Glenn Thompson Introduces Bill to Expand H-2A Agricultural Visas

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson introduced a bill to expand the H-2A visa program to address critical labor shortages on U.S. farms. The shortages are largely attributed to strict border security and mass deportations under the Trump administration. The proposed legislation would remove seasonal requirements, allowing the visa to be used for up to 350 days a year, and extend access to the livestock, aquaculture, and forestry sectors.

The bill would create a process for currently unauthorized workers to enter the program, though it provides no path to full legalization. Support for the measure comes from agricultural employers and the American Farm Bureau Federation, who argue that a shrinking workforce threatens the national food supply. The U.S. Department of Labor warned that failure to provide stable, lawful labor could increase supply chain disruptions as immigration enforcement intensifies.

Opposition to the bill comes from both labor unions and conservative groups. The United Farm Workers and AFL-CIO argue that expanding the program without a pathway to legalization risks worker exploitation and the displacement of domestic workers. Meanwhile, conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation oppose the expansion and the grandfathering of illegal immigrants, claiming that uncapped visas could drive down wages for American workers. The bill currently has 50 co-sponsors and requires approval from the House Judiciary Committee to proceed.