Changes are coming to the H-2A labor program, and the Trump Administration hopes it will bring relief to American farmers.
In an interview with Fox Business, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer says the labor program will now be fully under her department. It’s currently under the jurisdiction of the Departments of Labor, Homeland Security, and the State Department.
Chavez-DeRemer says consolidation will make the program faster and more affordable for farmers and ranchers. She notes most of the H-2A program’s heavy lifting is determined by Congress. There are also no plans to expand the program, and she says she will not give amnesty to undocumented laborers. Instead, she’ll make it more efficient.
Another focus will be on getting more Americans working on U.S. farms. Chavez-DeRemer tells Fox that they’ll never replace an American worker, but they want to ensure farmers have the staffing they need. She says it’s now up to Congress to determine just how many visas will be allowed in the program.
ASFMRA’s Luke Worrell joined us to discuss farmland market trends, insights from the Illinois Land Values Conference, changing buyer and seller demographics, and the latest outlook on planting progress.
April 29, 2026 02:34 PM
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The Supreme Court’s ruling could affect pesticide warning claims well beyond Roundup. Richard Gupton with the Ag Retailers Association joins us to explain the importance of federal pesticide labeling standards and discuss the potential impact on the ag industry and supply chain.
April 25, 2026 07:00 PM
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Rural population growth supports long-term stability of the ag workforce.
April 25, 2026 03:11 PM
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Texas rancher says illegal border crossings have slowed significantly, with fewer encounters reported over the past year.
April 24, 2026 03:16 PM
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Processing slowdowns and invasive species add pressure during peak harvest
April 22, 2026 12:57 PM
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The Farm Monitor says Georgia farmers highlighted profitability and labor challenges during a Farm Bureau event with USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden.
April 20, 2026 02:51 PM
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