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House Considers & Passes Immigration Legislation

On Thursday, March 18th, the U.S. House of Representatives took up and approved two immigration bills, including the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, an H-2A farm labor reform bill. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 1603), which was approved 247-174 with 30 Republican, proposed to provide a pathway to citizenship to certain undocumented workers, an E-Verify system to help employers making hires. The House passed a previous version of this legislation in 2017, but the bill saw no activity in the Senate.

A second immigration measure, the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6), which provides a pathway to citizenship and other benefits to children of illegal immigrants and migrants admitted for humanitarian reasons was approved 228-197. Both measures now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation voted against both measures.

More below:

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/mar/19/house-approves-immigration-bills/

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/15550-house-passes-ag-labor-bill-in-democratic-bid-to-win-immigration-reforms

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/world-policy/article/2021/03/19/farm-workforce-modernization-act-h

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/18/statement-by-president-biden-on-the-farm-workforce-modernization-act-of-2021/