Section 1 Short titles
This Act may be cited as the “Dairy and Sheep H–2A Act” or the “DASH Act”.
Dairy and Sheep H–2A Act
A BILL
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a special rule for the period of admission of H–2A nonimmigrants employed as sheepherders, goat herders, or dairy farmers, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Nonimmigrant status for dairy workers, sheepherders, and goat herders
Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) is amended by inserting “or who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services as a sheepherder, goat herder, or dairy worker,” after “of a temporary or seasonal nature,”.
Sec. 3 Special rule for period of admission of H–2A nonimmigrants employed as sheepherders, goat herders, or dairy workers
Section 218(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188(h)) is amended by adding at the end of the following:
“(3) In the case of an alien admitted as an H–2A worker for employment as a sheepherder, goat herder, or dairy worker—
“(A) the initial period of admission shall be for a period of 3 years;
“(B) the period of admission may be extended for additional periods of 3 years; and
“(C) no period of absence from the United States may be required as a condition of approval of an extension under subparagraph (B).”
Sec. 4 Provisions by the Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations that address the specific requirements for the provision of housing to sheepherders, goat herders, and dairy workers.
Sec. 5 Savings provision
Nothing in section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188), as amended by this Act, may be construed to preclude the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Homeland Security from continuing to apply special procedures and requirements to the admission and employment of aliens in occupations involving the range production of livestock.