The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Agriculture have announced a decision to amend certain H-2A visa requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain, and lessen impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. These temporary flexibilities will not weaken or eliminate protections for U.S. workers.
Montana Senator Jon Tester applauded the announcement saying, “As the Senate’s only working farmer, I know firsthand that Montana’s producers have been hit hard by this pandemic, but I’m glad this critical step will help provide some relief and protect our nation’s food security. I’m going to keep pushing aggressively to make sure our family farmers and ranchers have the certainty they need to get through this crisis and continue raising the ag products that feed the world.”
Under this temporary final rule, an H-2A employer with a valid temporary labor certification who is concerned that workers will be unable to enter the country due to travel restrictions can start employing certain foreign workers who are currently in H-2A status in the United States immediately after United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives the H-2A petition, but no earlier than the start date of employment listed on the petition. To take advantage of this time-limited change in regulatory requirements, the H-2A worker seeking to change employers must already be in the United States and in valid H-2A status.
Additionally, USCIS is temporarily amending its regulations to protect the country’s food supply chain by allowing H-2A workers to stay beyond the three-year maximum allowable period of stay in the United States. These temporary changes will encourage and facilitate the continued lawful employment of foreign temporary and seasonal agricultural workers during the COVID-19 national emergency. Agricultural employers should utilize this streamlined process if they are concerned with their ability to bring in the temporary workers who were previously authorized to work for the employer in H-2A classification. At no point is it acceptable for employers to hire illegal aliens.
Montana Senator Steve Daines said the added flexibility is critical for farmers and ranchers right now. “I’m glad to see DHS and the USDA take steps to address the H-2A visa issues which are harming Montana agriculture,” Daines said. “This step will help protect agricultural-related employment, our nation’s food supply chain, and help slow the impacts of Coronavirus on our country.”
Daines sent a letter to the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security on April 8th requesting that they develop and implement guidance that would provide flexibility for H-2A workers during the pandemic.
“This Administration has determined that continued agricultural employment, currently threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, is vital to maintaining and securing the country’s critical food supply chain. The temporary changes announced by USCIS provide the needed stability during this unprecedented crisis,” said Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf.
“USDA welcomes these additional flexibilities provided by the Department of Homeland Security today,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “Providing flexibility for H-2A employers to utilize H-2A workers that are currently in the United States is critically important as we continue to see travel and border restrictions as a result of COVID-19. USDA continues to work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor and the Department of State to minimize disruption and make sure farmers have access to these critical workers necessary to maintain the integrity in our food supply.”
The temporary final rule is effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. If the new petition is approved, the H-2A worker will be able to stay in the United States for a period of time not to exceed the validity period of the Temporary Labor Certification. DHS will issue a new temporary final rule in the Federal Register to amend the termination date of these new procedures in the event DHS determines that circumstances demonstrate a continued need for the temporary changes to the H-2A regulations.
The H-2A nonimmigrant classification applies to alien workers seeking to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature in the United States, usually lasting no longer than one year, for which able, willing, and qualified U.S. workers are not available.
About time,
Also they could go back and process 5 lb.blocks of cheese to give away to the public instead of dumping it!