U.S. Supreme Court Appears Split on Migrant Labor Dispute
Justices weighed whether labor officials may impose $550,000 in penalties through agency tribunals or must bring H-2A disputes to federal court.
- On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Department of Labor v. Sun Valley Orchards, a case challenging whether federal agencies or courts should adjudicate migrant farm worker disputes under the H-2A visa program.
- The Labor Department previously fined the New Jersey farm more than $550,000 for allegedly failing to provide adequate housing, fair pay, and safe transportation to 96 foreign workers hired in 2015.
- Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued Congress authorized the secretary of labor to "impose" monetary remedies, while attorney Robert Johnson claimed the system violates Seventh Amendment jury trial protections.
- Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett expressed caution regarding broad agency authority, while Justice Elena Kagan emphasized the case's connection to immigration policy.
- The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling by June or July 2027, potentially clarifying whether the government can continue using in-house tribunals for civil penalties in agricultural worker cases.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Supreme Court to decide if federal agency can impose fines without going to court
The Justice Department warned the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the entire system of federal administrative fines could topple if the justices rule that the Labor Department can't unilaterally assess fines on employers who abuse the farm worker guest program.
U.S. Supreme Court appears split on migrant labor dispute - The Daily Bo Snerdley
(The Center Square) — U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared divided on Tuesday over whether administrative agencies or federal courts should adjudicate migrant farm worker disputes. The high court heard arguments in U.S. Department of Labor v. Sun Valley Orchards, a case challenging a more than $550,000 fee against a New Jersey farm for allegedly not providing required amenities to migrant farm workers as part of the H-2A visa program. The H-2A v…
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The Epoch Times
The Constitution StudySupreme Court to Hear Case on Agency Power to Penalize Farms That Violate Worker Conditions
After limiting the SEC’s use of in-house courts, justices will now consider whether the same logic applies to agricultural visa enforcement.
US Supreme Court weighs limits of federal agency powers in farmworker rights case
The US Supreme Court's conservative wing on Tuesday sounded skeptical of the US Department of Labor's power to impose fines for violations of a farmworker visa program through its own administrative process rather than in court, in a case that could further pare back the powers of federal agencies.
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