Catherwood LibraryILR School

The H-2A visa program, which allows farmers to hire foreign workers legally, is continuing to draw criticism from some who wonder why American workers are not being hired. North Carolina farmers were granted visas for 8,547 temporary workers, representing over 10% of the state's agricultural workers. Critics say that if farmers did not have the option to hire immigrants, wages would rise and more people would want the jobs on the farms. The farmers say that by hiring workers through the program, their costs rise relative to those who hire illegal immigrants, and that when they hire American workers, they often end up quitting. North Carolina farmers point out that their workers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, which provides injury pay and a grievance procedure, and that they would hire American workers if they would stay.