Florida and Georgia remained the top two users of the H-2A program, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of Sept. 30, 2021. For the fiscal year (FY) 2021, the number of certified positions for Florida numbered 44,706, or 14.1% of the total certified in FY 2021. Georgia was second with 35,205 positions or 11.1%.
The other top states in H-2A certified positions include California, Washington, North Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan, Arizona, New York and Texas.
Farmers and crop laborers top the list of occupations who had the most certified positions, accounting for 274,939 or 86.6% in the FY 2021.
There were 330,486 positions requested with 317,619 positions certified with 97% processed timely.
The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs.