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.
Stable small business confidence supports rural economies, but lingering cost pressures and uncertainty continue to shape farm-country decision-making.
February 16, 2026 12:03 PM
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Agriculture remains a key drag on regional growth amid weak prices and policy uncertainty.
February 12, 2026 08:00 AM
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Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.
February 10, 2026 02:27 PM
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February 09, 2026 01:24 PM
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The changing political climate in America is leading to a drop in migrant crossings near the U.S.-Mexico border, where ranchers like Dr. Mike Vickers say they witnessed horrors from death to child trafficking.
January 30, 2026 11:47 AM
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Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
January 29, 2026 06:00 AM
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RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
January 27, 2026 11:51 AM
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Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
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Moderate oil prices may ease fuel costs, but continued caution in the energy sector could limit rural economic growth.
January 22, 2026 06:00 PM
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