Republicans want changes to popular visa for farm laborers : NPR

Key Points:

• The Trump administration prioritizes immigration enforcement, but some moderate Republicans and agricultural employers advocate expanding the H-2A visa program to address farm labor shortages, particularly for seasonal and temporary workers.
• The H-2A visa program has grown significantly since 2012, but farmers seek changes to include year-round industries like dairy and livestock, and to allow some currently unauthorized workers access, amid concerns about rising labor costs and worker availability.
• Labor groups and conservative opponents criticize the H-2A program for potential worker exploitation and oppose expansion without a pathway to legalization, fearing it may undercut domestic workers and lack sufficient protections.
• House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson introduced a bill to expand H-2A visas by removing seasonal restrictions, extending eligibility to more sectors, and providing a process for some unauthorized workers to participate, though it does not offer legalization.
• The bill faces uncertain prospects in Congress, with key Judiciary Committee leaders noncommittal and Senate inaction, as lawmakers balance demands for border security with agricultural labor needs amid divided political and ideological views.