House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte has introduced his Ag Act which creates an H-2C program that provides a pathway to citizenship for immigrant non seasonal ag workers. The National Pork Producer’s Council is supporting the measure. Nebraska Pork Producers Association President Russ Vering says the bill addresses the ag labor shortage being faced by his industry.

He says these non seasonal immigrant ag workers deserve the opportunity to become citizens and stay in the U.S. and this legislation helps with that.

Vering says a good component in the Ag Act allows undocumented workers who can demonstrate work experience over the previous two year period to get an H2-C visa.

Goodlatte’s measure will help the U.S. pork industry retain a viable agriculture workforce and remain globally competitive.