FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2026
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Crapo Calls for Improvements to H-2A Guest Worker Program
Bicameral recommendations seek to ease strain on agricultural, livestock and dairy producers
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined a bicameral group of lawmakers in urging the federal agencies responsible for administering the H-2A agricultural guest worker program to make changes to improve its effectiveness.
In a letter to the secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), State (DOS) and Homeland Security (DHS), Crapo joined five additional Senators and 12 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to outline specific administrative steps the agencies should take to address processing delays, regulatory gaps and structural barriers that place added strain on American agricultural, dairy and livestock producers already facing a difficult economic environment.
“The H-2A program is indispensable to agriculture across the United States, from specialty crop operations to livestock and dairy producers. However, H-2A regulations have failed to adapt to the continually growing demand for these visas. Processing delays, regulatory imbalances and broader immigration challenges threaten this program’s effectiveness throughout the country – all at a time when our nation’s agricultural producers are facing significant economic hardship,” the lawmakers wrote.
“We cannot stress enough how important it is for the relevant federal agencies to consider changes to the H-2A program to better support our nation’s agricultural industry – the men and women who feed and clothe us,” they added.
In addition to Crapo, the letter was led by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi) and also signed by Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina); House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania); and U.S. Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), Austin Scott (R-Georgia), Jeff Van Drew (R-New Jersey), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), María Elvira Salazar (R-Florida), Mike Ezell (R-Mississippi), David Valadao (R-California), Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona), Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) and Richard McCormick (R-Georgia).
The letter recommends several administrative actions to address key concerns, including:
- Extending H-2A eligibility to year-round livestock, dairy, poultry and swine operations, which currently cannot access the program despite qualifying as agricultural labor under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Extending the H-2A filing window from 60-75 days to 120 days prior to a worker’s start date, contingent on the Department of State and DHS making corresponding adjustments to their own processing timelines.
- Establishing an expedited processing track at the Department of State for employers and workers with a demonstrated record of reliability.
The effort is endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Council of Agricultural Employers, National Milk Producers Federation, AmericanHort, American Soybean Association, American Sugar Cane League, National Cotton Council, USA Rice, Western Growers, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, International Fresh Produce Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, U.S. Rice Producers Association, National Pork Producers Council, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, National Pecan Federation, National Peach Council, Southwest Council of Agribusiness, Vidalia Onion Business Council, MBG Marketing, National Watermelon Association, American Sheep Industry Association, South East Dairy Farmers Association, and Cotton Warehouse Association of America.
A copy of the full letter is available HERE.
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