​A Kentucky Tradition

            There is always the option of hiring migrant workers. For most farmers that grow more than 30 acres of tobacco migrant workers are a must have. Many migrant workers are working here illegally and a farmer can get in serious trouble, possibly a felony, for hiring these illegal immigrants. There are many farmers that take the chance and hire them anyway but the farmers I know that use them hire them legally by going through the H-2A program. The H-2A program is the process taken for the hiring of foreign temporary agricultural workers (“H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers” 2014). The H-2A program process requires 3 major steps. First the farmer must submit a temporary labor certification application to the United States Department of Labor. The Department of Labor must grant a farmer the temporary labor certification for H2A workers before the next step can be started. Next, the employer must file Form I-129 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Form I-129 is filled out by the employer for the petition of foreign workers. The final step of the H-2A process is the foreign workers must apply for a visa to get in the US and apply for admission into the H-2A program. After all these steps are taken the employer will be able to hire migrant workers.

            Although the H-2A program seems simple many farmers will not participate in the program. Some farmers stereotype migrant workers as farmhands who don’t do quality work. Around my hometown there are farmers who have hired migrant workers and they didn’t take pride in their work and cost the farmer lots of money. There are also farmers I know who have had very good luck with the workers and said they do very good work. Just like everything the bad puts an ugly name on the good. Also, I have talked to farmers who said the process is very long and stressful. A tobacco producer from my hometown said the USCIS didn’t get back with him when they were supposed to and he was worried that he wouldn’t get the help in time for cutting season in August. They eventually got back with him and the workers arrived on time, but said it was extremely stressful not knowing if the workers would be there on time or not. Another concern farmers have is not knowing the individuals who will be working for them. The biggest concern they have is whether the workers are honest people or not. My cousin has 2 migrant workers that help him in tobacco and his wife and kids also help. Many people would have a concern with having people they don’t know if they can trust or not around their family and personal belongings. My cousin requests the same 2 workers from the USCIS every year because he knows they are good employees and trustworthy; but many farmers are too intimidated by the fact of having employees, from another country, who are not fluent in English, work on their farm.