Farmers Want Changes to Make H-2A Visa Program More Favorable to Their Businesses — ProPublica
ProPublica — 2026-07-22 04:00:00 — www.propublica.org
President Donald Trump’s second term has brought significant changes to the H-2A visa program, a system that allows U.S. farmers to hire foreign agricultural workers. At a recent farmers’ conference in Savannah, Georgia, industry advocates predicted that Trump could “profoundly” change the program, making it easier for farmers to hire H-2A workers and pay them less. In the months that followed, the Trump administration moved quickly to deliver on these expectations.
Trump Administration Moves to Weaken Worker Protections
Five months after Trump took office, his administration suspended enforcement of a rule enacted by President Joe Biden that granted H-2A workers certain union protections, including safeguards against unfair treatment by employers. The administration then proposed to rescind parts of the rule, a move that is still pending. These actions came after industry pressure and ongoing lawsuits aimed at overturning the worker protections, with advocates arguing that such rules made it harder for farmers to run their businesses.
Wage Cuts for H-2A Workers
Another major change under Trump was a reduction in the hourly pay rate for H-2A workers. After months of lobbying from the agriculture industry, the administration implemented a pay cut expected to save farmers more than $2 billion a year. According to the Economic Policy Institute, these savings are projected to cost H-2A workers up to 32% of their annual wages.
Industry Push for Further Changes
Legal strategists at the conference highlighted recent Supreme Court decisions that limit federal agencies’ regulatory powers, making it easier for employers to challenge longstanding regulations. These legal shifts, they argued, could pave the way for further rollbacks of worker protections in the H-2A program.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s actions have prioritized the financial interests of U.S. farmers over the protections of foreign agricultural workers. By suspending worker protections and cutting wages, the administration has responded to industry demands at the expense of some of the most vulnerable workers in the country. As legal and legislative battles continue, the future of the H-2A program—and the balance between farm profitability and worker safety—remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/h-2a-farmworker-protections-profits-trump