Temporary visas for foreign farm workers

Annually, thousands of farmers travel to the US to work for local producers who supply the food markets that feed American families.

The US’ food supply chain benefits greatly from foreign workforce. It also offers a great opportunity for foreign farmers to come to the country to have a better income compared to what they earn in their countries.

Foreign workers typically specialize in areas such as:

• Agriculture. They plant and harvest a large amount of food produced in the US.
• Food packaging industry.
• Mass food production
• Food Transportation.

Therefore, local food production companies of any kind need foreign workforce to supply the needs of American families and the local market. Otherwise, food shortages would hit the local population and possibly unleash social chaos.

President Trump’s current restrictions

In an effort to mitigate the impact of the global pandemic and reduce the massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the US, the Trump administration decided to suspend the issuance of most work visas, at least until the end of the year.

It means that the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is not allowed to issue work visas until 2021.

However, essential visas to sustain the US’ food supply chain may be requested. In this way, the government ensures that local markets are constantly supplied during the health emergency.

For instance, the H-2B work visa is currently available. This visa grants a temporary work permit to foreign farmers, especially during the harvest seasons in different areas of the country. Therefore, local agricultural producers can currently request foreign workers to the USCIS.

What is the real problem?

Most foreign farmworkers who come to the US are from Central and South American territory.

Due to the fact that Central and South America are becoming the new epicenter of the Coronavirus in the world, local restrictions have increased, and many farmers planning to go to the US have been unable to begin their travel process.

In addition to that, hundreds of cases of foreign farmworkers infected with Coronavirus have already been reported on farms around the US. This causes hundreds of foreign workers to refrain from coming to the country to protect their health.

Therefore, the US’ agricultural sector, which greatly benefits from foreign workforce, could feel a strong impact from the lack of foreign agricultural workers.

Our expert attorneys can offer you a specialized guidance for your Business Immigration case.

A possible solution

Since the first positive cases of Coronavirus were reported among foreign farmers, they have asked for more protective medical supplies to prevent a massive outbreak in US farms.

However, despite the fact that their work is essential for the American market and for the families that consume the food planted and harvested by foreign workers, local producers did not listen to the suggestions on time and the number of farmers infected with COVID-19 has increased exponentially during the past few weeks.

Thus, a possible solution is for local farms to offer more benefits and protection to foreign workers who come to the country to risk their health and provide food to American families.

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That is why we want to offer you our help so that you leave your immigration application in our hands and feel some kind of relief during the current juncture.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

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