Louisiana’s crawfish industry feels the pinch of limits on foreign workers

CROWLEY, La. (AP) — Louisiana officials warn that the state’s $300 million crawfish industry faces dire economic consequences because of a shortage of temporary seasonal workers via the H-2B visa program. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said that at least 15 of the state’s 20 processors received none of the H-2B workers they applied for. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the visas later this year than they have in the past. It was so late that Louisiana’s crawfish season had already begun. Many producers say their applications were denied. Louisiana Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have pressed DHS and the Department of Labor for a solution.