On the recordDecember 11, 2019
I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership. And having been the ranking member of the Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee over the years, I understand the momentous task and the excellent work that has been done. This bill does what Republicans have always asked: For immigrants to work, for people to seek status; it provides status to hardworking agricultural workers. It provides them a certified agricultural worker status. They undergo background checks and pass strict criminal and national security bars. They have the opportunity to access the line to citizenship. They don't get in front of others. They are protected from reckless deportation. The industry is protected, the farm industry, the production of food is protected. I am delighted that my amendment regarding temporary protected status that impacts Hondurans, Haitians, and others--and also, as I attempt to work on TPS for our Guatemalan friends, this bill ensures the fair way to deal with farmworkers. It stops the outrage of deportation. It stops the outrage of threat, and it does what Cesar Chavez says, that we cannot have achievement and forget our progress and prosperity for our community. It honors their work. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5038. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5038, the Agricultural Worker Program Act.…
