Georgia Judge Halts Implementation of Farm Worker Rule

With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I’m Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.

In recent news, a Georgia judge is having an impact on H-2A visa rules. GPB News is now reporting that a federal judge in Georgia has temporarily halted the implementation of a new Department of Labor rule aimed at expanding protections for seasonal farm workers. The rule was designed to address violations under the H-2A visa program. In response, 17 states challenged the rule, arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution and grants excessive power to the Department of Labor.

The judge ruled that the Department of Labor exceeded its authority, and the rule's implementation will be paused in the suing states. The ruling has sparked concern among worker advocacy groups, who argue that it undermines protections for vulnerable farm workers. The Department of Labor has requested the court reconsider the injunction, citing the potential negative impact on worker rights. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/f9VqQ

From Bloomberg Law News, the Biden administration is pressing the federal court to reconsider how broadly this preliminary injunction applies . Learn more: https://shorturl.at/Vgiy7