Hearing On Immigrant Labor To Be Held In Alexandria

A Nov. 2 hearing is scheduled in Alexandria over a federal rule that some Louisiana business interests say could hurt them by driving up wages for temporary immigrant labor.

Louisiana foresters and seafood processors are among the challengers. They say the rules could boost wages as much as 83 percent for some workers in the country on temporary visas.

The rules had been set to take effect Sept. 30, but the Labor Department delayed implementation for 60 days.

Backers of the new rules want the Louisiana case dismissed or moved to a federal court in Pennsylvania that has been dealing with the issue.