Editor’s note: Advocating for the floral industry’s needs on Capitol Hill is a key priority for the Society of American Florists. What issues are most likely to impact you and your business – and how? What is SAF doing about it? In this ongoing series, SAF senior lobbyist Joe Bischoff breaks down one issue at a time and outlines SAF’s advocacy work on it. This week, Bischoff talks about the Biden Administration’s immigration proposal and what it would—and would not do—to address agriculture’s labor challenges.

 Why is SAF focused on immigration reform?

SAF is working to ensure federal lawmakers understand that flower growing operations need access to a stable and secure workforce — both now and the future. For example, in December 2019, SAF supported House passage of HR 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019. That bill provided legal status for the current workforce and made meaningful reforms to the federal agriculture guestworker program known as H-2A. The H-2A reforms, in particular, charted a clear path forward to a long-term solution to the ag labor shortage.

The nation’s broken immigration system is increasingly impacting the agriculture sector; Congress needs to address the agriculture labor shortage immediately.

What proposals are being considered?

On his first day in office, President Biden unveiled a plan to overhaul the American immigration system. The accompanying legislation, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, was introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in February. The bill would allow current H-2A farmworkers to apply for green cards immediately and provides them a pathway to citizenship, addressing the existing, experienced workforce. However, the bill falls short by not including any solution for a reliable flow of future agricultural guest workers like the reforms included in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019. Simply put, the Biden reform bill doesn’t do anything to increase temporary workers — something agriculture desperately needs.

What specifically are we asking for?

Congress must address the shortcomings in H-2A, which currently requires employers to go through an expensive, complicated hiring processes to secure needed labor. In addition, employers must ensure compliance with strict housing and transportation standards. Any legislation to reform H-2A must also address the steep fluctuations in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and preserve access to the existing, experienced pool of floriculture labor.

How likely is it that the Biden immigration bill will see any movement?

The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 is unlikely to pass Congress in its current form. The agriculture sector is making a strong push, as it has for several years, to include agriculture reform in any immigration overhaul legislation. To achieve the bipartisan support necessary for passage, the bill will need to be amended to include other issues such as more funding for border security and immigration enforcement, among other areas. Specific to floriculture, SAF will urge lawmakers to include provisions of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that reform the H-2A guestworker program and provide solutions for the existing workforce and future industry labor needs.

What can I do to get involved and make a difference? 

Get to know your member of Congress. While COVID has limited in-person interaction, many members are doing virtual town halls. Attend, ask a question and offer your support for issues like fixing our broken immigration system. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that during a virtual event, call the district office and share your perspective with a staffer. Offices track any time constituents share their perspective on issues, and that feedback plays a role in the member’s decision-making process.

Also, be sure to make plans to join us virtually for SAF’s Congressional Action Days, April 13-14, to share your perspective with Congressional offices and federal agencies that have influence on issues important to the floral industry, including minimum wage, funding for floriculture research, duty-free access to fresh product and a stable agricultural labor force.

 Katie Butler is the senior vice president of the Society of American Florists.