The H-2A farm labor program could see growth in the coming years, but the Congressional movement is stalled as border security remains the top priority, according to Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma.
He says the Administration now has the authority to increase the number of workers allowed in the program, potentially doubling it, but it is up to the Administration to make a decision on that.
“What we have done is we have increased the Administration’s ability to add more people to the program; they get up to double that program, but it’s up to the Administration to make a decision on that. But they have that authority already. I don’t see anything moving through Congress right now on it. Quite frankly, the President’s first focus has been to secure the border, after he feels like the border is secure, and it stays secure, and everything’s in place, and all the legal challenges are finished, after that, I really think the President’s going to turn and say we got to deal with some of the other areas.”
We have previously reported that Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer says consolidating the H-2A program under one department will speed up the process and lower costs for farmers. She adds that Congress still controls visa numbers and aims to employ more American workers without replacing them.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
November 24, 2025 11:32 AM
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Farmers who rely on H-2A workers will see a few key changes to speed up the process and make it fairer. On the ground, producers say labor issues create shortfalls in otherwise productive harvests.
October 27, 2025 01:36 PM
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AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub joins us to dive into H-2A visa program changes and what can be done to ease the pressure on producers.
October 09, 2025 12:11 PM
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In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
October 02, 2025 11:20 AM
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Secretary Rollins’ plan targets high costs, labor challenges, and export growth, delivering relief at home while building markets abroad.
September 26, 2025 10:18 AM
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Farmers should anticipate continued upward pressure on farm labor costs and monitor policy changes that may further impact hiring decisions.
September 24, 2025 01:01 PM
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U.S. produce growers face a structural disadvantage—cheaper imports driving down prices while rising labor costs squeeze margins. Without new policies or technology, profitability remains uncertain.
September 23, 2025 04:09 PM
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According to the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC), President and CEO Chuck Conner says, there is only one other option besides addressing ag labor shortages.
September 18, 2025 01:10 PM
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Labor is an ongoing crisis in the ag sector. One industry group outlines three vital reforms to the H-2A visa program that farmers need to secure an affordable, stable workforce.
September 09, 2025 12:22 PM
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