H.R. 5494: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for an H-2C nonimmigrant classification, and for other purposes.
Quick Facts:
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11)
Congress: 119
Date Introduced: Sept. 18, 2025
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (Sept. 18, 2025)
Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act
This bill creates the H-2C category of temporary nonimmigrant workers for an initial period of not more than a total of 36 months, with an option for two renewals. Employers seeking H-2C alien workers would have to verify they are in "full employment areas," which are areas with unemployment rates at 7.9% or lower. An occupation that is listed in the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (or similar successor publication) that is classified as requiring an individual with a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education may not be an eligible occupation.
Rep. Don Davis (D-NC-1) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD-1) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA-7) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV-2) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) (Sept. 18, 2025)
Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-UT-3) (Sept. 23, 2025)