Newhouse-sponsored farm immigration bill passes U.S. House

On Dec. 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan-backed Farm Workforce Modernization Act on a 260-165 vote. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), seeks to address immigration issues facing the farming community.

The bill was introduced with the support of 26 Democrats and 23 Republicans and has been negotiated throughout much of the past year between legislators, agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations. The bill would establish a program for agricultural workers in the country, as well as their spouses and minor children, to earn legal status through...