spouses and children can also receive green cards. These green cards are exempt from normal annual numerical caps.

    From policy text

    “The Secretary may adjust the status of an alien from that of a certified agricultural worker to that of a lawful permanent resident if the alien submits a completed application, including the required processing and penalty fees”
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  • Overhauls the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program by creating a streamlined electronic filing platform, allowing year-round industries like dairy to use H-2A visas (capped initially at 20,000/year), freezing the adverse effect wage rate for 2026, and capping annual wage increases at 3.25% through 2035.
  • Requires all agricultural employers to use a new electronic employment verification system (replacing E-Verify) to confirm workers' legal status, phased in over 6 to 15 months by employer size, starting with the largest farms. The system includes identity theft protections and an appeal process for workers who receive incorrect nonconfirmations.
  • Authorizes $200 million per year (2026–2030) for preserving and revitalizing rural farmworker housing, plus new loan authority for farmworker housing construction. Also requires employers to maintain a heat illness prevention plan and dairy employers to maintain a workplace safety plan.

    From policy text

    “There is authorized to be appropriated for the program under this section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.”
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ImmigrationLabor EmploymentAgricultureHousing

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
May 7, 2025House

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.

May 7, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Approximately 12–18 months after enactment

Application period opens for certified agricultural worker status

Eligible undocumented farmworkers can begin applying for legal status within 18 months of the interim final rule being published. Applications filed at USDA Farm Service Agency offices or through nonprofits provide immediate work authorization while pending.

6 months after the application period closes (roughly 3–4 years after enactment)

Mandatory e-verification begins for large agricultural employers

Farms with 500+ employees must start using the new electronic system to verify every new hire's identity and work authorization. Smaller employers follow on a staggered schedule over the next 9 months.

Approximately 5–6 years after enactment

First workers become eligible to apply for permanent residency

The earliest long-term farmworkers — those with 10+ years of prior agricultural work — can apply for a green card after completing 4 years in certified status, paying a $1,000 fee and satisfying tax obligations.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 3227
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred 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.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(11)
D: 7R: 4

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.