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Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-8954| House 
| Updated: 12/14/2020
Joaquin Castro

Joaquin Castro

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (7)
Mark Pocan (Democratic)Karen Bass (Democratic)Andy Levin (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2020 This bill modifies the H-2B (temporary nonagricultural workers) visa program and expands protections for aliens who report workplace violations. Changes to the H-2B program include requiring the Department of Labor to establish a centralized national electronic platform for U.S. workers to find and apply for positions that employers are seeking to fill with H-2B workers; requiring employers to recruit U.S. workers nationwide, including by posting the openings on the platform, before applying for H-2B visas; requiring employers to guarantee at least 40 hours of paid work per week for each H-2B worker (currently employers may guarantee less paid hours in certain instances); requiring employers to pay for housing for H-2B workers and transportation to and from the work site (currently employers are allowed to deduct fees for lodgings from an H-2B worker's pay); modifying the requirements for determining the minimum wage for H-2B workers; and prioritizing H-2B visas for certain employers, such as those that pay higher wages. Furthermore, an alien who has worked a certain amount of time as an H-2B worker may obtain permanent resident status, subject to various requirements. In addition, an alien who is likely helpful in an investigation of a workplace claim (i.e., an alleged violation of law or workplace-related injury) may qualify for a U visa for victims of criminal activity. The bill also removes statutory numerical limitations on U visas. The bill also provides protections for certain aliens who file or assist in the investigation of workplace claims.
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Timeline
Dec 14, 2020
Introduced in House
Dec 14, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • December 14, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • December 14, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 116-2929: POWER Act
  • HR 116-5225: POWER Act
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdvisory bodiesBusiness recordsCivil actions and liabilityCrime victimsCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of LaborEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployment discrimination and employee rightsForeign laborGovernment information and archivesImmigration status and proceduresJudicial review and appealsLabor-management relationsLabor standardsLicensing and registrationsTemporary and part-time employmentTransportation costsUser charges and feesVisas and passportsWages and earningsWorker safety and health

Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-8954| House 
| Updated: 12/14/2020
Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2020 This bill modifies the H-2B (temporary nonagricultural workers) visa program and expands protections for aliens who report workplace violations. Changes to the H-2B program include requiring the Department of Labor to establish a centralized national electronic platform for U.S. workers to find and apply for positions that employers are seeking to fill with H-2B workers; requiring employers to recruit U.S. workers nationwide, including by posting the openings on the platform, before applying for H-2B visas; requiring employers to guarantee at least 40 hours of paid work per week for each H-2B worker (currently employers may guarantee less paid hours in certain instances); requiring employers to pay for housing for H-2B workers and transportation to and from the work site (currently employers are allowed to deduct fees for lodgings from an H-2B worker's pay); modifying the requirements for determining the minimum wage for H-2B workers; and prioritizing H-2B visas for certain employers, such as those that pay higher wages. Furthermore, an alien who has worked a certain amount of time as an H-2B worker may obtain permanent resident status, subject to various requirements. In addition, an alien who is likely helpful in an investigation of a workplace claim (i.e., an alleged violation of law or workplace-related injury) may qualify for a U visa for victims of criminal activity. The bill also removes statutory numerical limitations on U visas. The bill also provides protections for certain aliens who file or assist in the investigation of workplace claims.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 14, 2020
Introduced in House
Dec 14, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • December 14, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • December 14, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Joaquin Castro

Joaquin Castro

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (7)
Mark Pocan (Democratic)Karen Bass (Democratic)Andy Levin (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 116-2929: POWER Act
  • HR 116-5225: POWER Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdvisory bodiesBusiness recordsCivil actions and liabilityCrime victimsCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of LaborEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployment discrimination and employee rightsForeign laborGovernment information and archivesImmigration status and proceduresJudicial review and appealsLabor-management relationsLabor standardsLicensing and registrationsTemporary and part-time employmentTransportation costsUser charges and feesVisas and passportsWages and earningsWorker safety and health