Us Congress House Bill HB4748

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/23/25
• Refer: 7/23/25

Caption

Agriculture Workforce Reform Act of 2025

Impact

The proposed legislation would temporarily suspend various grounds of inadmissibility and removability under the Immigration and Nationality Act for 'covered aliens'—defined as those who have worked in agriculture for a minimum of two years during a specified timeframe. Employers petitioning for such workers' admission would be required to pay a fee, contributing to a controlled and legal pathway for agricultural labor while maintaining the oversight of labor conditions. This could reshape state laws regarding labor rights and employment practices in agriculture, making it easier for farmers to hire and retain necessary workers.

Summary

House Bill 4748, titled the Agriculture Workforce Reform Act of 2025, focuses on providing eligibility for specific aliens performing agricultural labor or services to apply for agricultural worker nonimmigrant status. The bill aims to address labor shortages in the agricultural sector by allowing certain undocumented individuals who have worked in agriculture to legally apply for status, thus facilitating their contribution to the industry. This proposal is a critical response to the ongoing issues of labor shortages in agriculture that have been exacerbated by immigration policies affecting the sector.

Contention

Notably, the bill has raised significant points of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups regarding the implications for undocumented workers already in the country. Supporters argue it provides a fair solution for labor needs while allowing certain undocumented workers a legal path forward. Critics, however, express concern that it may encourage unlawful entry into the U.S., undermine labor standards, or create inequities between different groups of agricultural workers, while discussions on the fee structure also spark debates about accessibility for employers and fairness in the labor market.