A recent visit to Mexico gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue an opportunity to visit with counterparts there on the matter of guest workers for agriculture. Rod Bain has the story.
Robust Debate Expected on E-Verify in Florida
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis will prioritize a controversial proposal that would require Florida businesses to use a federal system to check the immigration status of new hires, but the leader of the Florida Senate said Tuesday he is “cautious” about passing such a plan. “I expect there will be a robust debate, but the case is going to have …
Perdue Comments on Administrative Actions to Streamline H-2A Process
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement highlighting actions announced by the Department of Labor (DOL) that will modernize the burdensome H-2A visa process. First, DOL published a common-sense rule that eliminates the requirement to advertise a job opening in print newspapers, instead shifting to advertising on the DOL and State Workforce Agency websites, which are further …
Congressman Yoho Introduces Ag Guest Worker Bill
As labor continues to be a top-priority issue for producers nation-wide, Congressman Ted Yoho is aiming to lessen worries of a labor shortage by introducing a new ag guest worker bill. He discussed this new bill in a recent exclusive interview with AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor. According to Yoho, the bill shies away from immigration and focuses solely on ensuring …
Perdue Statement on Meeting with Guatemalan Ministers
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with a host of Ministers from Guatemala to discuss implementation of the recently signed agreement between the United States and Guatemala to improve H-2A visa program operations. Following the meeting, Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “America’s farmers and ranchers need a legal and reliable agricultural workforce, and we …
Yoho Drafts New Ag Labor Bill – Invites Ag Input
Florida Congressman Ted Yoho this week released a draft of guest worker legislation that he is sharing with the farm sector for further comments and input. Yoho has produced a video about his efforts, and just announced a round table meeting with farmers for further input and discussion about his legislative ideas. The round table is scheduled for Wednesday, August …
Secretary Perdue on Labor Agreement with Guatemala
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the Department of Labor and Guatemala on the signing of an agreement to improve H-2A visa program operations. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “Our farmers and ranchers are the most productive in the world, and they want to obey immigration law. This move by the United States and …
Alabama Looking for Temporary Help during Peanut Harvest
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will be accepting applications and conducting interviews for temporary employment for the 2019 peanut harvest at various locations in the state during August. Tyron Spearman has more details. For more information concerning positions available, starting salaries along with dates and locations where applications will be accepted and interviews conducted, please visit: http://www.alabamafsis.com.
U.S. and Guatemala Working Together on H-2A Recruiting
(NAFB) — Governments in the U.S. and Guatemala are working together to form a “registered Foreign Labor Recruiter Program” for farmworkers who want to come to the U.S. Politico says the initiative is part of several agreements that the governments are discussing to address what they call “irregular immigration patterns.” Under the program, the U.S. would prioritize H-2A visa applications …
Guest-Worker Reforms Essential as Enforcement Increases
(AFBF) — The federal government’s announcement of plans to expand and expedite the deportation of undocumented workers prompted a forceful call for guest-worker reforms by AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We are a nation of laws and farmers believe our laws must be followed, but our laws also ought to allow for an adequate, legal workforce,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. …