The H-2A visa scheme offers a legal pathway for Guatemalan workers to find temporary farm employment in the United States. With approximately 30 registered recruitment companies in Guatemala facilitating these visas, the program enables around 5,000 Guatemalans annually to work legally in the U.S., contributing significantly to their home country’s economy through remittances. Despite the benefits, challenges such as scams and potential rights weakening under political shifts loom over these workers.
Sandra Noemi Bucu Saz is one of the many Guatemalans who have utilized the H-2A visa, allowing her to earn $19 per hour in the U.S.—a stark contrast to the $10 per day she could earn in Guatemala when work is available. Her story underscores the economic disparity and the driving force behind this migration. However, the path is not without its pitfalls; Sandra and her sister fell victim to a $2,000 scam while attempting to secure a visa.
"They paid us $19 (£15.60) an hour,"
- Sandra Noemi Bucu Saz
"We were asked to pick seven boxes per hour, and if we picked more, then we got paid a bit extra."
- Sandra Noemi Bucu Saz
Guatemala has seen a significant rise in remittances, with $19.8 billion received in 2023 alone, as reported by the Inter-American Development Bank. These funds are crucial for many families, enabling them to afford necessities and education, as highlighted by Héctor Benjamín Xoc Xar. He managed to fund his daughter's final year of accountancy studies thanks to his earnings from the U.S.
"Before I got this work it looked like my daughter wasn't going to be able to finish her final year studying accountancy because we couldn't afford it, but now I've managed to pay for her and she's working as an accountant."
- Héctor Benjamín Xoc Xar
The Pew Research Center estimates that over 675,000 undocumented Guatemalans reside in the U.S., reflecting both the demand for work opportunities and the risks involved in unauthorized migration. The H-2A visa offers a safer alternative, albeit limited in scope compared to the total number of Guatemalan migrants.
The U.S. government funds recruitment companies under the H-2A scheme, ensuring that workers receive legitimate job offers and fair wages. Ms. Ochoa emphasizes the importance of genuine contracts and salaries for these workers.
"For us, it's really important that we make a good contact between businesses and the workers, and that the salaries and contract they are offering are real."
- Ms Ochoa
Despite political uncertainties under President Donald Trump's administration, Vanessa García of the Juan Francisco Garcia Comparini Foundation remains optimistic about the continuation and potential growth of the H-2A visa program. Her foundation assists about 200 Guatemalans annually in securing these visas.
"I think that the opportunities for Guatemalans to get an H-2A visa will continue and perhaps even grow,"
- Vanessa García
"I am not worried, and I think this is a great opportunity for workers."
- Vanessa García
The foundation plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between Guatemalan workers and U.S. employers, ensuring that economic opportunities are accessible without the threat of exploitation.