The Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2024 aims to secure the domestic agricultural workforce by granting temporary and, possibly, permanent status to certified agricultural workers, reform the H-2A temporary worker program to make it more efficient and accessible, enhance farm worker housing, ensure accountability for foreign labor recruiters, and mandate electronic employment eligibility verification for the agricultural sector.

The section outlines how certain undocumented agricultural workers in the U.S. can apply for certified agricultural worker status. It details eligibility requirements, application procedures, and grounds for ineligibility, including specific rules for waivers, application extensions, and the process for handling applications and appeals.

Upon approval, the Secretary issues documents granting certified agricultural worker status, allowing travel and work authorization for 5.5 years, while these workers and their dependents can change status and access certain public benefits. The Secretary can revoke this status if eligibility requirements are no longer met, and the documents would then become invalid except for leaving the U.S.

The Secretary can extend the certified agricultural worker status for another 5.5 years if the workers meet certain work requirements and apply on time, while the status of their family members can also be extended if they are eligible. If a worker has difficulty meeting the application deadline, the Secretary might forgive the delay for valid reasons, and any worker with a pending application will have their status automatically extended until a decision is made. Employers must accept documentation of the worker's pending application as proof of employment eligibility, and if an application is denied, the worker will receive a notice with reasons for the denial and get extra time to present more evidence.

In Section 104, it states that an applicant for certified agricultural worker status will not lose their continuous presence in the U.S. just because they were given a notice to appear under immigration rules. Additionally, if an applicant leaves the U.S. for over 90 days at once or over 180 days total, they may lose their continuous presence status unless special circumstances, like serious illness or authorized travel, apply.

An employer who hires a certified agricultural worker must give them a written record of their employment each year. If the employer fails to do so or provides false information knowingly, they can be fined up to $400 per violation, as long as the worker has provided proof of employment authorization. The fines collected will go into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account.

The section outlines the processes for reviewing cases related to certified agricultural worker status. It specifies that applicants can seek administrative review if their application is denied or revoked, and allows these records to be used in immigration court. It also limits judicial review to certain immigration decisions about removal.

The section outlines the process for long-term agricultural workers and their families to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents, provided they meet certain work requirements and pay a fee. It ensures protections for family members and allows applicants to work legally in the U.S. while their application is pending, with special provisions for withdrawing applications without penalty for future immigration benefits.

An alien cannot have their status adjusted unless they have paid any owed federal taxes. They can prove they've done this by providing specific documents, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury.

The section outlines that the Secretary must decide on an application for status adjustment within 180 days of filing, and if considering denial, must notify the applicant of the reasons and allow 90 days to respond. It also establishes processes for both administrative and judicial reviews if an application is denied.

This section provides definitions for several terms used in the context of immigration law, including "agricultural labor or services," "applicable Federal tax liability," "child," and others. It clarifies meanings for these terms to ensure consistent understanding and application in relevant legal situations.

The Secretary must publish a temporary rule in the Federal Register within 180 days of the Act’s enactment to implement this title, which can be revised after public feedback. Additionally, the Secretary can charge a fee to aliens applying for benefits under this title but must provide options for fee waivers or payment in installments, and employers are allowed to pay these fees on behalf of the aliens and their families.

The section requires aliens seeking certified agricultural worker status or lawful permanent resident status to submit their biometric and biographic data. It mandates that security and law enforcement background checks be conducted using this data to ensure the alien does not have any disqualifying factors before granting them the desired status.

For the purposes of applying for certified agricultural dependent status or permanent residency, this section states that a person's status as a child is determined by their age when they first apply. This rule will only be effective for up to 10 years from the time of their initial application.

Aliens who seem to qualify for a particular status under this title cannot be removed from the U.S. until it's officially decided they don't qualify. If someone is in removal proceedings but appears to qualify, those proceedings must be paused to give them a chance to apply. Even if they've been ordered to leave, they can still apply for status, and if approved, their removal order is canceled. Departing the U.S. won't count against those who leave with permission or have certain resident status.

Aliens applying for certified agricultural worker status must prove their work history through various records or affidavits, with special procedures for those who worked under assumed names. Exceptions allow for partial credit due to extraordinary circumstances like COVID-19, severe weather, or personal health issues, and certain activities related to caring for horses can also count towards these work requirements.

Employers who continue to employ an undocumented worker applying for certified agricultural worker status won't violate immigration laws during the application process, and records shared to support such an application can't be used against the employer in legal proceedings. However, these protections do not apply if the employer provides fraudulent employment documents.

The section outlines amendments to the Social Security Act, allowing certain immigrants who gain agricultural worker or dependent status under the Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2024 to have their social security statuses updated. It also mandates developing an automated system to assign social security numbers to these individuals, coordinated by the Social Security Commissioner and the Department of Homeland Security.

The section outlines that the Secretary cannot use information from applications for agricultural worker status for immigration enforcement, nor can they refer applicants to immigration authorities based solely on application details. However, exceptions allow sharing information with security agencies for certain purposes like fraud prevention and national security. Violating these rules could result in a fine, and measures must be in place to protect personal information.

Any person who knowingly makes false statements or uses fake documents when applying for agricultural worker status could be fined, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both. Additionally, if convicted, they would be inadmissible to the United States, and fines collected will go to a specific immigration fee account.

The section mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security, along with other relevant officials, must distribute information about the benefits and requirements for aliens under the title. This information must be shared widely and provided to agricultural employers to display at their worksites.

Aliens applying to become lawful permanent residents under this title are exempt from the numerical limits that usually restrict the number of individuals who can adjust to this status, according to the Immigration and Nationality Act. They will not be counted towards these limits.

The section requires the Secretary to submit a yearly report for ten years to Congress, detailing how many immigrants applied for and received various agricultural and residency statuses, as well as how many dependents were included in these applications. This report also includes information about those granted extensions, adjustments of status, and changes to H-2A or H-4 status.

The section outlines a grant program through which the Secretary can provide competitive grants to nonprofit organizations. These organizations will use the funds to help eligible individuals with information and application assistance for agricultural worker status, utilizing a designated fund and ensuring eligibility for legal assistance despite certain restrictions.

The section allows the Secretary to receive as much funding as necessary for the implementation of this title for the fiscal years 2024 to 2026, covering any costs that might come from starting this process.

The bill requires the creation of a streamlined electronic platform for employers to file for H-2A workers, aiming to simplify and enhance the process by minimizing repetitive paperwork and improving communication between agencies and employers. Additionally, it mandates the maintenance of a publicly accessible online job registry to help workers find available H-2A job opportunities with language support.

The document outlines the requirements for the H-2A visa program, which allows temporary agricultural workers from other countries to work in the United States. It covers various conditions employers must meet, such as ensuring there are not enough U.S. workers available, providing fair wages and working conditions, and safeguarding workers' rights and housing. It also discusses procedures for petitions, visa limitations, and the responsibilities of both employers and labor recruiters.

This section outlines the conditions under which temporary H-2A workers can be admitted to the United States for agricultural work. It specifies requirements for labor certification, petition filings by employers, wage and housing standards, transportation provisions, and adherence to federal and state laws, aiming to protect both U.S. and foreign workers involved in the program.

The text outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security in managing the H-2A visa program, focusing on aspects like job order processing, fraud prevention, and visa adjudication. It also details the creation of a special fund from collected fees and penalties to support the program's administration, including personnel costs and audits.

The text outlines protections and requirements for H-2A workers, ensuring they receive equal rights and remedies as U.S. workers and protecting against frivolous lawsuits and unfair demands. It also introduces free mediation services, mandates surety bonds for farm labor contractors, and addresses issues of successors in interest to prevent abuses in the certification process.

The section requires the Secretaries of Labor and Agriculture to submit a report every three years to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. The report should examine how hiring H–2A workers affects U.S. farm workers' wages, working conditions, and job opportunities, assessing factors like wage rates, regional impacts, and compensation practices, while also recommending future wage protections.

The Portable H–2A visa pilot program aims to allow certain temporary agricultural workers in the U.S. to move freely between registered agricultural employers. It sets out rules for establishing this program, such as creating an online job platform and requiring compliance checks to ensure fair practices, with a cap on the number of participants and an emphasis on maintaining workers' rights.

The section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the worldwide cap for permanent residency visas, specifically allocating more visas for farm workers and other unskilled laborers, with a preference for agricultural workers. It also introduces measures to connect potential workers from certain countries directly with U.S. employers and allows certain workers to apply with 'dual intent,' meaning they can seek temporary work while also seeking permanent residency.

This section establishes that the subtitle can be referred to as the "Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2024".

The section amends the Housing Act of 1949 to provide funding for farm worker housing from 2024 to 2033, allowing up to $20 million in loans and $75 million for loan costs each year. It also authorizes $30 million annually for grants and $26.8 million for rental assistance, with 5% of the funds set aside for administrative expenses.

The amendment to the Housing Act of 1949 specifies that if the Secretary sets a limit on financial assistance for any project under certain sections, this limit cannot be lower than $5,000,000 per project.

The amendment to Section 521(a)(5) of the Housing Act of 1949 broadens qualifications for operating assistance subsidies to include housing for domestic farm labor, in addition to migrant farm workers. It stipulates that subsidies may cover up to 50% of operating costs for housing for domestic farm workers who are legally admitted and authorized to work in the U.S., provided certain conditions are met, such as ensuring the housing was previously underutilized and no U.S. farm workers are displaced.

The amendment to the Housing Act of 1949 allows the Secretary to renew rental assistance agreements for up to 20 years for projects funded under specific sections, depending on available funding. If a rental assistance contract ends for a family, the project owner has six months to redirect that assistance to another eligible family in the same project before the remaining authority can be used for families in other qualifying projects.

The amendment to Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 allows the Secretary, along with the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, to provide rural housing vouchers to low-income households living in properties funded by certain federal loans or owned by nonprofit organizations. This includes households in properties with prepaid loans, those that have been foreclosed, matured after September 30, 2005, or are assisted and owned by specific entities.

The section establishes a program to preserve and revitalize multifamily rental housing projects, involving measures like loan restructuring, renewal of rental assistance contracts, and offering grants for technical assistance. It includes provisions for tenant notification, translation of notices, and a budget of $100 million annually from 2024 to 2028, capped by specific administrative expenses.

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is directed to implement a program to maintain and improve affordable rental housing initially funded by specific loan programs. The program involves notifying landlords and tenants of loan maturities, restructuring loans, renewing rental assistance contracts, and providing assistance to organizations helping with housing transfers, with a budget authorization of $100 million annually from 2024 to 2028.

The amount of monthly assistance payment for households receiving a rural housing voucher, as per section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949, will follow the rules outlined in subsection (a) of that section, regardless of other laws.

The section authorizes $50 million to be allocated to the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year 2024 to enhance the technology used for processing and managing loans for multifamily housing. These funds are available for use over a five-year period starting from when they first become available.

The Secretary of Agriculture is required to submit a plan to Congress within six months to keep rental housing affordable for low-income families and prevent tenant displacement. This plan will involve setting specific goals and measures, and consulting quarterly with various stakeholders, including representatives from government, developers, finance agencies, and non-profits, to help preserve affordable housing and improve relevant policies and procedures.

The section amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 by adding a provision for rural development housing voucher assistance under the Housing Act of 1949 to the list of covered programs, and makes some technical adjustments to the ordering of subparagraphs.

The amendment to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 allows aliens with certified agricultural worker or dependent status to receive certain financial assistance under specific sections of the Housing Act of 1949.

This section defines key terms related to foreign labor recruitment. It explains that a "foreign labor recruiter" is someone paid to recruit workers from outside the U.S. for specific visa jobs, excluding employers recruiting for themselves. The terms "foreign labor recruiting activity," "person," and "recruitment fees" are also defined, with the latter referencing an existing regulation.

The section establishes procedures for the Secretary of Labor, in collaboration with other government officials, to register foreign labor recruiters electronically, ensuring they meet certain requirements like not charging workers recruitment fees, providing truthful information, maintaining a bond, cooperating with investigations, and more. It also outlines regular updates, employer and recruiter notifications, additional responsibilities for the Secretary of State, and protections for workers against retaliation and exploitation.

The section outlines the enforcement measures related to foreign labor recruiters, including denial or revocation of registration by the Secretary of Labor if they violate certain requirements. It also describes the process for filing complaints, penalties for non-compliance, the ability to take civil action, an employer's safe harbor from joint liability, and the protection of employees' rights against waivers. Additionally, it establishes the liability of foreign labor recruiters for acts done by their agents or subcontractees, and allows for parole to remain in the U.S. if necessary to pursue legal relief.

The section authorizes the allocation of necessary funds for the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of State to implement the provisions outlined in this part of the law.

The section describes how the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification System works, which aims to ensure that individuals working in the United States are authorized to do so. It outlines the responsibilities of various government departments, the verification process for employers and employees, the prevention of identity theft and fraud, safeguards for privacy, and penalties for misuse of the system.

The section outlines the establishment of an electronic system for verifying the employment eligibility of individuals in the United States, describing responsibilities for various government entities, procedures for using the system, and penalties for noncompliance. It details how employers should verify a person's right to work, ensures privacy and security of personal data, and highlights penalties for misuse or unfair immigration-related employment practices.

The section mandates that people and companies in the agricultural industry in the U.S. use electronic verification to check the identity and work authorization of workers. It outlines specific timelines based on the size of the employer and includes provisions for a process to help individuals contest mistakes in their work authorization status, with potential delays allowed if there are many pending applications.

The section explains that the E-Verify Program is being replaced with a new employment eligibility system, and all references to E-Verify in laws or documents should now refer to this new system. Starting 30 days after new rules are published, former mandatory users like federal contractors must use the new system, while previous voluntary users can choose to comply with it.

The section revises existing legislation to include documents meant for proving employment authorization alongside identification documents, and updates references to specific legal sections.

Section 305 of the bill makes changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically targeting unlawful employment and unfair immigration-related employment practices. The section clarifies how the law applies to employing undocumented workers and updates rules concerning the misuse of a verification system to unfairly discriminate against workers.

The section outlines a requirement for an agreement between the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, effective from October 1, 2024, to ensure funding for employment eligibility verification responsibilities. If an agreement isn't reached by October 1 of any fiscal year, a previous agreement is temporarily used, with adjustments for inflation and changes in demand, and both agencies must inform Congress about the status of negotiations.

The section requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General submit an annual report to Congress about the electronic employment verification system. The report should cover topics like the accuracy of the system, challenges faced by its users, issues related to unfair employment practices, and the system's impact on the agricultural industry.

The Secretary of Homeland Security must work with the Social Security Commissioner to create a plan within a year to update the employment verification process. The plan should allow verification without a physical examination when necessary, simplify the process by proposing ways for employers to check identity without using Form I-9, and include any other ideas that could make the process easier without losing security.

The section outlines that the Secretary of Homeland Security must propose rules to implement the title and its amendments 270 days before a specified deadline, finalize these rules within 180 days of their proposal, and adhere to the Paperwork Reduction Act, ensuring any necessary forms are available both on paper and electronically to make them easy to complete and submit.