Navigating the H-2A Landscape: An Interview with John Bedell of H Visa Solutions

---

The citrus industry, a cornerstone of Florida's economy and a vibrant part of Polk County's identity, faces a complex and ever-evolving landscape. From climate challenges to market fluctuations, growers constantly adapt. One critical area of constant change involves the H-2A visa program, a lifeline for many agricultural businesses seeking a reliable workforce.

To shed light on the recent shifts in legislation and fees impacting this vital program, we sat down with John Bedell, MBA, JD, of H Visa Solutions. Based in Lakeland, Florida, John and his team specialize in guiding companies through the intricate H-2A and H-2B visa application and worker facilitation process, from start to finish.

Interviewer: John, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. The H-2A program is so crucial for Florida agriculture. Can you start by giving us a brief overview of what H Visa Solutions does?

John Bedell: It's my pleasure. At H Visa Solutions, our mission is to simplify the H-2A and H-2B visa process for employers. We handle everything from the initial application with the Department of Labor, through USCIS, to working with consular offices abroad, and finally, facilitating the arrival of the workers. We aim to be a comprehensive, start-to-finish partner, ensuring compliance and efficiency so growers can focus on what they do best – growing.

Interviewer: That sounds incredibly valuable. Let's dive into the recent legislative changes. We've heard a lot about new state and federal legislation. How do you see these impacting the citrus industry in Polk County and across Florida?

John Bedell: The legislative landscape is definitely shifting, and it presents both challenges and opportunities. On the state level, Florida has enacted some significant changes regarding the employment of undocumented workers. While the H-2A program specifically deals with documented temporary agricultural workers, these state laws create a heightened awareness and increased scrutiny around all aspects of agricultural labor. This means employers using H-2A need to be even more meticulous in their record-keeping and compliance to ensure they are clearly distinguishing their H-2A workforce and adhering to all regulations.

Federally, there's been ongoing discussion and some adjustments to the program itself, often aimed at protecting worker rights and ensuring fair labor practices. These changes, while important, can add layers of complexity to the application process and increase the administrative burden on employers.

Interviewer: Can you give us a concrete example of how a recent federal change might affect a citrus grower here in Polk County?

John Bedell: Absolutely. One area that's continually being scrutinized is the "adverse effect wage rate" (AEWR). This is the minimum wage that H-2A workers must be paid. There's constant pressure to adjust this rate based on surveys and economic data. When the AEWR increases, it directly impacts the labor costs for citrus growers. While they understand the need for fair wages, these increases, especially when coupled with other rising input costs, can put significant pressure on their bottom line. Growers need to factor these potential wage adjustments into their business planning.

Interviewer: That makes perfect sense regarding the AEWR. It’s a direct cost, and any increase impacts profit margins immediately. Now, let’s focus on another significant change: the new H-2A Integrity Fee. Can you explain what this fee is and, critically, how it will specifically impact citrus operations in Polk County?

John Bedell: Absolutely. This new fee is a perfect illustration of how the administrative complexity and cost of the program are escalating. The Integrity Fee, often introduced as part of broader legislation to enhance oversight and enforcement, is essentially an additional, per-worker charge that employers must pay.

The key points to understand for a Polk County citrus grower are:

It’s a New Line Item Cost: This fee, which has been set at a minimum of $250 per worker for the current fiscal year, is added on top of all the existing expenses: the Department of Labor application fees, the USCIS petition fees, the visa fees, and the transportation and housing costs.

It’s a Significant Multiplier: Citrus operations often require dozens, sometimes hundreds, of workers for a harvest season. For an average-sized grower bringing in, say, 100 H-2A workers, this fee immediately translates to an extra $25,000 in non-recoverable operational costs. That's a huge financial hit, especially for a crop like citrus that has been battling diseases like citrus greening for years.

Impact on Competitiveness: Florida’s citrus industry competes globally. Every dollar added to the cost of labor here makes Florida citrus less competitive against imports. For growers who are already meticulously tracking costs per box, this new fee represents an unforeseen increase in the total “cost of the harvest.” It could force some smaller operations, or those already on the margin due to greening, to reduce their planting, delay necessary grove maintenance, or even reconsider the H-2A program altogether.

Interviewer: So, beyond the sheer cost, does this Integrity Fee change anything operationally for the employers?

John Bedell: Operationally, it reinforces the need for absolute compliance. The fee’s intent is integrity, meaning the government will likely use the revenue to fund greater enforcement actions, audits, and investigations.

For a grower, this means:

1. Impeccable Record-Keeping: You must be able to demonstrate, at a moment’s notice, that you are fully compliant with every aspect of the program—from providing the required housing and transportation to paying the correct AEWR wage rate for every single hour worked.
2. Increased Risk of Sanctions: With more enforcement funding, the risk of an audit or investigation that results in fines or, worse, debarment from the program, is higher. The financial penalty of the fee is one thing; the penalty for non-compliance can be catastrophic.

Interviewer: Considering all these mounting costs—the rising AEWR, the new Integrity Fee, the higher general visa fees—what advice do you have for Polk County citrus growers right now?

John Bedell: The reality is that the H-2A program is becoming more expensive and more complex, but for the citrus industry, it remains the most reliable source of legal labor. The domestic labor pool for these highly demanding, seasonal jobs is simply not large enough.

My advice boils down to three points:

• Budgeting for Inflation: Treat the H-2A program costs—wages, fees, transportation—as a variable cost that is going to increase annually. Growers need to build a larger contingency into their budgets.
• Partnering for Protection: Do not navigate these complexities alone. The cost of hiring a specialized firm like ours to manage the compliance and application process is significantly less than the potential cost of an audit, fine, or application delay. We ensure every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed, mitigating the integrity risk.
• Embracing Efficiency: Growers must continue to explore efficiencies in their operations, whether that means better grove management to maximize yield, or exploring mechanization where feasible, to offset the continuously rising costs of labor. The industry has to be leaner than ever before.

The vitality of the citrus industry in Polk County is tied directly to its ability to secure a legal, reliable workforce. The Integrity Fee is a new barrier, but it is one that can be managed with professional planning and a rigorous commitment to compliance.

Interviewer: John, this has been incredibly insightful and certainly provides a clear picture of the increased financial and administrative pressures facing the Florida citrus industry in Polk County. Your emphasis on proactive budgeting and professional compliance is a vital takeaway for any grower utilizing the H-2A program.

John Bedell: I truly hope it helps. The H-2A program is a necessary tool, but it's not a static one. The growers who will succeed are those who treat the compliance process as seriously as they treat grove maintenance. We are here to ensure that the process, though complex, does not become an insurmountable hurdle.

Interviewer: That’s a powerful point. Thank you again for your time and for sharing your expertise on how these recent state and federal changes, including the new Integrity Fee, will shape the future of labor for our critical citrus industry.

John Bedell: My pleasure. We at H Visa Solutions are committed to the success of Florida agriculture.

---

We thank John Bedell, MBA, JD, of H Visa Solutions in Lakeland, Florida, for joining us and providing clarity on these challenging but crucial regulatory matters.

---

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.

---