The H-2A temporary agricultural program has expanded significantly in recent years as U.S. producers increasingly rely on foreign labor to meet seasonal production needs. While the program is designed to provide a legal pathway for agricultural work, literature suggests that visa status alone may not be sufficient to mitigate the persistent socioeconomic vulnerabilities faced by H-2A farmworkers. This research investigates the difference in key market outcomes between H-2A and non-H-2A farmworkers, specifically focusing on weekly earnings, access to health insurance, and participation in social safety net programs.
Using data from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) spanning 1989 to 2022, this study employs multivariate regression analysis and logit models to estimate the impact of H-2A status while controlling for demographic factors, human capital, and geographic fixed effects. Preliminary results indicate a significant wage premium for H-2A workers, who earn approximately $18 more per week than their non-H-2A counterparts. However, this economic advantage does not extend to social protections; H-2A status shows no statistically significant correlation with increased health insurance coverage or public assistance programs. Furthermore, factors such as migrant status and foreign-born identity remain powerful predictors of restricted access to health and social services. By analyzing these disparities, this paper aims to assess the efficacy of current agricultural labor policies in promoting the holistic wellness of the farmworker population and identify critical gaps where the H-2A program fails to bridge the divide in non-wage benefits.