Newhouse, Others Call For H-2A Applications To Continue

Sighting efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus, the U.S. government this week announced it was suspending the practice of approving visas in Mexico. That announcement is not siting well with the farming community.

On Thursday, Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers sending a letter to Secretary of State Pompeo, Homeland Security Secretary Wolf, and Labor Secretary Scalia urging support for continued processing of H-2A visa applications. The letter emphasizes the important role H-2A visa applicants play in America’s agriculture industry and outlines the lawmakers’ shared concerns that farmers will not have the labor they need to keep food on the shelves at grocery stores across the nation.

“We understand the importance of maintaining public health safety during this time and appreciate the Administration’s actions to minimize the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote the lawmakers. “However, there are substantial national security concerns that will arise should our farmers not have the labor they need.”

The letter added, “Food security is national security. We believe suspending visa services that our farmers rely on will be detrimental to families across our nation trying to put food on the table.”

Click Here to read the entire letter.

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