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A federal judge in California on Thursday denied a request by the United Farm Workers to temporarily block the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A agricultural workers, a decision welcomed by farm groups supporting the change. The case challenges the Labor Department’s interim Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology, which affects wages for foreign farmworkers employed under the H-2A visa program.
The UFW sought a preliminary injunction and emergency stay, arguing the rule could reduce wages and harm workers. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California ruled the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate irreparable harm, saying claims of future wage losses and related hardships were largely speculative. The court also cited delays in seeking emergency relief.
The judge did not rule on the broader merits of the lawsuit, which will continue. The court also found the UFW had standing to proceed on behalf of its members.
NAFB news service
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