AmericanHort joined allied organizations in urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to address delays in the Department of Labor's (DOL) processing of H-2A applications and visas amid the ongoing government shutdown. The letter highlights the need to restore normal operations to prevent further disruption to the agricultural workforce.
"Dear Director Vought,
"Given the persistent challenges associated with the lapse in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that do not show signs of relief in the near term, we write with an urgent request that the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) processing of H-2A labor certification applications be considered an activity essential to protect property pursuant to 31 U.S.C. ยง 1342. The H-2A application process is lined up to meet harvest windows and it needs to begin approximately 60 days prior to the start date. With many important regions scheduled to begin harvest next month, we emphasize the importance of a swift solution.
"Representing grower associations and agribusinesses across the country, we have a crisis mounting with the recent pause in H-2A processing. Our members produce highly perishable, nutritious food and plants that are labor intensive and require timely attention to prevent waste, grocery produce shelves deficiencies, and farmers facing additional financial woes. As growers across the country quickly shift into peak production seasons, they rely on H-2A guest workers to fulfill labor needs left unfilled by our domestic workforce.
"Florida growers, for instance, face potentially significant crop loss with any further delays in H-2A certifications. From fall to spring, South Florida producers alone supply fresh produce to 150 million people, primarily in the Eastern United States. If DOL does not quickly resume certifying H-2A applications, 40% of Florida's annual H-2A workforce may not arrive in time for harvest. If the shutdown lasts through November, it may be February before workers arrive. For Florida's fruit and vegetable growers, that's simply too late.
"Another example is in Yuma, Arizona, which is moving into its peak winter lettuce season. Yuma growers produce over 90% of the U.S. lettuce supply in the winter. These farmers rely on H-2A workers to fulfill the nation's supply of food, and there is a very limited window to solve this problem.
"While these instances exemplify the most pressing need, we are also concerned that the ever-growing backlog created by the ongoing shutdown will result in delays for an even broader swath of growers across the country with start dates further into 2026. As you know, the agricultural industry is a major economic driver and plays an indispensable role in feeding the nation with American-grown produce during important production seasons that are dictated by weather and other growing conditions outside of human control. The sheer amount of food loss and supply disruption that will result from any further delay in H-2A process meets the threshold and warrants emergency action.
"We urge the Office of Management and Budget to take immediate steps to authorize USDOL to continue processing H-2A labor certifications, even while the shutdown persists. Doing so will protect vital U.S. agricultural production from potential crop loss and the ensuing financial harm to farmers.
"Thank you for your attention to this urgent and crucial matter."
The letter is signed by AmericanHort, International Fresh Produce Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Potato Council, North American Blueberry Council, Northwest Horticultural Council, U.S. Apple Association and Western Growers.
The letter can be read at the link here.
For more information
:
AmericanHort
www.americanhort.org