Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Program

Federal regulations mandate that American Job Centers provide the same level of services to Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers as are provided to all other job seekers.

The Migrant & Seasonal Farm Worker (MSFW) regulations and the Monitor Advocate System were established by USDOL to counter the impact of chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by those primarily employed in agriculture and to carry out the requirements of the Judge Richey Court Order .  

The Richey Order provided a framework to ensure MSFW’s receive services that are qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate to the services provided to all other job seekers, as well as to ensure the provision of these services and other protections are monitored regularly.  The order also mandated the inclusion of a complaint resolution system.

Purpose of the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program:

  • Conduct outreach to MSFWs at their working, living, and gathering places.
  • Introduce and encourage participation in employment services including training.
  • Improve access to a variety of services and programs such as health care.
  • Promote the Agricultural Recruitment System for U.S. workers, which connects job seekers who need employment to employers who need workers.
  • Provide education and advocacy.
  • Partner with other agencies and organizations serving MSFWs.
  • Facilitate access to the ES and ES-Related Law Complaint System:  Complaint Poster - English | Complaint Poster - Spanish.
For further information, please feel free to call or email.

Related Resources

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How to Handle an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Action at Your Workplace:

Understanding the Law, Rights, and Responsibilities of Employers and Workers

CT Department of Agriculture and CT Department of Labor welcomed Attorneys Bob and Emily Noonan at a virtual discussion designed to help employers prepare for an ICE enforcement action at their farm, greenhouse, restaurant, job site, or shop. 

Topics include: 

  • The acceleration of ICE enforcement: What is going on?
  • Understanding ICE enforcement practices (raids, audits, searches/seizures)
  • The two key decisions that should be made before ICE appears
  • Developing the essential elements of an “ICE Enforcement Plan”
  • What your point-person should say and do when ICE arrives
  • How to analyze ICE search warrants
  • What not to do during an ICE enforcement action at the workplace
  • Post-ICE visit: Finding the whereabouts of any detained employees
  • Asset seizures

Webinar Password: Agriculture25!

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