Mike Strain

Louisiana Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain explained to state legislators that the issue isn't a lack of eligible workers.

Crawfish peeling plants remain understaffed even with an expanded number of H-2B visas.

The visas allow U.S.

companies to hire foreign workers for seasonal agricultural jobs.

While the administration recently lifted the cap on visas by an additional 35,000, the extra visas were distributed via lottery system and only through early February, three months after crawfish season began, leaving many peeling plants at diminished capacity.

Strain says if the crawfish go unpeeled, they'll either go unconsumed or be shipped to Mexico for peeling.

For NPR News, I'm Mel Bridges in New Orleans.

Louisiana Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain explained to state legislators that the issue isn't a lack of eligible workers.

Crawfish peeling plants remain understaffed even with an expanded number of H-2B visas.

The visas allow U.S.

companies to hire foreign workers for seasonal agricultural jobs.

While the administration recently lifted the cap on visas by an additional 35,000, the extra visas were distributed via lottery system and only through early February, three months after crawfish season began, leaving many peeling plants at diminished capacity.

Strain says if the crawfish go unpeeled, they'll either go unconsumed or be shipped to Mexico for peeling.

For NPR News, I'm Mel Bridges in New Orleans.