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HR 60 116th Congress House

BARN Act

Official title: To reform the H-2A program for nonimmigrant agricultural workers, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 3, 2019 Introduced by: Allen, Rick W. Republican · Georgia See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of Homeland Security
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Department of LaborForeign laborFraud offenses and financial crimesHousing finance and home ownershipImmigration status and proceduresLawyers and legal servicesLivestockMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborTemporary and part-time employmentVisas and passportsWages and earnings
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 3, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Jan 3, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 3, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 3, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Better Agriculture Resources Now Act or the BARN Act

This bill revises the H-2A visa program for temporary nonimmigrant agricultural workers. It moves administration of the program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, and eliminates the requirement that employers hire any qualified U.S. applicants until 50% of the time period of the H-2A worker's contract has elapsed.

The bill also revises requirements for employer-provided housing or housing allowances for H-2A workers, including standards for such accommodations. The employer shall request an inspection of the housing to certify that it meets the required standards.

Aliens admittted as H2-A workers who overstay their visas are barred from the program for five years. Aliens admitted on the basis of fraud or who commit certain crimes are barred permanently. Employers who knowingly hire H-2A workers who overstay their visas or employers who engage in fraud or misrepresentation shall be barred from the program.


 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 60: BARN Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-60/
MLA
"H.R. 60: BARN Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-60/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 60, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-60/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 60: BARN Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-60/)
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