Senator Dianne Feinstein has added her voice to industry leaders asking for timely processing of Mexican H-2A workers needed to harvest U.S. produce crops.
In a March 20 letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Feinstein, D-Calif., called on the State Department to protect the nation’s food supply chain by ensuring agriculture workers are able to receive H-2A visas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said an earlier pledge by the Trump administration to make H-2A worker visas a priority doesn’t go far enough.
“The ability to harvest food is critical to our nation’s food security, particularly during a national emergency,” Feinstein said in the letter.
“I ask that you consider the food security needs of our nation and take every precaution necessary to protect public health during the coronavirus pandemic. Interrupting the issuance of H-2A agricultural visas – particularly for returning workers who have no inadmissibility concern – harms our national interests and may cause an interruption to our food supply in the midst of a global pandemic.”
In the letter, Feinstein said she was concerned about the State Department’s decision to suspend visa processing at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico.
“While the Department has said it will prioritize the processing of returning workers, there are specific steps that should be taken to further streamline this process,” Feinstein said in the letter.
She said that “interrupting” the issuance of H-2A agricultural visas - particularly for returning workers with no issues that would prevent entry - harms U.S. national interests and could cause an interruption to the food supply.
“I respectfully request that the State Department recognize H-2A visas as “essential,” and prioritize processing and waive in-person interviews for returning H-2A workers who have received an H-2A visa in the last two years,” Feinstein said in the letter.
Related articles
H-2A employers find complications with COVID-19 outbreak
Coronavirus spurs concerns for farmworkers
