A new report suggests the Trump Administration could be shifting its stance on immigration enforcement in agriculture.
The Washington Post reports the Administration’s reversal of prior plans to exclude farm workers from the deportation process.
The report cites unnamed sources within Homeland Security, who say farms, hotels, and restaurants will again be targets for inspection. DHS Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin released a statement saying there will be “no safe spaces” for employers hiring undocumented workers, calling the raids essential for public safety and labor stability.
This comes following comments from the President last week supporting the longtime farm and hospitality workers.
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
Farmers who rely on H-2A workers will see a few key changes to speed up the process and make it fairer. On the ground, producers say labor issues create shortfalls in otherwise productive harvests.
Todd Miller, CEO of Head Honchos, shares about his business offering to ease agricultural labor shortages.
AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub joins us to dive into H-2A visa program changes and what can be done to ease the pressure on producers.
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
Farmers should anticipate continued upward pressure on farm labor costs and monitor policy changes that may further impact hiring decisions.
