The U.S. Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to every individual within the United States. It is imperative that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Historically, Missourians and migrant workers have collaborated in agricultural labor, such as apple harvest. This cooperation offers significant opportunities for our agricultural industries and farming families by addressing the need for difficult-to-fill farmhand positions.
To foster a more structured and beneficial approach, I propose that a “Migrant Worker Visa” program be established. This program would enable migrants to legally work on Missouri farms during crop seasons and provide year-round farmhand support for livestock farmers, with an option for renewal annually.
Such a program would provide a much-needed labor source for Missouri farm families. Furthermore, it would generate revenue as migrant workers would contribute to local economies through purchases from retailers, thereby increasing tax revenue for Missouri’s rural counties, cities, towns, and farming communities. Income tax collected from these workers could be directed into the Social Security trust fund. I propose that migrant workers under this program would not be eligible for U.S. Social Security benefits and would be responsible for arranging their retirement plans independently within their home countries.
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