By Clint Thompson With all of the expensive headaches that accompany the H-2A program, it still provides growers with a much-needed workforce they aren’t going to find anywhere else. “I think at this particular juncture, people see it as the only game in town. No other viable option has presented itself,” said Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation …
AFBF Fearful Vaccination Mandate Could Impact H-2A Program
By Clint Thompson The mandate that all non-U.S individuals entering the United States show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will impact specialty crop producers hoping to get H-2A workers into the country in time for the spring crop. That’s the fear anyway shared by American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Congressional Relations Allison Crittendon. “I think it could cause …
New Vaccine Rule Could Impact H-2A Worker Availability
By Clint Thompson The new requirement that non-U.S. citizens entering the United States be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could impact access farm laborers have to H-2A workers. That’s the concern shared by Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “What they’re asking is that they verbally attest to the vaccination status, and they have …
Large Increases to H-2A Program Application Fees Proposed
(GFVGA) — On Nov. 14, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would increase immigration fees charged by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by an average of 21 percent for all applications, while limiting the number of beneficiaries per filing. However, H-2A program users will see significantly larger increases if this proposal were to go into …