Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States

The Department of Labor (the Department or DOL) is proposing to amend its regulations governing the certification of temporary employment of nonimmigrant workers in temporary or seasonal agricultural employment and the enforcement of the contractual obligations applicable to employers of such nonimmigrant workers. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM or Proposed Rule) reexamines the process by which employers obtain a temporary labor certification from the Department for use in petitioning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to employ a nonimmigrant worker in H-2A status. The Department also proposes to amend the regulations at 29 CFR part 501 to provide for sufficient enforcement under the H-2A program so that workers are appropriately protected when employers fail to meet the requirements of the H-2A program.

Agency Contact: For further information on 20 CFR part 655, contact William L. Carlson, PhD, Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, ETA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room C-4312, Washington, DC 20210; Telephone (202) 693- 3010 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone number above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877- 8339.