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August 14, 2012
08:01 PM ET
In Defense of H-2B…
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The fate of the H-2B program – practically the only legal work visa option for seasonal employees of landscape contracting, maintenance, and other non-agricultural businesses – rests in the hands of a federal district court judge in northern Florida. The judge is considering challenges against a new rule that drastically alters how H-2B wages are determined; and, a rule that would result in a sweeping program rewrite touching virtually every aspect of the program beyond wages. She has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the program rule, while Congress has temporarily delayed the wage rule. The cases are proceeding well, and positive outcomes from an employer perspective appear to have good odds. However, the litigation has been complicated by unsuccessful intervention efforts by organized labor interests, as well as government appeals.

  Financial support for the litigation is now critical as it nears the finish line.If you are currently using H-2B, or are considering using it and want the program to remain viable as a legal labor safety net, please consider supporting the litigation. For questions or details on how to help, please contact Craig Regelbrugge at the American Nursery & Landscape Association (cregelbrugge@anla.org). 
Filed under: H-2B • immigration
About the Authors
Craig Regelbrugge
Craig Regelbrugge serves as the American Nursery & Landscape Association's Vice President for Government Relations and Research. He serves in several leadership positions regarding the green industry and labor and immigration reform. He is national co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR), working to secure an affordable and legal workforce for nursery and greenhouse growers. In 2008 he was elected vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Forum, and represents agriculture and the green industry on the management team of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign.
 
 
Joe Bischoff
Dr. Joe Bischoff is ANLA's Director of Government Relations. Focused on legislative and regulatory issues connected to pest and disease management, Joe also works in collaboration with the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research arm of ANLA, to develop and implement strategies for responding to new pest and disease challenges facing the industry. He was recently appointed to the Federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC), serves on the Tier 2 Commodity Committee for the National Clean Plant Network – Fruit Trees, and is on the Research Committee of the National Ornamentals Research Site at Dominican University of California. Before joining the ANLA in February 2012, Dr. Bischoff was National Mycologist with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA.
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