May 10, 2016

Western Growers applauds USCIS streamlining of H-2A processing

While in Washington, D.C. for the Association’s Annual Board Fly-in, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif has released a statement on the announcements made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to streamline the H-2A application process:

“Yesterday’s announcements are welcome news for our members who are now being forced to rely on the H-2A Program. Coincidentally, the announcements come at a time while our members are in our nation’s capital to engage with members of Congress, their staffs and agency officials on issues of importance to them and their businesses. High on the list of those issues is simplifying the H-2A Program.

“Just last month, our Chairman and members of our board met with officials from each of the processing agencies to hear our concerns and solutions. We greatly appreciated their willingness to do so and are very pleased that they heard us.

“Western Growers looks forward to continued engagement with USCIS, DOS and the U.S. Department of Labor as we continue to press them on implementing our other recommended streamlining measures so that our farmers can continue to provide citizens of the U.S. and the world with the freshest and best produce on the planet.”