Recruiters, employers and filing agents unite behind one standard for the H-2A and H-2B programs, and one promise to every worker who makes the trip.
November 5, 2026 (Charlottesville, VA) — Founding members today launched the Trusted Recruiter Alliance (TRA), an employer- and industry-led alliance that holds recruiters, employers and filing agents to a shared standard of ethical recruitment in the U.S. seasonal labor programs. Every worker who travels to the United States for seasonal work deserves an honest recruitment, a fair job and a voice. TRA exists to make that the rule.
Founding members include CIERTO, Labormex, másLabor, WAFLA and Western Growers. Together they recruit, employ and file for the workers who sustain agriculture, landscaping, hospitality, seafood and more. The Alliance was founded by Enrique Gastelum of WAFLA, Jason Resnick of Western Growers, Joe Martinez of CIERTO, Lydia Hock of Labormex and Tom Bortnyk of másLabor.
“The H-2 programs’ long-term viability depends first and foremost on the workers who make it all possible. We as an industry can and should raise the bar to ensure that every worker is safe, secure and treated with dignity. Ultimately, what is good for the workers is good for the businesses whose bottom line depends on them.”
— Tom Bortnyk, Founding Member and SVP & General Counsel, másLabor
Nine commitments. Shared by role.
TRA’s standard assigns responsibility to whoever holds it. Recruiters meet workers in their home communities. Employers welcome them on the job. Filing agents prepare the petitions that make it all possible. Each member commits to nine standards:
- Follow the law, and then some. The law is where TRA starts, not where it stops.
- No fees for a job. Allowed costs are explained up front and repaid when the law requires.
- The truth before travel. Clear terms, in the worker’s own language, before anyone leaves home.
- Zero forced labor. No coercion, no debt bondage, no holding anyone’s documents.
- Recruit responsibly. Know your partners, train your people, act on concerns.
- Pay and treat people fairly. What was promised is what’s delivered.
- Safe housing and travel. Safe, lawful and just as described.
- A voice for every worker. Concerns are heard, handled and never punished.
- Keep good records. Organized records and protected personal data.
Doing right by workers is good business. Workers return to, and recommend, the employers and recruiters who treat them well. Growers, retailers and buyers increasingly ask how their workers were recruited. TRA gives members a way to show them.
“The human story is powerful, and the bravery is undeniable. These workers leave their loved ones, the comfort of their homes and the security of their countries, and they place their trust in ethical employers using vetted recruiters to ensure a successful, legal process. The Trusted Recruiter Alliance exists to honor that trust.”
— Lydia Hock, Founding Member and Founder & CEO, Labormex
Open to organizations of every size
Membership is open to recruiters, employers and filing agents, from a family recruiter to a national provider. Joining takes four steps: tell TRA what you do, take an honest self-assessment, walk through it with a fellow member and keep getting better. Certified members carry the TRA Certified Member seal. To join, read the full standard or learn more, visit trustedrecruiteralliance.org or email info@trustedrecruiteralliance.org.
Founding members
- Tom Bortnyk, SVP and General Counsel, másLabor
- Enrique Gastelum, CEO, WAFLA
- Lydia Hock, Founder and CEO, Labormex
- Joe Martinez, Executive Director and Co-Founder, CIERTO
- Jason Resnick, SVP and General Counsel, Western Growers
About the Trusted Recruiter Alliance
The Trusted Recruiter Alliance (TRA) is an employer- and industry-led alliance of recruiters, employers and filing agents committed to the ethical recruitment and legal employment of international seasonal guest workers through the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. Established in 2026, TRA holds its members to nine shared commitments, including no fees for a job, the truth before travel, zero forced labor and a voice for every worker. Learn more at trustedrecruiteralliance.org.
