California Ag Network

Tag: H-2A program

  • Dairy Orgs Praise H-2A Reform Bill

    The Internationalist Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) both voiced support for the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act, aimed modernizing the H-2A temporary ag workers program.

    “The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce we’ve seen in decades,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “It is particularly critical for dairy farmers, who have been effectively shut out of the nation’s primary legal agricultural guest worker program.”

    The bill was introduced by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Penn.),  who chairs the House Ag Committee. Both organizations praised his leadership with the bill.

    “Dairy farms and processors alike operate year-round and need access to a reliable workforce. Modernizing the H-2A program to meet the workforce needs of year-round dairy farm operations moves the needle in the right direction by strengthening the dairy supply chain,” said IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes. ” Although dairy processors also need reforms that offer workforce support, the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act better positions all of U.S. dairy to ensure families continue to have access to nutritious dairy products. IDFA thanks Chairman Thompson for his leadership in introducing this important legislation.”

    “I applaud Chairman Thompson and the other original co-sponsors for introducing this bill. Chairman Thompson, thank you for leading the way, as you so often have to the most important issues facing agriculture. NMPF will rally its advocates across dairy and all of agriculture to support this bill, and it stands ready to help build momentum in the House, secure a Senate companion bill, and ultimately get this legislation to the president’s desk.”

  • Dairy Orgs Praise H-2A Guidance for Dairy Operations

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) have released statements supporting the Trump Administration’s recent guidance clarifying how dairy operations my use the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program when they can demonstrate a qualifying temporary or seasonal labor need under existing laws.

    “IDFA appreciates President Trump’s commitment to advancing a workforce solution that recognizes the unique needs of America’s dairy industry,” IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes said on June 17. “Today’s announcement makes the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program a more viable tool for dairy producers, who have had no way to participate in a program designed primarily for seasonal agriculture.”

    “Dairy farmers appreciate the new clarification released by the Trump administration outlining how dairy operations may use the H-2A agricultural worker program. The dairy industry has long sought access to the H-2A program, and this guidance will help open the door for dairies to begin using this program,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “We applaud secretaries Rollins and Mullin and acting Secretary Sonderling for their proactive leadership on this issue and look forward to learning more about these important new changes.”

    In its guidance, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that the policy memorandum in no way imposes new obligations on employers submitting H-2A petitions, ensuring the USCIS will handle petitions on a case-by-case basis.

    “NMPF pledges to work with both Congress and the administration to secure long-term certainty for the dairy workforce, including solutions to transition to H-2A, which will ensure that dairies across the nation are set up to thrive, boosting rural communities and providing Americans and the world with high-quality, nutritious products,” Doud said.

  • Bipartisan Group Reintroduce Farm Workforce Modernization Act

    Congress members David Valadao (CA-22), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Jim Costa (CA-21), and Adam Gray (CA-13) have joined forces to reintroduce the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This bill, which passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support in the 116th and 117th Congresses, updates the H-2A agricultural guest worker program and is a compromise solution that provides needed stability for farmers and farmworkers. Congressman Valadao was a co-lead of the bill in the 118th Congress and a co-sponsor in the 117th Congress.

    “Central Valley farmers are the backbone of our nation’s agricultural industry, but they continue to face serious challenges finding and retaining a reliable workforce,” said Congressman Valadao. “The current H-2A program doesn’t meet the labor needs of many producers, but the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a positive step to addressing our agriculture workforce needs and securing our food supply chain. Food security is national security, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find long-term solutions that support our farmers and strengthen our food supply chain.”

    “The men and women who work America’s farms feed the nation. However, in the past few years, we’ve seen labor shortages contribute to high food prices,” said Rep. Lofgren. “As economic chaos and confusion continues, it is essential we provide stability to this critical workforce. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would do so, which will protect the future of our farms and our food supply. It is well-past time we get this bipartisan legislation twice passed by the House of Representatives to the President’s desk.”

    “The workforce crisis has come to a boiling point for farmers across the country. Reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a clear message to farmers that we are working hard to find solutions that ease the burdens brought on by the current state of the H-2A program. This legislation is necessary to lay the groundwork for continued negotiations, and I am committed to working closely with my colleagues to enact long-term, durable reforms to our agriculture guest worker programs. This issue has been, and remains, my top priority and unified Republican government is an opportunity to deliver for our farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Newhouse.

    “The workforce crisis is the most important issue facing agriculture in our country,” said Rep. Simpson. “Supporting American agriculture means providing a stable, reliable, and legal workforce, and this legislative solution addresses one of the most pressing concerns our farmers and ranchers face. Now that we finally have an administration taking the border crisis seriously, Congress must address this issue and enact necessary reforms. It is well past time we solve this problem. I look forward to working with my colleagues and getting this critical legislation across the finish line to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”

    “American agriculture depends on a reliable workforce and nowhere is that more true than in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where farmworkers are the backbone of our economy. This legislation is a common-sense, bipartisan solution that provides stability for our farmers and dignity for the workers who feed America. If President Trump is serious about fixing our broken immigration system, he should work with us to get this bill across the finish line,” said Congressman Costa.

    “Farm workers and the larger agricultural community are the backbone of the Central Valley’s economy,” said Congressman Gray. “Labor shortages on our farms could lead to higher food prices across the country and the Valley cannot afford to be shorthanded. This commonsense bipartisan bill would stabilize our vital workforce and make sure Valley farmers can continue to feed families across the country.”

    The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would:

    • Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers.
    • Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to choose to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy.
    • Focus on modification to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs.

    Read the full bill here.

  • Western Growers’ Statement on Administration’s H-2A Reform Initiative

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a joint cabinet statement on modernizing the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. In response, Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

    “Any effort to simplify and streamline the federal government’s visa program for agricultural foreign workers – the H-2A program – will be welcomed by our members.

    “While we do not know what the end result will be of the process that begins today, we are hopeful it will enable greater utilization of the H-2A program by the fresh produce industry. We would hope this process will lead to changes in several areas of the existing program, including changes that would accomplish the following:

    • modernize and reduce unnecessary cost of recruitment methods;
    • improve the scope and accuracy of prevailing wage surveys;
    • simplify the application process;
    • incorporate greater flexibility for movement of workers to respond to production needs;
    • clarify interpretations of seasonality; and
    • streamline the approval process for housing and transportation.
    Tom Nassif, Western Growers CEO

    “While this effort to implement administrative changes are most welcome, key aspects of the H-2A program can only be modified by statute. We have grown accustomed to fluctuations in the program’s processes with each administration. Indeed, administrative improvements undertaken by one administration can be, and are, undone by the next, as was done by the prior administration.

    “Though we do support changes to the H-2A program to make the process more efficient, we are concerned with the suggestion that E-Verify would be a part of this proposal. Changes to H-2A should be made to improve the system for the use of all, and any implication that necessary reforms would be limited to those that use E-Verify is concerning.

    “This is why we continue to call on Congress to enact immigration reform legislation that provides a workable path to legalization for our existing workforce and creates a new guest worker visa program to ensure ready access to an adequate supply of labor in the future. Only then can America’s fresh produce farmers plan for long-term sustainability.”