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That's one of the myths in this debate. There aren't a fraction of the visas and quotas available to permit an average Mexican peasant to come here legally to do farm work. It's nearly impossible to do.

It's my understanding there's no limitation on the number of H2 visas at all, so quotas aren't an issue.

Travel for the Mexican peasant, not a problem for since transportation is provided by the employer. Might be a financial problem for the employer.

Yes, it involves planning. But agriculture pursuits require long range planning. That's not a particular impediment.

Other impedimants, imo important ones, are payment of prevailing US wage rates and certification that sufficient American workers are unavailable at the prevailing rate.

That's just not reality. If people could come here legally, of course they would.

Making enough visas available is the same thing as a guest worker program. Make them available to people already in the U.S. and you'll be attacked for giving "amnesty."

"It's my understanding there's no limitation on the number of H2 visas at all, so quotas aren't an issue."

Incorrect, according to this piece.

"Then there is the H2-B visa, which was designed for seasonal agricultural workers and service industry employees but also includes minor-leaguers from foreign countries, as they work in America for set sport seasons.

These are the visas that allow American clubs to bring up players from the leagues they sponsor in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, as well as Canadian high schoolers drafted each June.

The system worked well until two years ago, when in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the government lowered the cap on the number of H2-B visas to 66,000 per year, down from more than 120,000 visas in past years."

http://www.coxwashington.com/reporters/content/reporters/stories/BC_IMMIGRATION_BASEBALL03_COX.html

But there is no reason why American teenagers couldn't do this work. After all that is the original reason for their summer vacations!!! I did it! So can they!!!

The red tape for H2's is so onerous and the restrictions so severe for both employer and employee that hardly anyone uses them, and for good reasons simply never will unless the program is reformed. Ooops, I uttered the "reform" word.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/hp/content/moderndayslavery/reports/h2a1209.html

http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_23/b3684204.htm