New H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates take effect August 3 (August 17 in select states), and the change catches many employers mid-season. Here's the key question answered: if the new AEWR is higher than what you're currently paying, you must raise wages immediately, even on already-certified job orders. If it's lower, the previously certified rate stands. Full breakdown of effective dates, the Big 5 vs. other-occupation rate split, surety bond impact, and California's AB 2646.

USCIS issued a new policy memo on H-2A visas for dairy operations, and the coverage has overstated what it actually does. The memo does not create a new pathway or lower the bar. It fills a gap in written guidance and standardizes how adjudicators review dairy petitions. Here is what changed, what did not, and what it means if you are considering H-2A for your dairy operation.