Business

For U.S. farmers and Mexican workers, it’s tough being legal

Jose Gill, 23, from Tamaulipas state in Mexico, is starting his second year as a guest worker at Barr Evergreens in Crumpler, N.C. His employer, Rusty Barr, pays for transportation from Mexico, housing and insurance, among other things, and must pay such workers about a third more than the state minimum wage. It's still poor by U.S. standards, but the workers say it's better than what they can find back home.

Jose Gill, 23, from Tamaulipas state in Mexico, is starting his second year as a guest worker at Barr Evergreens in Crumpler, N.C. His employer, Rusty Barr, pays for transportation from Mexico, housing and insurance, among other things, and must pay such workers about a third more than the state minimum wage. It’s still poor by U.S. standards, but the workers say it’s better than what they can find back home.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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A North Carolina farmer hires Mexican seasonal workers under the H-2A visa program -- but he says it can be costly and complicated. Other employers agree and say it is one of the programs most desperately in need of reform as Congress takes on immigration. Labor advocates say it creates a group of second-class citizens brought in for grueling labor with little protection from abuse. Satisfying both sides won’t be easy. Read the full report: U.S. farmers and guest workers pay a price to stay legal

Veteran visitor

Jorge Lopez, 27, has been coming to the U.S. as a guest worker at Christmas tree farms for seven years   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

On the job

Onesimo Hernandez, 38, front, and Alfonso Trejo, 20, are H-2A guest workers at DMG Farms in Angier, N.C.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Home away from home

Onesimo Hernandez, 38, works in tobacco production in Angier, N.C. His accommodations are paid for by his employers.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

On the road

Guest workers arrive in Vass, N.C., after a long bus ride from Mexico. Transportation from Mexico is among the costs borne by employers in the H-2A gues worker program.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Legal documents

A worker shows the documents that have made it legal for him to work seasonally in North Carolina under the H-2A guest worker program. He gets a new visa each year if he and his employer meet the requirements.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The employer

Rusty Barr owns Barr Evergreens in Crumpler, N.C. He uses Mexican workers under the H-2A visa program, but he says the costs can put him at a disadvantage with operations that use undocumented workers.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Separation from family

Julian Lopez, 44, has been coming to the United States from Tamaulipas state in Mexico as a guest worker for the past 13 years. He is often away from his family nine or 10 months each year.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Tree time

Jose Gill, 23, left, and Jorge Adrian, 27, move a tree at Barr Evergreens.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Unloading

Guest workers from Mexico unload trees at Barr Evergreens in Crumpler, N.C.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Guest workers

A row of phones in a shop in Crumpler, N.C., caters to guest workers who use them to keep in touch with their families in Mexico and transfer money back home.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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