Bill Overview
Title: Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2022
Description: This bill contains provisions related to alien farmworkers. For example, the bill (1) establishes a certified agricultural worker status; (2) changes the H-2A temporary worker program, including by establishing an electronic platform for handling H-2A petitions; (3) establishes an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization; and (4) requires agricultural employers to use the electronic verification system.
Sponsors: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Target Audience
Population: Alien farmworkers and their families
Estimated Size: 2500000
- The bill focuses primarily on alien farmworkers, granting them a certified status which may indirectly impact their families and communities.
- Changes to the H-2A temporary worker program will affect foreign workers participating in this program, especially those currently working or aspiring to work in the U.S. agriculture sector.
- An electronic platform for managing H-2A petitions could streamline processes, impacting immigration attorneys and service providers assisting these workers.
- The establishment of an electronic system for verification will impact all agricultural employers in terms of compliance and operational adjustments.
- These changes might affect domestic agricultural workers indirectly through alterations in labor dynamics.
Reasoning
- Alien farmworkers will be directly impacted as the policy grants them an official status, potentially increasing their job security and access to worker rights.
- The cost and budget constraints suggest that the program will focus on efficient implementation that maximizes impact given limited resources.
- Domestic agricultural workers might be indirectly impacted by changes in labor competition with certified alien workers possibly filling gaps in labor shortages more predictably.
- Farm owners and businesses must adapt to new compliance requirements which may pose initial challenges but could lead to long-term operational efficiencies.
- Communities with high numbers of alien farmworkers may experience social and economic changes as these workers gain more stability.
Simulated Interviews
Alien Farmworker (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will help me feel more secure in my job.
- Having a certified status will make renewing my visa easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Agricultural Legal Advisor (Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The electronic platform will streamline my workload.
- I might have to update my knowledge of the new verification system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Farm Owner (Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Compliance will be tricky initially, but necessary.
- I hope this will prevent labor shortages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Domestic Farmworker (Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about job competition.
- If it helps fill labor gaps, it could stabilize work hours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Agricultural Business Owner (Iowa)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Labor shortages have been an issue.
- This policy could help stabilize workforce availability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Immigration Attorney (New York)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The electronic system could reduce errors.
- Adapting to changes will require training.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired Farmer (Oregon)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen policies come and go; this one seems promising.
- The key will be its execution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Agricultural Intern (Washington)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy could lead to more stable job prospects in agriculture.
- It might encourage new technological adoption in farms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Seasonal Farmworker (Georgia)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hoping for more stable work opportunities.
- Worried about initial transition hurdles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Farm Labor Organizer (Kansas)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might help protect farmworkers better.
- Implementation should be watched closely to ensure compliance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $55000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $65000000)
Year 3: $55000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $65000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Initial setup costs are significant but may decrease over time as systems become operational and standardized.
- The electronic systems aim to modernize agricultural labor management, potentially increasing efficiency in the long run.
- Monitoring and ensuring compliance could pose challenges, requiring ongoing oversight.