Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr, who is also campaigning for governor, is urging the incoming Trump administration to intervene in the escalating wages for migrant farm workers. Carr’s office fears that the rising labor costs could lead to a crisis for Georgia’s farmers, threatening the state’s agricultural economy. However, labor advocates argue that migrant workers often face severe exploitation, working under dangerous conditions, and not receiving the pay they are owed.
Rising Wages and the Impact on Georgia’s Farmers
In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Labor, Carr expressed concern over the H-2A program’s wage increases. He stressed that Georgia’s farmers are struggling with the financial burden of rising wages, visa fees, and additional travel and lodging expenses for migrant laborers. “Our office’s request is to work with you and the Trump Administration to address the rising wage rate before Georgia farming simply becomes unaffordable,” Carr wrote to Brooke Rollins and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who are nominated to lead the agricultural and labor departments.
The H-2A program allows farmers to hire foreign workers for temporary agricultural jobs when there is a shortage of domestic labor. The federal government sets wages for these workers by region, often above the prevailing pay for U.S. workers to avoid undercutting American jobs. According to the U.S. Farm Bureau, the pay for H-2A workers is set to rise by an average of 4.5%. In Georgia, the increase is even steeper, with wages jumping from $14.68 to $16.08 per hour—an increase of 9.5%.
While this wage hike may benefit workers, Georgia’s farmers argue that the financial burden is overwhelming, especially when factoring in additional costs like visa processing and accommodation for the laborers. Carr’s office claims that the government lacks transparency in how it calculates these wage rates and that the rising costs could jeopardize Georgia’s agriculture sector, which contributes over $80 billion to the state’s economy.
Worker Exploitation and Unsafe Conditions
While Georgia’s farmers are concerned about the rising labor costs, advocates for migrant workers argue that the pay increases are not enough to address the underlying issues of exploitation and unsafe working conditions. Solimar Mercado-Spencer, director of the Farmworker Rights Division at Georgia Legal Services, emphasized that many H-2A workers do not even receive the wages they are promised, and often work in hazardous environments.
In 2021, a law enforcement operation known as Operation Blooming Onion uncovered widespread fraud within the H-2A program, revealing that workers were trafficked into Georgia under conditions prosecutors described as “modern-day slavery.” The workers were forced to live in overcrowded, substandard housing and endure grueling labor in unsafe conditions with little recourse for seeking justice.
Mercado-Spencer noted that many workers enter the U.S. with significant debt, having taken out loans to pay for the fees associated with securing their jobs in the U.S. These workers, mostly men from Mexico, are often unfamiliar with U.S. laws and may struggle with language barriers, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. Despite their labor, many are subjected to high fees, unsafe housing, and oppressive working conditions, leaving them with little option but to endure.
The Economics of Georgia’s Agriculture Industry
Georgia’s agricultural industry, which includes crops like peanuts, peaches, and poultry, is one of the largest contributors to the state’s economy, employing thousands of workers. As of 2022, the state’s agriculture sector was valued at $83.6 billion, with over 323,000 jobs tied to the industry, according to the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.
For Carr, the rising wages and the additional expenses tied to the H-2A program are a threat to the stability of Georgia’s agriculture sector. In his letter to the Trump administration, he underscored the link between the health of the farming industry and the broader economic security of the state and nation. “The health of our farms is directly tied to food security, national security, and economic security,” Carr wrote.
However, farmworker advocates argue that the health of the workers must also be a priority. The exploitation of migrant laborers, who often face unsafe working conditions, is a persistent issue that needs more than just wage increases—it requires a full overhaul of how these workers are treated and protected under the law.
A Divided Debate
The debate over migrant farm worker wages in Georgia reflects broader national conversations about immigration, labor rights, and the treatment of essential workers. While the state’s farmers face significant challenges from rising wages, critics argue that this should not come at the cost of neglecting the well-being of migrant laborers.
Carr’s call for intervention from the Trump administration has sparked a divisive conversation in Georgia. For some, the rising wages represent an economic burden that could harm the state’s farming industry. For others, the focus should be on ensuring that workers are paid fairly and treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the cost to the employer.
As Georgia continues to grapple with these issues, it is clear that both the agricultural industry and the migrant workers who fuel it are in need of significant reforms. Only time will tell if the Trump administration will address the concerns of both parties in a way that ensures the sustainability of Georgia’s farms and the protection of its labor force.
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