Latest News From Immigration

New rule aims to give H-2A workers new protections
New rule aims to give H-2A workers new protections

The proposal would strengthen protections for farmworkers in the H-2A program and help prevent abuses that undermine wages and standards for all agricultural workers, according to the Department of Labor.

National Council of Agricultural Employers opens registration for Ag Labor Forum
National Council of Agricultural Employers opens registration for Ag Labor Forum

The event will bring together attorneys, academics, agents, and representatives from federal agencies and foreign governments to delve into labor issues facing U.S. agricultural employers.

North American Blueberry Council praises reintroduction of Farm Workforce Modernization Act
North American Blueberry Council praises reintroduction of Farm Workforce Modernization Act

The North American blueberry advocacy group is urging Congress to support specialty crop producers with current employment challenges by passing reintroduced workforce legislation.

California Fresh Fruit Association reacts to border security and immigration bill
California Fresh Fruit Association reacts to border security and immigration bill

“H.R. 2 does nothing to help U.S. agriculture and instead throws a longstanding foe in E-Verify in our faces,” California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay said in a statement.

Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border
Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border

President Biden traveled on Sunday to the U.S./Mexico border amid a surge in illegal border crossings. The administration announced a new program for up to 30,000 migrants a month to enter the U.S. legally.

Labor contractor sentenced for forced labor conspiracy of H-2A workers
Labor contractor sentenced for forced labor conspiracy of H-2A workers

Bladimir Moreno, owner of agricultural labor company LVH, led a multistate criminal enterprise and was sentenced to 118 months in prison, according to the Department of Justice.

Congress fails to pass farm labor reforms in omnibus spending bill
Congress fails to pass farm labor reforms in omnibus spending bill

The Affordable and Secure Food Act was not able to secure bipartisan support in the Senate’s lame duck session.

Passage of bipartisan farm labor bill would be a 'Christmas miracle'
Passage of bipartisan farm labor bill would be a 'Christmas miracle'

If passed in the final weeks of 2022, the Affordable and Secure Food Act would streamline the H2-A program, offer agricultural wage stabilization and provide a path to citizenship for farmworkers.

Farmworker wages up 7% from last year, according to USDA Farm Labor Survey
Farmworker wages up 7% from last year, according to USDA Farm Labor Survey

The USDA reports farmworker wage trends from the last year, highlighting statistics that will inform H-2A wage changes for 2023.

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
Would More Legal Immigration Help the White House Fight Inflation? Mexico's President is Now Pushing For It

President Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador are meeting Tuesday as both face a surge in migration. They are expected to announce multiyear, joint projects to modernize border infrastructure.

Ag Groups Urge Biden Administration to Grant Travel Exemptions to South African H-2A Farm Workers
Ag Groups Urge Biden Administration to Grant Travel Exemptions to South African H-2A Farm Workers

More than 60 ag groups telling the Biden Administration on Monday the nearly 7,000 South African farm workers should be exempted from restrictions related to the Omicron variant. 

Sen. Stabenow urges industry activism on immigration reform and climate change
Sen. Stabenow urges industry activism on immigration reform and climate change

Senate ag committee leader Debbie Stabenow stressed the importance of industry engagement on immigration and climate change legislation in an address to the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference.

Packer Insight — Labor legislation, SEPC and online grocery
Packer Insight — Labor legislation, SEPC and online grocery

The Packer editors Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder discuss the big topics of the week, from legislation on immigration to a preview of SEPC's Southern Exposure to the latest online grocery data.

Immigration reform and coronavirus relief programs — Podcast
Immigration reform and coronavirus relief programs — Podcast

Episode 36 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features an interview between Tom Karst, editor-in-chief of The Packer, and Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Produce Association.

USDA adds online H-2A resources to ease hiring
USDA adds online H-2A resources to ease hiring

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated the farmers.gov website with features designed to help growers hire workers through the H-2A program.

Trump’s executive order on immigration won’t stop H-2A workers
Trump’s executive order on immigration won’t stop H-2A workers

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 22 which puts a 60-day pause on immigration into the U.S. 

Department of State waives interview requirement for H-2A workers
Department of State waives interview requirement for H-2A workers

The Department of State is taking steps to reduce delays in the processing of H-2A workers caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

H-2A employers find complications with COVID-19 outbreak
H-2A employers find complications with COVID-19 outbreak

Farmers who use the H-2A guest worker program are facing COVID-19-related delays in the processing and approval of those workers.

Panetta invites farmworker to State of the Union
Panetta invites farmworker to State of the Union

U.S. representative Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., whose district includes Salinas and other fresh produce growing areas, has invited a farmworker as guest to the State of the Union address.

House passes farm labor bill; industry shifts focus to Senate
House passes farm labor bill; industry shifts focus to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act Dec. 11.

Produce groups support farm labor law, will seek improvements
Produce groups support farm labor law, will seek improvements

Drawing broad bipartisan and industry support, House lawmakers on Oct. 30 introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. 

Fate of H-2A reform legislation uncertain
Fate of H-2A reform legislation uncertain

PALM BEACH, Fla. — It is a 50-50 chance that bipartisan legislation to reform key aspects of the H-2A guest worker program will be considered by Congress this fall, says Craig Regelbrugge. 

U.S. Department of Labor issues final rule to modernize H-2A program
U.S. Department of Labor issues final rule to modernize H-2A program

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a final rule that will allow agricultural employers to advertise for domestic workers online rather than in a newspaper before they turn to foreign guest workers.

Better trade news on its way, Sonny Perdue says
Better trade news on its way, Sonny Perdue says

While stating that the China trade war “is what it is,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told attendees of the United Fresh Washington Conference that a new trade agreement with Japan may be only days away.

Immigration, trade draw heavy focus at Washington Conference
Immigration, trade draw heavy focus at Washington Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Immigration reform, trade and child nutrition reauthorization grabbed the top talking points at the United Fresh Washington Conference’s March on Capitol Hill. 

U.S., Guatemala, H-2A program addresses ‘irregular migration’
U.S., Guatemala, H-2A program addresses ‘irregular migration’

UPDATED: The U.S. and Guatemala are pursuing a program to boost H-2A workers from that country, in an effort to stem what the Department of Homeland Security calls irregular migration patterns.

Packer Insight — H-2A, cotton candy grapes and yellow dragon fruit
Packer Insight — H-2A, cotton candy grapes and yellow dragon fruit

Tom Karst joins Ashley Nickle to discuss news of the week, from the latest developments on the H-2A immigration program to updates on some specialty produce items that shoppers will be eyeing.

UPDATED: Trump promises new tariffs on Mexico
UPDATED: Trump promises new tariffs on Mexico

(UPDATED, May 31) President Donald Trump has promised a series of escalating tariffs on Mexican imports if the U.S. southern neighbor doesn’t do more to stop undocumented migrants crossing to the U.S.

Perdue hears about labor needs in mushroom country
Perdue hears about labor needs in mushroom country

Pushing trade goals and hearing about labor woes from mushroom growers, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue came to Kennett Square, Pa., and participated in an industry discussion on May 30.

California farms face continuing labor shortages
California farms face continuing labor shortages

California growers continue to face labor shortages, according to a new survey.

Nassif: Immigration, border policies tighten ag labor availability
Nassif: Immigration, border policies tighten ag labor availability

U.S. growers are losing experienced workers, and immigration and border control policies are leading to chronic labor shortages, Western Growers CEO and President Tom Nassif told members of Congress.

Packer Insight — H-2A and outbreak fallout
Packer Insight — H-2A and outbreak fallout

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle discuss the latest comments on H-2A from the Trump administration and the urging of consumer and food safety groups for more traceability requirements in the wake of the romaine outbreak.

Amelia Freidline
Clearing Up H-2C Confusion

This year, Congress has an opportunity to enact an effective agricultural guestworker program.

Amelia Freidline
Avoid making immigration political

Immigration has been an issue for decades, but it’s become radioactive recently, and the produce industry finds itself in a dangerous spot.

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle.
Packer Insight — Immigration bill and Walmart e-commerce

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle discuss why Western Growers opposes the latest Goodlatte guest worker bill and why the slowing of Walmart's e-commerce growth does not necessarily portend anything bad for online grocery.

<p>President Trump</p>
Trump touts tax reform, bipartisan immigration plan

Touting success in securing tax reform and cutting regulations in his first year in office, President Trump vowed progress on infrastructure and immigration policy during his first State of the Union Address.

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
Republicans Introducing Their DACA Bill In Hopes for Compromise

Some Democratic lawmakers indicate they will shut the government down unless something is done to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Trump Again Demands a Wall as Lawmakers Chase Immigration Deal

Trump Again Demands a Wall as Lawmakers Chase Immigration Deal

<p>Al Stehly lemons</p>
AgDay TV: Growers discuss ag labor legislation

Produce growers are searching for long-term solutions not just a short-term fix when it comes to agricultural labor.

CA Growers, Organizations Share Ag Labor Struggles and Solutions
CA Growers, Organizations Share Ag Labor Struggles and Solutions

Produce growers are searching for long-term solutions not just a short-term fix when it comes to agricultural labor.&nbsp; &nbsp; However, lawmakers and the farming community are mixed when it comes to those different solutions. The Ag Guest worker Act, introduced by Chairman Bob Goodlatte cleared the House Judiciary Committee in late October. It&rsquo;s designed to replace the H-2A Program. That&rsquo;s not the only piece of legislation floating around Congress.&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawmaker Lamar Smith introduced legislation called the Legal Workforce Act,&nbsp;which could mandate employers to use the e-verify system to check legal status of agricultural employees. &nbsp; It&rsquo;s a tug-of-war battle to see which piece of legislation proposed&nbsp;at&nbsp;roughly the same time will work for farmers. &nbsp; AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben talked with West Coast produce growers Neil Nagata with Nagata Bros. Farms in Oceanside, Ca., and Al Stehly with Rockwood Ranch in Escondido, Ca., about their challenges and thoughts on potential legislation. Betsy also talked with Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers as well. Listen to the full AgDay segment above.

Produce in California
Act Which Could Replace H2A Passes in House Judiciary Committee

Producers are one step closer to a new guest worker program designed to get more agricultural labor help to operations. &nbsp;The Ag. Guest Worker Bill barely clearing the House Judiciary committee by a vote of 17 to 16 on Wednesday. The bill is designed to replace the current H2A program.&nbsp;

<p>Craig Regelbrugge</p>
Ag labor reform supported, but bill raises concerns

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — When it comes to the Agriculture Guestworker Act, Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s proposed labor bill that’s been dubbed H-2C, Craig Regelbrugge has advice for growers.

Dairy_workers_-_2013
Is Immigrant Farm Labor 'Deport Proof'?

Trump says his immigration crackdown won&#39;t hurt agriculture. We&#39;ll see.

wine grapes
Trump Winery in Virginia Seeks More Foreign Workers

As President Donald Trump touts job creation for Americans as a top priority, his son&#39;s Virginia winery is seeking permission to hire foreign workers to cultivate its grapes.

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Officials Seek Clarity from Feds After Farmworkers Arrested

Vermont officials, including the three members of the state&#39;s congressional delegation, said Monday they are asking federal authorities to clarify their immigration priorities following the arrests last week of three advocates for farmworkers.

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
Why Deporting Undocumented Immigrants Could Slow US Economy

If President Donald Trump&#39;s hardline stance on illegal immigration leads to large-scale deportations, among those hurt could be the U.S. economy.

DT_Dairy_Parlor_Employees
Vermont Discusses Concerns About Immigrant Farmworkers

Officials in Vermont are looking at how to adress farm labor in the state should immigration policies change under the Trump administration.

Lely Robotic Milker
Robot Crop Pickers Limit Loss of Farm Workers to Trump Wall

Decline of immigrant labor has spurred agricultural automation.

A Donald Trump sign along a highway near Los Banos, California.
Trump's Deportation Vow Spurs California Farmers Into Action

A California farmer says Donald Trump&#39;s campaign vow to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally pushed him into buying more equipment, cutting the number of workers he&rsquo;ll need during the next harvest. Others in California&#39;s farming industry say Trump&#39;s tough campaign talk targeting immigrants in the country illegally, including a vast number of farmworkers, spurred them into action, too.

Japan_Rice_Planting
Japan Turns to Foreign Workers as Farmers Age

Number found working illegally nearly triples in three years.