One U.S. visa program is growing rapidly. No one is happy with it
Page 5/18

First established in the 1980s, the H-2A program allows agricultural employers to request foreign farmworkers on a temporary and seasonal basis, provided they cannot find enough workers in the U.S., among other requirements.

Florida is the top state for use of H-2A visas, followed by Georgia, California, Washington and North Carolina. Those states make up just over half of all H-2A visa certifications.

"We estimate using about 55,000 guest workers this past year, not because the program works well, but because growers have no other choice," said Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

But growers are unhappy with the program's provisions, such as wages that regularly increase and other costs, including responsibilities to pay for housing, transportation and medical care for each worker.

Prev
Next
Back to headlines
News menu
Home