South SFV Today

Each year, over 250,000 migrant workers come to the United States under the H-2A visa program to work in agriculture. A recent study financed by Stanford Impact Labs aims to explore the impacts of this migration on the workers and their families left behind. The research, conducted by Stanford University professors Melanie Morten and Beatriz Magaloni, in collaboration with the King Center for Global Development, the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, delves into both economic and social effects of temporary agricultural migration.

The H-2A visa program allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire seasonal foreign workers where domestic labor is insufficient, without a cap on the number. However, it has faced criticism for binding workers to a single employer, raising vulnerabilities. The Stanford study targets first-time H-2A workers from Mexico, examining economic outcomes and how families spend their earnings.

To facilitate surveys, the research team partnered with guestworker organizations REDDES in Mexico and Wafla in the U.S. Wafla's CEO, Enrique Gastelum, stated, “There has been increasing negative press about the H-2A program...the research and surveys...ensure the researchers could hear directly from the workers entering this program.”

The study examines how family structures adapt, particularly noting that 96% of H-2A workers are men who leave their families, impacting household dynamics. Morten shared, “We’re interested in more than just wage data... how migration influences social structures, perceptions of gender roles, and long-term economic planning.”

As the study progressed, financial decisions by workers emerged as a point of interest, raising questions on future financial literacy programs for migrants. The researchers also explored the possibility of labor mobility within the U.S. agricultural sector.

Initially intended to survey workers in the U.S., logistical challenges led researchers to gather data in Mexico with REDDES's assistance. Morten and Magaloni plan to present their findings to policymakers and advocacy groups, with the potential for informed reforms in migration policy. Magaloni emphasized, “The study will be the first to provide solid data on the poverty alleviation potential of guestworker programs.”

Results are expected by July 2025. The aim is to inform better migration policies. As Morten stated, “The economic impacts of this program are significant, but the social ramifications are equally important.”

With labor migration complexities, the study offers a foundation for future decisions. Possible reforms based on empirical research could shape a sustainable and equitable system.