economy
Trump Administration to Increase Visas for Agricultural Workers
The Trump administration is quietly increasing the number of temporary visas for immigrant farm workers, The New York Times reports.
TL;DR
- The Trump administration is increasing temporary visas for immigrant farm workers.
- The changes make it cheaper for farmers to hire foreign workers on H-2A visas.
- Farmers cite difficulty hiring American workers and tough economic conditions.
- Labor unions and immigration hawks argue the changes will displace American workers and lower wages.
- The United Farmworkers of America has filed a lawsuit against the new rules.
- The changes underscore conflicts between reducing immigration, keeping food prices low, and helping American workers.
- A significant proportion of farmers report labor shortages due to immigration enforcement and anxiety.
- New H-2A visa rules lower wages for immigrant workers and allow housing to be part of compensation.
- The number of H-2A visas issued has significantly increased over the past decade.