Earnings differentials between H-2A and unauthorized citrus harvesters in Florida

Abstract

The H-2A temporary agricultural workers visa program is a federal program allowing agricultural employers to bring in foreign workers on a seasonal basis. The extent to which H-2A workers earn more compared to their domestic unauthorized counterparts is of interest for both producers and workers. Using novel data on citrus harvest workers in the state of Florida, we estimate hourly earnings differentials by legal status using Classical and Bayesian inference. Findings suggest that participation in the H-2A program is associated with 18–23% higher hourly earnings for migrant harvesters in Florida after controlling for observable demographic and work-related variables.

Keywords

• citrus
• earnings differentials
• farm workers
• Florida
• guest workers
• H-2A workers
• unauthorized workers
• Q12
• J23
• J43
• Q18
• J61