HI HCR187

Request that United States Customs and Border Protection establish a crewmember's visa for foreign citizens employed in the commercial fishing industry.

Address a federal law loophole that allows hundreds of undocumented foreign workers to work on American fishing vessels while exempting them from basic labor protections.

Highlight that affected workers from Southeast Asia and Pacific Island nations (Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Kiribati) work for wages as low as 70 cents per hour on dangerous jobs catching high-value fish like swordfish and ahi tuna.

Note that without legal visa status, these workers are prohibited from setting foot on shore when vessels dock at American ports despite working on American-flagged, American-owned boats.

Direct transmission of the resolution to the President, Secretary of Homeland Security, Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, and Hawaii's Congressional delegation.