Supreme Court·Oral argument
Update: Justices appear split in Sun Valley Orchards case on whether Labor can fine an H-2A farm without going to federal court
The Supreme Court heard argument Tuesday in Department of Labor v. Sun Valley Orchards, where the department ordered a New Jersey farm that brought in 96 H-2A workers in 2015 to pay $211,800 in civil penalties and $344,945.80 in back wages, and the farm argues such fines must be pursued in federal court, the Washington Examiner reported. The justices appeared split over whether the immigration side of the program lets the department handle penalties in-house, with Justice Elena Kagan calling it "essentially ... a kind of visa fraud or immigration fraud." The argument closed the Court's two-week sitting; the next arguments begin Nov. 30, and a ruling is due by the end of June 2027.
Sources
- Washington ExaminerSupreme Court grapples with Labor Department case involving migrant worker fines