NCAE Welcomes Administration Action Expanding H-2A Access for Dairy Farmers, Calls on Congress to Follow President Trump’s Lead
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) celebrated President Trump’s administrative action clarifying that the dairy industry can further participate in the H-2A visa program. This long-overdue policy shift was announced in a statement from the Department of Agriculture which cited new guidance from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor clarifying H-2A eligibility for the dairy industry. This guidance marks a significant victory for dairy farmers nationwide who have struggled under the constraints of a strictly seasonal program while managing year-round operations
“This is a welcomed policy change for our dairy members, and we are hopeful it is just the beginning of continued H-2A program expansion,” said John Hollay, NCAE President and CEO. “President Trump’s administration continues to take action to provide common sense solutions for American farmers in search of legal workers at a time when U. S. workers are not willing to do the job. By opening the door for the dairy industry to take advantage of the only legal program for foreign agricultural workers, President Trump continues to move us in a direction of needed reform.”
While celebrating this major administrative victory, NCAE emphasizes that the work is just beginning. Transitioning a sector like dairy into the H-2A program will require a robust, coordinated effort across the federal government. For the H-2A program to successfully accommodate this new influx of program users, the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of State will require significant structural support and sufficient funding to ensure the program operates as intended for current and new users.
“For this expansion to succeed and the H-2A program to work as intended, our federal agencies must have the resources and regulatory structures necessary to handle the increased volume efficiently. NCAE looks forward to working with the administration and congressional leaders to ensure the H-2A program is reformed to meet the needs of all producers and that it receives the structural support required to protect our food supply chain. Furthermore, we hope this historic administrative step paves the way for further access for the dairy industry into the program, as well as parity among other vital agricultural industries, such as mushrooms, livestock, and controlled environment agriculture, who face similar year-round labor challenges and currently lack access to the program.”
“With the H-2A program now opening its doors to dairy operations, navigating the regulatory landscape will be a top priority for producers looking to utilize this benefit. NCAE stands ready to guide new dairy applicants through the complex H-2A program, offering the specialized expertise, advocacy, and compliance support needed to secure a stable workforce.”
Dairy farmers and agricultural employers interested in navigating this new landscape are encouraged to join NCAE to access exclusive compliance resources and industry-leading guidance. For more information on membership, visit ncaeonline.org.
About NCAE
Founded in 1964, NCAE is the only national association focusing exclusively on agricultural labor issues from the agricultural employer’s viewpoint.
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