US Rep. Don Bacon defends visa workforce bill amid GOP backlash

Retiring GOP Representative Don Bacon said “hate” and “stupidity” are driving citizen opposition to his support for the Securing America's Workforce Act (SAWA), a proposal to vastly expand H‑2A visas for low‑wage agricultural labor and grant legal status to many undocumented workers. Bacon tweeted on July 22 that polling shows about 35 % of respondents “hate all immigrants… and they’re loud,” and urged a stand against “stupidity.”

The bill, introduced by Pennsylvania Rep. Glen Thompson, has drawn criticism from former Trump administration officials and immigration advocates who warn it would replace American farm workers with foreign labor, harm local businesses, and undermine border security. So far, four of the 47 Republican co‑sponsors—Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood, North Carolina Rep. Tim Moore, Georgia Rep. Brian Jack and Indiana Rep. Mark Messmer—have announced they are withdrawing their support.

Critics such as Rosemary Jenks of the Immigration Accountability Project argue the legislation would erode domestic agricultural employment and spending power, while pro‑agricultural groups claim it addresses labor shortages. The debate highlights intra‑party tensions over immigration and rural economic policy.