Today, I introduced the Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023.
The legislation creates an Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better focus on addressing the needs of border colonias communities and farmworkers across the country.
This USDA-wide office will coordinate and lead inter-departmental and inter-agency efforts to address the needs of border colonias, farmworkers, and farmworker family members nationwide, including housing, health care, water and wastewater infrastructure, high-speed broadband, education, and more.
The term “Colonias” refers to unincorporated communities within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border that often lack basic amenities—including potable water, wastewater systems, and decent housing. There is no universal list of recognized colonias, but recent studies estimate 2,459 across Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico - 88% of which are located in Texas.
Some colonias were started in the 19th century, others emerged within the past 50 years. Most began when land was sold without infrastructure and homes were gradually built—providing an affordable option for home and land ownership.
I introduced this bill to ensure both colonias and farmworkers in South Texas have basic necessities and ease their quality of life. The Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023 will help streamline federal, state, and local government resources for easier assistance and outreach. Border colonias communities and farmworkers deserve better, and as a son of two migrant farmworkers, I am committed to making that happen.
The Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023 has been endorsed by Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, Chicanos Por La Causa, Enterprise Community Partners, Habitat for Humanity International, Housing Assistance Council, League of United Latin American Citizens, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Migrant Justice, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, National Education Association, National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association, National Rural Housing Coalition, Raza Development Fund, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, and United Migrant Opportunity Services.
The Act would create an Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better focus on the needs of border colonias communities and farmworkers across the country. The USDA- wide office will coordinate and lead inter-departmental and inter-agency efforts to address the needs of these populations, including housing, health care, water and wastewater infrastructure, high-speed broadband, access to economic opportunities, and more.
The Office will act as a one-stop shop for colonias and farmworker issues and will ensure that relevant programs and policies are efficient, accessible, and developed in consultation with stakeholders and public and nonprofit organizations serving these communities. This bill will streamline federal, state, and local government outreach and assistance for colonias communities and farmworkers.
Specifically, the legislation directs the Office to:
The Act builds on previous work dating back to the 1990s by Rep. Cuellar at the state and federal level to improve conditions in colonias—including passing landmark legislation in Texas and working with former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to increase funding for colonias. In addition, as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Cuellar secured report language in the fiscal year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill calling for USDA to explore creating an Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives.
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo. The column appears in The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. Cuellar can be reached by email via: rep.cuellar@mail.house.gov.
