Immigration Reform in the U.S. Senate

March 31, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate is working on immigration reform after approval on Monday of a reform bill in the Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Bill includes an amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) known as the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2006, or AgJOBS 2006.

The full Senate will be debating the package, as well as the amendments including enforcement provisions.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) has policy supporting codification of the long standing practices of visas for sheep herders under the H2A program. U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is leading the support for the sheepherder language.

Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33