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Zombie Amnesty Plan Shambles On In Lame Duck Congress Amid Trump Floating Deal With Democrats
A bipartisan-backed proposal to give some undocumented agricultural workers a route to legal status is drawing renewed attention as Republicans face pressure to act before their House control may end. The bill’s supporters present it as a response to farm labour shortages, while critics say legalising workers on the basis of past employment amounts to amnesty.
The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, sponsored by Republican Glenn Thompson, remains before the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Jim Jordan. It would cover people who completed at least six months of qualifying agricultural work in the previous two years, waive some grounds of inadmissibility and allow eligible workers to obtain H-2A status. Thompson said in October that he hoped Congress would consider the bill during its post-election lame-duck session; an industry association has also urged the committee to advance it.
In short
- A farmworker immigration bill is pending in the House.
- It could offer eligible workers a route to H-2A status.
- Critics call the proposal amnesty; supporters cite labour shortages.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that farms need a reliable workforce and that workers with recent agricultural experience should have a lawful way to keep filling essential jobs. A route to H-2A status could give employers greater certainty, bring workers into a regulated system and recognise sustained contributions to the sector.
The case against
Critics argue that granting legal status based on past work rewards people who lacked authorisation to work and may weaken confidence in immigration rules. They may also contend that easing access to labour risks reducing pressure on employers to improve wages and conditions or recruit workers already legally available.
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