Dozens Of Republicans Back Bill To Legalize Non-Citizen Farm Workers

Some provisions of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, however, are expected to face scrutiny from immigration hawks in Congress as well as labor unions.

In a Dear Colleague letter obtained by POLITICO, Thompson said his proposal is driven by the need to reform what he described as a “broken” program, despite the broader political debate surrounding the southern border.

“With the border now secure, it is time to address these shortcomings and provide fair and legal pathways for all of agriculture to obtain workers when they are unable to find U.S. citizens willing to perform these noble but arduous tasks,” Thompson wrote.

Thompson’s proposal would allow certain undocumented immigrants already working in U.S. agriculture to apply for H-2A status.

The legislation would also waive certain immigration violations for eligible migrants seeking to enter the visa program, a provision that is likely to face opposition from more conservative members of Thompson’s party.

According to a House Agriculture Committee document explaining the bill obtained by POLITICO, the provision was included “due to significant concerns from stakeholders” about ensuring existing agricultural workers have a pathway to transition into the H-2A program.