The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) says it received a response from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to a request to open certain parts of the government related to the processing of H-2A farmworker visas.
“Thanks to the efforts, data sharing and feedback of our members and agricultural labor colleagues, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification has resumed operations despite the ongoing government shutdown,” the organization says in a LinkedIn post, “We are grateful that OMB, Department of Labor and USDA understood the importance of this issue as farmers, ranchers and American consumers head towards the Thanksgiving season.”
The International Fresh Produce Association says, along with coalition partners, the organization advocated for this action in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget last week, followed by additional administration outreach, to ensure critical labor needs are met for the upcoming growing seasons.
“Though DOL needs a few days to bring shuttered processes back online, application processing is expected to begin in earnest [the week of Nov. 3],” IFPA said in a news brief on Oct. 31. “This is a welcome development for producers across the nation, helping to avoid the looming application backlogs that would have disrupted labor availability during winter and spring. By designating continued access to labor as essential, the Trump administration is setting an important precedent should similar government shutdowns occur.”
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association also expressed gratitude for the Department of Labor’s updated “Plan for the Continuation of Limited Activities During a Lapse in Appropriations.”
“This decisive action is essential for safeguarding Florida’s vital agricultural production from potential crop loss and financial hardship, while also ensuring that growers have the workforce necessary to harvest fruits and vegetables that feed Americans through the winter months,” FFVA says in a statement.
