These migrants grow the US’s Christmas trees. Trump’s wage cuts may keep them away
Legal temporary farm workers also worry about the H-2A visa program and Trump’s anti-immigration regime
TL;DR
- Legal temporary farmworkers from Mexico are vital to North Carolina's Christmas tree industry, which is the state's number one agricultural crop.
- New H-2A visa program wage guidelines could significantly reduce workers' hourly pay, making the work less financially viable.
- Workers face long hours, physical strain, isolation, and health risks from pesticide exposure.
- Immigration policies and increased fear of enforcement agents are causing workers to reconsider returning to the US for seasonal work.
- The Christmas tree industry relies heavily on these workers, and a reduced workforce could have a devastating impact on the regional economy.