AgJOBS in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

Immigration Labor - AgJOBS History

On January 10, 2007, the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007, was introduced as S. 340 in the Senate (AgJOBS was initially introduced as S. 237, but was later reintroduced as S. 340) and H.R. 371 in the House of Representatives.

AgJOBS and variations on AgJOBS experienced several victories in the 110th Congress.

In May 2007, the White House and several key Senators reached agreement on a comprehensive immigration package that included a revised version of AgJOBS.

The United Farm Workers and major agribusiness groups accepted these changes after negotiations with Senators and the White House, led by Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff and Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez. Unfortunately, the compromise legislation failed in July 2007 as a result of a filibuster.

Because 2008 was a presidential election year, there were few other legislative options. Senator Feinstein and Rep. Berman remain committed to passing AgJOBS.

AgJOBS Sponsors in the 110th Congress

AgJOBS in the 110th Congress had 30 cosponsors in the Senate  and 50 cosponsors in the House 

 

Legislative Language of the AgJOBS Bill

Read the text of the Senate bill, S. 340, and the House bill, H.R. 371

 

Summaries and Descriptions of the bill

The version of AgJOBS introduced this Congress is substantially the same as the version passed last year by the Senate (see AgJOBS in the 109th), with some minor adjustments to the work requirements and a clarification of the status of spouses and minor children of farmworkers during the "blue card" status period.

For a two page description of the AgJOBS legislation, read the Farmworker Justice Bulletin entitled Summary of AgJOBS: The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007 en Español

A more detailed, six-page summary of AgJOBS can be found here

Farmworker Justice also has prepared summary of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about the earned legalization program in AgJOBS. Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre la Propuesta de Ley AgJOBS en español.

 

Modified version of AgJOBS in Senate Comprehensive Immigration Bill (S. 1348 and S. 1639)

In May 2007, the White House and several key Senators reached agreement on a comprehensive immigration package that included a revised version of AgJOBS. The United Farm Workers and major agribusiness groups accepted these changes after negotiations with Senators and the White House, led by Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff and Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez. The compromise legislation failed in July 2007 as a result of a filibuster. For a description of the version of AgJOBS in the comprehensive immigration bill, read the summaries below.

For a description of AgJOBS that includes an analysis of the version reached during Senate -White House Agreement on Immigration Reform in June 2007, please click here. En español.

Read a more detailed, six-page summary of the modified version of AgJOBS in the Senate comprehensive immigration legislation.

 

Joint Labor-Management Sign-on Letter in Support of AgJOBS

This letter contains over 850 sign-ons! Thanks to all of you who showed your support for farmworkers by joining the sign-on letter. The number and diversity of sign-ons sends a powerful message of the widespread support for AgJOBS to Congress. A copy was sent to every member of Congress.

Congressional Debates of AgJOBS in the 109th Congress< Prev