By Clint Thompson
Fruit and vegetable growers should be aware that access to workers in the H-2A program is being delayed.
John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, acknowledged that H-2A processing delays are currently being experienced.
“What we’re seeing are some challenges with the program and getting folks in on a timely manner,” Hollay said. “We really think it’s because of a number of different reasons. There’s not like one single thing that’s causing it. We are definitely seeing some challenges, and it’s not across the board. Some people are not having issues, but some people are having whole contracts held up. It’s a number of different reasons and it’s occurring at a number of different steps in the process.”
Program Specifics
The H-2A program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agents who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. According to American Farm Bureau, more than 400,000 H-2A positions were requested in FY 2025. Almost half of the certifications occurred in just five states, including Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
“You’re seeing an increase in the usage of the program that has gone up significantly. We had a report from the Department of Labor at our annual meeting in February that they were seeing numbers increasing of about 30% at that point in the year of program usage,” Hollay said. “You have that. You have the additional screening requirements that the Trump Administration has put in place for all visa categories and then you even have more advanced screening for those who are CDL drivers. We are seeing some of that enhanced screening that is supposed to be only for CDL positions being applied to other drivers, equipment operators and even those folks that are not driving at all.
“You have a number of those problems that have caused delays as well. We’re seeing a series of challenges that are straining the program.”