The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), along with the National Council of Agricultural Employers and Western Growers Association, issued a letter to the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security in December, regarding concerns over delays in the administrative processing of H-2A visas.
The letter addressed how workers are being delayed by consular administrative processing. Leaders requested that H-2A visa applications undergoing administrative processing receive priority in the review process.
“Recently, employers attempting to bring H-2A workers into the country have experienced costly delays as entire crews have been placed under administrative processing by consular officers,” read the letter, which was dated Dec. 17, 2025. “Last week, for example, a Florida employer estimated losing $25,000 in strawberries for each day its workforce remained in administrative processing.
“The Trump Administration has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring growers have reliable access to the program by implementing several key improvements, such as resuming labor certifications during the recent lapse in appropriations, streamlining petition processing and providing interview waivers for returning workers. Yet, the sudden rise in administrative processing, coupled with its prolonged delays and lack of transparency, undermine these improvements and threaten U.S. agricultural production.”
The letter added, “We recognize and support your agencies’ important functions of ensuring job opportunities are legitimate, visa applicants are both qualified and protected, and ultimately, that our nation is secure. We simply ask your departments to exercise their authority judiciously, as constant, protracted delays risk the nation’s food security and, by extension, its national security.”
The letter was signed by Mike Joyner, president of the FFVA; Michael Marsh, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers; and Dave Puglia, president and CEO of the Western Growers Association.
Click here to read the letter.