By Blake Jackson
A recent legal ruling has brought relief to farmers by pausing a U.S. Department of Labor regulation affecting the H-2A Visa Program, a key initiative for hiring temporary agricultural workers. Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia attorneys general challenged the rule, arguing it placed undue burdens on farmers.
The lawsuit, initiated by Kentucky farmers, was supported by these states in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The court issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking the regulation’s enforcement. The contested rule aimed to require temporary foreign workers to engage in collective bargaining, which opponents claimed exceeded federal authority.
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s failed attempts to force collective bargaining on Alabama farmers is yet another example of why Americans voted them out,” said Attorney General Marshall. “Even on their way out the door, this Administration continues to wreak havoc on American industry. We will keep fighting them until the moving vans arrive at the White House.”
Critics of the rule argued it added unnecessary complexities to an already critical labor resource for the agricultural sector. The court’s decision underscores ongoing tensions between state governments and federal policies impacting labor and agriculture. This case represents a significant step for farmers reliant on the H-2A program to sustain their operations and livelihoods.
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Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy