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HR 2847 112th Congress House

American Specialty Agriculture Act

Official title: To create a nonimmigrant H-2C work visa program for agricultural workers, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 15, 2011 See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative remediesCivil actions and liabilityDepartment of AgricultureEmployment discrimination and employee rights
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Foreign laborImmigration status and proceduresLabor-management relationsLawyers and legal servicesMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborTransportation costsUser charges and feesVisas and passportsWages and earnings
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 8, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.
Sep 8, 2011
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sep 7, 2011
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 7, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 8, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

American Specialty Agriculture Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H-2C nonimmigrant visa for an alien having a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning and who is coming temporarily (10-month maximum per contract period) to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services, including the pressing of apples for cider on a farm.

Requires an employer or employer association to file an H-2C petition with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) which shall include specified employment-related attestations.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) penalties; (2) working conditions, wages, and transportation reimbursement; (3) admissions and extensions of stay; (4) abandonment of employment and worker replacement; (5) legal assistance; and (6) arbitration and mediation.

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct investigations and random audits of employer work sites.

Requires an employer to guarantee to offer the worker employment for the hourly equivalent of at least 50% of the work hours during the total anticipated period of employment.

Limits the number of annual fiscal year H-2C admissions. Prohibits the admission of spouses and children of H-2C workers.

Extends coverage under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act to H-2C workers.

Makes the provisions of this Act effective two years after its enactment. Terminates authority to petition for H-2A temporary agricultural workers two years after enactment of this Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2847: American Specialty Agriculture Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2847/
MLA
"H.R. 2847: American Specialty Agriculture Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2847/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2847, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2847/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2847: American Specialty Agriculture Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2847/)
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