Maine Law Limiting H-2A Guestworkers Faces Appeals Court Test

A federal appeals court is considering Maine’s attempt to limit the use of foreign guestworkers in the state in a case that tests the limit of states’ powers over federal visa programs.

The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit will hear oral arguments Wednesday in an appeal from a lower court order that blocked a state law preventing H-2A agricultural guestworkers from hauling forestry products within the state.

The outcome could determine whether states can restrict the employment of people with guestworker visas that were approved by the federal government.

There aren’t currently any state laws in effect ...