# Summary of S. 4069: Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2024
This comprehensive bill creates new immigration pathways for agricultural workers and reforms the nation's agricultural labor system. The legislation establishes a "certified agricultural worker" status for undocumented immigrants who have worked at least 1,035 hours in U.S. agriculture over the preceding two years and are continuously present in the country, allowing them to remain and work legally for 5.5 years with the option to renew. Workers can eventually apply for permanent residency if they complete 10 years of agricultural work, with at least 4 years in certified status, after paying applicable fees.
The bill significantly reforms the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program by streamlining it through a single electronic platform, requiring employers to recruit U.S. workers first, protecting worker wages and housing standards, and establishing accountability measures for foreign labor recruiters. It also includes substantial new funding for farm worker housing preservation and construction, authorizing $100 million annually through 2028 and providing loan guarantees and rental assistance programs.
The legislation creates a mandatory electronic employment eligibility verification system for the agricultural industry, phased in over several years based on employer size, replacing the current E-Verify program. The bill affects agricultural employers, migrant workers, labor contractors, and foreign recruiting agencies. Key funding includes $75 million annually for farm worker housing loans, $30 million for housing grants, and $26.8 million for rental assistance through 2033, plus additional appropriations as needed for program administration and enforcement.