1、H-2A Agricultural Guestworker Program: Changes Could Improve Services to1Employers and Better Protect Workers (GAO/HEHS-98-20), December 1997, p. 7.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-714 EPWUpdated April 9, 1998Immigration: The
2、 “H-2A” TemporaryAgricultural Worker ProgramJoyce Vialet Specialist in Immigration PolicyEducation and Public Welfare DivisionSummaryIn recent years, there have been various legislative efforts to modify or supplementthe existing H-2A temporary agricultural program authorized by the Immigration andN
3、ationality Act (INA). Concern has centered on making the program easier for growersto use while still maintaining protections for domestic labor. Growers have made limiteduse of the program in the past and a few years ago program usage was in decline.Current trends, however, show an increase due in
4、part to increased demand from tobaccogrowers. This report provides information on the H-2A program, illustrates currenttrends, discusses issues raised by the proposed changes, and tracks pending legislation.BackgroundThroughout the 20th century, U.S. agricultural producers have depended on foreignwo