Immigration
As President Donald Trump touts job creation for Americans as a top priority, his son’s Virginia winery is seeking permission to hire foreign workers to cultivate its grapes.
Growers and industry leaders are praising the Trump administration’s plan to overhaul the H-2A guest worker program, changing the way wages are determined and streamlining other parts.
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.
Seeking wage relief for U.S. growers using foreign guest workers, the National Council of Agricultural Employers still wants the U.S. Department of Labor to determine if U.S. workers are hurt by the H-2A program.
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.
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.
Is this finally the year for immigration reform for ag employers?
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.
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.
U.S. growers are losing experienced workers as they retire from the workforce, and immigration and border control policies are leading to chronic labor shortages, Western Growers CEO and President Tom Nassif told members of Congress.
Touching on border issues, trade issues and immigration, Robert Guenther spoke with The Packer’s editor Tom Karst on April 5.
It wasn’t the million man march, but media reports say a crowd of about 100 marched April 8 in an organized protest in Livingston, Calif.
With faint chances for passage but sure promise for passion, immigration and farm labor legislation will again be debated by Congress in June.
A 10-acre hydroponic greenhouse complex and a large potato farming operation in O’Neill, Neb., were two of several agricultural businesses targeted in raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
(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.
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 growers continue to face labor shortages, according to a new survey.
The Packer’s latest poll invites readers to evaluate President Trump’s handling of the immigration problems at the Mexican border.
President Trump has announced the U.S. and Mexico have reached a border immigration agreement that will indefinitely suspend 5% tariffs on Mexican imports that had been set to take effect June 10.
Immigration reform is at the point where most in Washington expect it to be one of the few major issues lawmakers deal with.
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.
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.
Former deputy ag secretary Kathleen Merrigan highlights the top non-farm-bill issues that are currently impacting agriculture.
Since being confirmed on Feb. 13, Secretary Rollins has been in the Washington D.C., USDA office for a few hours. Most of her time has been spent visiting farmers, ranchers and ag businesses in Kentucky, Kansas and at Top Producer Summit.
President Trump’s focus on mass deportation is creating a sense of nervousness that hasn’t been felt since the Obama Administration. Yet, the bigger concern is a H-2A system that’s become too costly for many farmers to use.