WAFLA on Immigration Fears Pt 1

With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. As President Trump's immigration policies stir up emotions everywhere, it's worth asking what kind of effect the unrest is having on farm labor.

WAFLA Director Dan Fazio isn't too worried. In fact, he's pleased to see a President who does what he said he would do during the campaign ...

DAN FAZIO ... "That being said, the Administration is interested in jobs for Americans and they are asking us to make the business case for non-immigrant Visa programs like the H2A program. We are able to make that case. H2A does not affect jobs for Americans. In fact, it increases employment for domestic workers and there's been no adverse effect on employment for American workers for these jobs. These are jobs that American workers either don't want to do or we have a severe shortage of workers."

Fazio says once we make that business case, he optimistic the Administration will streamline the H2A program, particularly on the Homeland Security side ...

DAN FAZIO ... "And then we also feel very confident that, for H2A, the Administration is open, making the needed changes to the regulation that really need to happen in order for people to able to use the program. Those would include a more logical prevailing wage, streamlining the program from an administrative standpoint, and perhaps even giving credit to farmers that are building lots of new housing for the workers."

Fazio says that doesn't mean they haven't received calls from WAFLA members or made calls to ease the fears of workers and employers.