The Louisiana Legislature has adopted a resolution urging the United States Congress to modify the H-2A nonimmigrant visa program to alleviate the financial burdens faced by Louisiana farmers due to rising wage rates. The resolution highlights the significant increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for agricultural workers, which has risen by 25% over the past five years, placing a strain on labor-intensive industries. The resolution calls for Congress to take action to make agricultural labor more affordable and accessible, reduce regulatory compliance burdens, and rescind the current AEWR, pausing wages for H-2A workers at January 2023 levels.

Additionally, the resolution emphasizes the need for wage obligations for H-2A workers to be based solely on the Farm Labor Survey, rather than the Bureau of Labor Statistics' mean hourly wage, which can inflate labor costs due to its application to unrelated industries. The Louisiana Legislature asserts that the H-2A program is vital for the sustainability and competitiveness of American agriculture, and it seeks to implement measures that will ease the financial strain on farmers, ensuring the continued viability of agricultural operations in the state. A copy of the resolution will be sent to relevant congressional leaders and Louisiana's congressional delegation.