Congressman Derrick Van Orden Introduces Bill to Provide Legal Process for Undocumented Agricultural Workers

Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district has introduced a bill aimed at providing a legal pathway for undocumented agricultural workers to transition to legal employment status. The Agriculture Reform Act of 2025 would allow certain agricultural workers to voluntarily deport, pay a fine, and reenter the U.S. as a temporary agricultural worker after satisfying specific requirements. This bill is not a pathway to citizenship or amnesty, but rather a structured and enforceable opportunity for workers to secure legal employment.

Key Takeaways:

• The bill, known as the Agriculture Reform Act of 2025, creates a legal process for undocumented agricultural workers to transition to legal employment status.
• Covered aliens, who are individuals who have worked in agricultural labor in the U.S. since January 1, 2020, must voluntarily depart from the United States or have already been removed prior to the bill's enactment.
• To participate in the program, workers must pay a fee of an amount determined by the Secretary of Labor, while their employer must also pay a fee as set by regulation.
• Employers are allowed flexibility in staggering the departure of undocumented workers to prevent labor shortages.
• Workers must remain outside the U.S. for at least 30 days after self-deportation or removal before returning to the country legally as a temporary agricultural worker.
• Additional provisions include immunity from prosecution for employers and covered aliens, as well as waiver of inadmissibility/removability grounds under certain sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Statistics:

• The Agricultural Reform Act of 2025 aims to address the critical workforce needs of the agricultural industry.
• The bill creates a pathway for up to [insert number] undocumented agricultural workers to transition to legal employment status.
• The bill provides for a 30-day waiting period for workers to re-enter the U.S. prior to re-entry as a temporary agricultural worker.
• The fees paid by workers and employers will be used to support the administration of the program.

Sources:

• "Rep. Van Orden Introduces the Agriculture Reform Act of 2025." United States House of Representatives. Press Release. 2025.
• "Agriculture Reform Act of 2025." Congressman Derrick Van Orden. Press Release. 2025.