In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to align state and federal tax policy on H2A labor unemployment compensation. This change will not result in a loss of benefit for farm workers or change any aspect of federal immigration policy. 


Currently, under state and federal law, H2A visa workers are not eligible to collect unemployment compensation. H2A wages have been permanently exempted from federal unemployment compensation for nearly 25 years. As such, the federal government does not require employers to withhold unemployment compensation from H2A worker paychecks. 
 
However, Pennsylvania still requires both farmers and these foreign workers to pay into the state’s unemployment fund. These workers will never be able to collect on the unemployment funds they and their employer have paid in. This is resulting in Ag industries and operations paying several thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes, and workers having a portion of their paycheck docked. 


Many Pennsylvania agricultural operations and industries depend heavily on federal H2A visa holders for seasonal and year-round labor. Those working in Pennsylvania’s number one industry putting food on our tables should have a clear, consistent tax policy in place.
I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation