Trump Revises H2A Program to Cut Farm Labor Costs

The Trump administration has revised its H2A visa program to reduce labor costs for farmers hiring temporary foreign workers, a move aimed at addressing acute shortages in the agricultural sector exacerbated by intensified immigration enforcement. The changes, implemented in October and taking effect for new hires this year, adjust wage calculations based on skill levels and allow employers to include housing and certain benefits in compensation packages, potentially lowering hourly rates by one to seven dollars depending on the state and occupation.

Federal officials have acknowledged the policy's role in mitigating disruptions. In a regulatory filing, the Department of Labor stated that the "near total cessation of the inflow of illegal aliens combined with the lack of an available legal work force" has threatened agricultural production and the stability of domestic food supplies. The department estimated that stepped-up enforcement could eliminate up to 225,000 farm workers nationwide. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins described the revisions as essential reforms, saying in a statement, "The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing...