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HR 281 115th Congress House

Family Farm Relief Act of 2017

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to simplify the petitioning procedure for H-2A workers, to expand the scope of the H-2A program, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 26, 2017 Introduced by: Stefanik, Elise M. Republican · New York See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCongressional oversight
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Department of AgricultureDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of LaborDepartment of StateEmployee hiringExecutive agency funding and structureForeign laborGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLivestockMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborTemporary and part-time employmentVisas and passports
This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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
May 2, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Jan 31, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Jan 4, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 4, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 2, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Family Farm Relief Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a process for receiving H-2A nonimmigrant visas (temporary agricultural workers) which shall ensure that that petitioners may file such petitions over the Internet or in paper form. (Administration of the H-2A program is transferred from the Department of Labor to USDA.)

The bill: (1) includes year-round livestock workers, including dairy workers, in the H-2A category with a maximum three-year period of admissions, which may be renewed three months after the end of each such period; and (2) revises H-2A certification provisions.

 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. 281: Family Farm Relief Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-281/
MLA
"H.R. 281: Family Farm Relief Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-281/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 281, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-281/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 281: Family Farm Relief Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-281/)
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