How the New H-2A Integrity Fee Will Impact Polk County's Citrus Industry
Posted on November, 15th, 2025 by HVS Visa Solutions
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Polk County's citrus industry has long relied on H-2A temporary agricultural workers to meet seasonal labor demands during critical harvest periods. However, recent regulatory changes, such as the introduction of a new integrity fee by the Department of Homeland Security, are set to significantly impact how Florida citrus growers budget for and manage their workforce needs.
Understanding the H-2A Integrity Fee
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security, has implemented an integrity fee as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the H-2A program and ensure compliance with immigration standards. This fee represents an additional cost employers must factor into their seasonal workforce planning.
Citrus growers in Polk County are already facing challenges from citrus greening, rising operational costs, and market pressures. This new fee adds another layer of financial consideration to an already complex process.
The Economic Stakes: Why This Matters for Polk County
The numbers tell a compelling story about the critical importance of H-2A workers to Polk County's agricultural economy:
$304 million: The value of agricultural products sold by Polk County farms in 2022
16% of Florida's fruit, tree nut, and berry acreage: Polk County accounts for over 71,000 acres, making it the state's agricultural powerhouse
Florida leads the nation in H-2A certifications, with thousands of petitions certified annually to keep the state's agricultural GDP stable
$7 billion: The total economic impact of Florida's citrus industry on the state's GDP
These figures underscore a simple reality: Polk County's citrus industry is not just a local business—it's an economic engine for the entire region. Any disruption to the H-2A workforce pipeline directly threatens this economic contribution.
What This Means for Polk County Citrus Growers
Increased Upfront Costs
The integrity fee increases the initial investment required to bring H-2A workers to your operation. For small to mid-sized citrus growers operating on tight margins, this additional expense can impact overall profitability and workforce planning decisions.
Budget Planning Implications
Growers will need to:
- Recalculate per-worker costs to include the integrity fee alongside existing expenses like transportation, housing, and wages.
- Adjust seasonal budgets earlier in the planning cycle to account for increased regulatory costs.
- Evaluate workforce size to optimize the balance between labor needs and compliance costs.
Compliance Complexity
The integrity fee adds another component to an already intricate application process. Proper documentation, timely payment, and accurate record-keeping become even more critical to avoid delays or denials that could jeopardize your harvest timeline.
Why Polk County's Citrus Industry Is Particularly Vulnerable
Polk County is Florida's leading citrus-producing county, with thousands of acres dedicated to orange, grapefruit, and specialty citrus production. The industry's unique challenges make the integrity fee particularly impactful:
- Seasonal urgency: Citrus harvest windows are time-sensitive. Delays in securing workers due to compliance issues can result in crop loss.
- Labor intensity: Citrus harvesting remains highly labor-dependent, requiring significant seasonal workforce expansion.
- Economic pressure: The industry is already navigating disease management costs, reduced acreage, and competitive market conditions.
- Regional economic impact: With over $304 million in annual agricultural production at stake, workforce disruptions ripple throughout the local economy.
Navigating the Changes: What Growers Should Do Now
- Start Planning Early: Don't wait until harvest season approaches. Begin your H-2A application process earlier than usual to account for the additional administrative requirements and costs associated with the integrity fee.
- Ensure Complete Compliance: With increased scrutiny comes greater risk of delays or denials. Every aspect of your application—from Department of Labor labor certification to USCIS petition requirements, housing inspections to wage calculations—must meet federal standards. Small oversights can result in costly setbacks.
- Work with Experienced Professionals: The H-2A process has always been complex, involving coordination between multiple federal agencies. The addition of new fees and requirements makes expert guidance more valuable than ever. Partnering with professionals who understand both the regulatory landscape and the specific needs of Florida's citrus industry can save time, money, and stress.
How H-Visa Solutions Can Help
At H-Visa Solutions, we bring nearly two decades of government compliance experience directly to your operation. As a former Senior Federal Officer with the US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, I've investigated H-2A compliance from the government's perspective—which means I know exactly what regulators look for and how to ensure your application meets every requirement across all agencies involved.
Since founding H-Visa Solutions in 2014, we've applied insider knowledge to help employers successfully navigate the H-2A process, combining federal expertise with over a decade of practical consulting experience.
Our Turnkey Approach Includes:
- Complete application management: We handle every step of the process with both DOL and USCIS, including integrity fee compliance and documentation.
- Labor certification assistance: Ensuring your Department of Labor certification application is accurate and complete.
- USCIS petition preparation: Managing the H-2A petition process, including the new integrity fee requirements.
- Document preparation: Preparing all required forms and supporting documentation for all agencies
- Compliance guidance: Ongoing support to maintain compliance throughout the season.
- Worker recruitment coordination: Connecting you with reliable seasonal workers.
Why Polk County Citrus Growers Should Choose Us:
- Insider expertise: Nearly 20 years of combined government and consulting experience means we understand compliance from both sides.
- Multi-agency navigation: We coordinate the entire process across DOL, USCIS, and other agencies.
- Florida focus: We understand the unique needs and challenges of Florida's agricultural industry, particularly in Polk County.
- Veteran-owned: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business with a commitment to integrity.
- Proven results: Successfully helping employers navigate the H-2A process since 2014
The Bottom Line
The new H-2A integrity fee from USCIS represents an additional cost and compliance requirement for Polk County's citrus growers, but it doesn't have to derail your seasonal workforce planning. With early preparation, meticulous compliance across all federal agencies, and expert guidance, you can continue to access the reliable seasonal labor your operation depends on.
With $304 million in annual agricultural production and thousands of citrus groves at stake, Polk County cannot afford workforce disruptions. Don't let regulatory changes put your harvest—and your contribution to Florida's $7 billion citrus economy—at risk. The complexity of the H-2A process, now with additional USCIS requirements, makes professional assistance helpful and essential for protecting your investment and ensuring a successful season.
Ready to Secure Your Seasonal Workforce?
H-Visa Solutions provides comprehensive H-2A consulting services to citrus growers throughout Polk County and across Florida. Let us handle the complexity while you focus on what you do best—growing quality citrus.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you navigate the H-2A process, including the new USCIS integrity fee requirements, and ensure your operation has the workforce it needs when it matters most.
H-Visa Solutions is a Service-Disabled Veteran and Minority-Owned Small Business that provides expert H-2A and H-2B visa consulting services throughout Florida and nationwide.
John Bedell, MBA, JD
President
Direct Line: 863.269.8053
Call H-Visa Solutions at 863.644.4912 today to schedule a consultation about your company's H-2A or H-2B Work Visa needs.
H-2A Visa
An H-2A Visa is for non-immigrant workers to perform temporary or seasonal work in agriculture.
The H-2A Visa program provides an essential pathway for foreign nationals to work in the U.S. agricultural sector on a temporary or seasonal basis. This program addresses labor shortages by allowing U.S. employers to hire non-immigrant workers for agricultural tasks that cannot be filled by domestic workers. Temporary Worker Visas, like the H-2A Visa, offer a crucial solution for farms and agricultural businesses needing reliable labor during peak seasons.
To qualify for the H-2A Visa, employers must demonstrate that there are insufficient U.S. workers who are willing, able, and qualified to perform the required agricultural work. Additionally, they must show that employing H-2A workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Work Visa Consulting services can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of the H-2A application process. These experts assist both employers and workers in understanding the requirements and ensuring compliance with regulations. Agricultural Worker Visas, such as the H-2A, play a critical role in maintaining the efficiency and productivity of the U.S. agricultural industry.
H-2A Visa Information › › ›
H-2B Visa
An H-2B Visa is for temporary employment of immigrants for labor other than agriculture.
H-Visa Solutions is a veteran owned H-2B service that assists companies in the H-2N Visa Process in fullfilling their companies H-2B Visa Worker Needs. Some of the Services we Provide includes, but not limited to:
H-2B visa consultants in Florida
H-2B application help for your industry (hospitality, construction, landscaping, and so on...)
H-2B compliance monitoring services
H-2B visa application consultant in Florida
DOL H-2B compliance consultant
H-2B petition preparation services
H-2B labor certification help
As a former DOL officer providing visa consulting, Mr. Bedell has extensive experience is helping companies fullfill their H-2B Labor needs in Florida and throughout the Nation.
Read More about Our H-2B Visa Information › › ›
H-2A Visa
An H-2A Visa is for non-immigrant workers to perform temporary or seasonal work in agriculture.
The H-2A Visa program provides an essential pathway for foreign nationals to work in the U.S. agricultural sector on a temporary or seasonal basis. This program addresses labor shortages by allowing U.S. employers to hire non-immigrant workers for agricultural tasks that cannot be filled by domestic workers. Temporary Worker Visas, like the H-2A Visa, offer a crucial solution for farms and agricultural businesses needing reliable labor during peak seasons.
To qualify for the H-2A Visa, employers must demonstrate that there are insufficient U.S. workers who are willing, able, and qualified to perform the required agricultural work. Additionally, they must show that employing H-2A workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Work Visa Consulting services can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of the H-2A application process. These experts assist both employers and workers in understanding the requirements and ensuring compliance with regulations. Agricultural Worker Visas, such as the H-2A, play a critical role in maintaining the efficiency and productivity of the U.S. agricultural industry.
H-2A Visa Information › › ›
H-2B Visa
An H-2B Visa is for temporary employment of immigrants for labor other than agriculture.
H-Visa Solutions is a veteran owned H-2B service that assists companies in the H-2N Visa Process in fullfilling their companies H-2B Visa Worker Needs. Some of the Services we Provide includes, but not limited to:
H-2B visa consultants in Florida
H-2B application help for your industry (hospitality, construction, landscaping, and so on...)
H-2B compliance monitoring services
H-2B visa application consultant in Florida
DOL H-2B compliance consultant
H-2B petition preparation services
H-2B labor certification help
As a former DOL officer providing visa consulting, Mr. Bedell has extensive experience is helping companies fullfill their H-2B Labor needs in Florida and throughout the Nation.
Read More about Our H-2B Visa Information › › ›
