Amicus Press Release

Washington, DC –Farmworker Justice joins FarmSTAND and partners in an amicus brief in support of maintaining newly issued protections for farmworkers. The challenge to the regulation was brought in the Southern District of Georgia by grower interests and several Conservative Attorney Generals, who allege the DOL acted unlawfully in carrying out its obligations under the H-2A Program.

On April 26, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) published its final rule “Improving Protections For Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States” (the “2024 Final Rule”) amending regulations of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program. 

“The 2024 Final Rule includes critically needed clarifications and reforms of the H-2A Program regulations. Moreover, DOL was well within its power to regulate the H-2A Program, as it has done for decades. We will fight to keep these needed protections for farmworkers in place,” said Farmworker Justice Legal Director Lori Johnson.

Farmworker Justice provided an extensive comment on the proposed rule which focused on strengthening needed protections for agricultural workers and enhancing DOL’s capabilities to monitor compliance and take enforcement actions. 

The Attorneys Nathan Leys and Kelsey Eberly of FarmSTAND, along with Shelly Anand of Sur Legal will be representing Farmworker Justice and other Friends of the Court.