Trump addresses Georgia's years-long migrant farm worker concerns

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(The Center Square) - The Trump administration implemented a new rule on Oct. 2 that would revise wage standards for immigrant farm workers across the country.

Under this new rule, the Department of Labor would use state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data to establish rates for H-2A visa workers, instead of relying on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

The department said the new rule will stabilize wage rates in the industry whereas the previous system's rates would dramatically shift from year to year.

“This continuity is essential for minimizing the likelihood of shortages, price volatility, and disruptions throughout the supply chain, which can affect customers and businesses alike,” the department wrote in its rule.

Over the years, state governments across the country have introduced proposals to adjust the H-2A visa program or make individual state-based visa programs.

In 2011, the Georgia General Assembly passed a law that required the state’s Department of Agriculture to study labor in the state and evaluate the feasibility of a state-based agricultural worker program.

“Both Georgia and federal law fail to address many of the legal, economic, and security aspects of immigration issues facing our state and especially our agricultural industry,” the law reads.

The study, released in January 2012, found agricultural workers reported labor shortages and negative economic effects on employers throughout the state who employed H-2A workers.

The report criticized the government’s wage calculation efforts over arbitrary increases and suggested it move to a locally based calculation method.

“Mandating a premium wage to ensure that U.S. workers are not being adversely affected by guest workers complicates the H-2A program, but a prevailing wage, which is geographically and job specific, similar to the H-2B program could simplify the program,” the study reads.

Ultimately, the report found that establishing a state-based visa system in place of the federal H-2A program would be legally challenging.

"From expanding eligibility to exercising common sense in writing rules for the antiquated program, only the federal government can make this program useful for farmers,” the report reads. “It is yet to be seen if H-2A can be rebranded to fulfill the needs of 21st century agriculture, but reforming the archaic program must be a near term priority.”

The Trump administration’s 2025 wage rate proposal appears to align with the desires Georgia farm workers have expressed for years. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, praised the administration’s push for reform.

“For years, our members have faced skyrocketing labor costs that threatened the viability of family farms in Georgia,” Butts said. “These new wage rules bring much-needed relief and help restore balance to the H-2A program.”

However, the United Farm Workers said the rule change could lead to significant wage cuts for migrant farm workers.

“By lowering the wages paid to H-2A workers, the Trump administration is putting downward pressure on the wages of U.S. workers and will ultimately displace many U.S. citizens from jobs in agriculture,” United Farm Workers said.

Even still, Georgia farm associations are celebrating proposed changes to the program, which they said has been years in the making.

“By aligning wages with real market conditions, our growers can plan for the season with certainty. We applaud the swift action by DOL and DHS to address long-standing concerns,” Butts said.