Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003

This bill, introduced in 2003, proposed a significant overhaul of the legal framework for foreign agricultural workers in the United States. It sought to create a pathway for undocumented farmworkers to earn legal temporary status and, eventually, permanent residency if they met specific requirements for agricultural work and residency.

For citizens and the agricultural industry, the bill aimed to stabilize the food supply chain by ensuring a legal and reliable workforce for farmers. It proposed streamlining the H-2A visa process while establishing new standards for worker protections, including guaranteed wages, housing requirements, and transportation reimbursements. Additionally, the legislation included provisions to correct Social Security records for participating workers and created a commission to oversee agricultural wage standards.