Supreme Court weighs whether government can fine farm without trial

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether the Trump administration can fine a New Jersey farm, Sun Valley Orchards, over alleged poor working conditions for workers on visas without holding a jury trial.

The court does not need to decide whether Sun Valley Orchards provided unsafe working conditions. Justices are determining whether the administration can fine the farm, citing immigration policy, without a jury trial.

The Trump administration says the workers are in the U.S. as part of an immigration work program and the Labor Department should have the authority to regulate it.

“Immigration. Everyone agrees that it includes admission and exclusion of aliens. I don’t think there is any way to conceive of that right that would not also include the fact that, once someone is admitted, they can also be removed, or ruled ineligible to remain based on conditions where the government prescribes,” said Sarah Harris, U.S. principal deputy solicitor general.

Justices appeared somewhat skeptical of the government claiming immigration authority on issues far removed from entering the country.

“Once you get past entry, you’re still faced with this broad array of requirements and conditions that make it look more like a condition of employment than entry,” Justice Neil Gorsuch said.

Some justices signaled the administration could run into problems imposing penalties on U.S. companies over alleged working conditions without allowing the matter to go to court.

“Let’s just posit for now, I agree that Sun Valley could be kicked out of the program. Out of the H-2A program, and I think we agree that the aliens could be removed pursuant to our tradition without an Article 3 court. But the fines, I’m wondering if they’re different,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett said.

Justices said the court has allowed the executive branch to operate outside the court system on certain matters of public interest in the past. They also pointed out that the goal of the visa policy is to keep companies from being able to undercut the domestic labor force.

“It’s a scheme that has nothing to do with contract rights. It’s a scheme that has to do with setting up minimum standards, and setting up a parity requirement in order to protect domestic workers,” Justice Elena Kagan said.

The Supreme Court is likely to release its decision by the end of June 2027.