On March 24, 2023, Rep. Allen (R-GA), re-introduced the “Better Agricultural Resources Now Act” (BARN), which would amend the H-2A program to remove important government oversight and to slash labor protections that are needed to protect both U.S. workers and guestworkers.
Resource Center Immigration & Labor Tags: H-2A
Interactive Map of DOL FY2022 H-2A Certification Data
Data analysis and visualization of Department of Labor FY2022 H-2A Certification Data
FACT SHEETS: New H-2A Rule Makes Progress on Worker Protections, But Further Reforms Needed
On October 12, 2022, the US Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule amending the regulations of the H-2A temporary agricultural work visa program (the “2022 H-2A Rule”). Farmworker Justice welcomes the 2022 H-2A Rule’s limited improvements to worker protections and the standards that prospective H-2A employers must meet to obtain DOL certification. The impact of other changes, such as a new methodology for critically important prevailing wage determinations, remains unclear.
What is clear is that this rule does not go far enough to make the structural reforms that are necessary to confront the widespread abuse of US and foreign farmworkers in the H-2A program. The H-2A visa puts a worker’s legal status under the control of their employer, creating a power imbalance that too often results in exploitation and violation of workers’ rights. These workers need more than limited technical changes to achieve a truly safe and fair workplace[…]
Read Farmworker Justice’s fact sheets to learn more:
Fact sheet: Rampant Violations of Workers’ Rights Reveal Flaws of H-2A Visa Program
Fact sheet describing frequent violations of workers’ rights and the need for reform in the H-2A visa program.
Adverse Effect Wage Rates 2020 – 2021
State-by-state chart showing the 2020 and 2021 Adverse Effect Wages Rates (AEWR) for the H-2A guestworker program.
Fact Sheet on the AGRI Act of 2019
Farmworker Justice fact sheet on the "AGRI Act" of 2019, H.R. 3740, which would further worsen workers' rights in the H-2A temporary visa program.
FJ Fact Sheet on the 2019 H-2A Rulemaking
Farmworker Justice summary of the July 2019 proposed rulemaking on the H-2A temporary visa program. Comments are due September 24, 2019.
Fact Sheet on Sen. Paul H-2A Bill
This fact sheet details Sen. Paul's (R-KY) "Paperwork Reduction for Farmers and H-2A Modernization Act," S. 1887, which seeks to expand the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program to year-round jobs, among other provisions.
Fact Sheet on Rep. Collins HELP Farms H-2A Expansion Bill
FJ Fact Sheet on Rep. Collins' "Helping Labor Personnel on Farms Act" or "HELP Farms Act," H.R. 2801, which seeks to expand the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program to year-round jobs.
Read moreFact Sheet on Rep. Collins HELP Farms H-2A Expansion Bill
ILRWG Letter on H-2A Dairy Amendment
Letter from the International Labor Recruitment Working Group (ILRWG), of which Farmworker Justice is a member, opposing substantive H-2 riders in the appropriations process.