Despite Trump immigration policy changes, experts say the H-2A program is on solid footing
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Farming is tough, demanding work — something Aaron Brand knows all too well. The owner and operator of Brand Farms in Farmington, Minn., says these days, it’s been harder to find labor.
“I’ll put a job out there, this is before I got into the H-2A program, saying that I need help picking apples. Crickets. Nobody wants to do that kind of work,” he said.
Brand is one of about 400 farmers in Minnesota who currently depend on the H-2A visa worker program, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The program allows him to hire temporary migrant workers from southern Mexico to help with operations.
“The pruning in the orchard, weeding in the sunflowers, picking apples in the fall, packing apples in the fall, getting stuff ready for sale, for markets and stuff. That’s the reason that I ended up moving to this, because it was a guaranteed labor source that wasn’t going anywhere,” Brand said.
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The 240-acre farm has been passed down through four generations and is home to cows, hens, apples and pumpkins.
The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific requirements to bring foreign workers to the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs.
Amid widespread changes to immigration policies, the program so far remains unaffected by President Trump’s recent orders and reforms.
Mary Garcia is the foreign labor supervisor at DEED and says she’s not worried about the future of the program. Unlike other programs, she says H-2A is tied directly to food security.
“I don’t think there’s any way around it. Unless we’re all ordered to go out into the fields and do it ourselves,” she said.
Garcia says there’s been a significant increase in applications in the H-2A program year over year. With 350 applications in 2022, to about 500 in 2024.
The program isn’t the cheapest solution for farmers and that’s been a challenge for many who rely on it. They’re required to pay for flights and transportation, housing, meals, as well as pay the workers, who in return, earn a living to provide for their families back home.
Brand says the workers are paid around $18.25 an hour, plus over time. He says everything adds up, but it’s worth it and he doesn’t have many options.
“I definitely would not be able to harvest all the fruit I have. I definitely would not be able to work with the school districts that I work with, just because I just can’t find enough staff to work on that backside of the business to help prepare for harvest,” Brand said.
Loan Huynh is an immigration attorney at Fredrikson and Byron in Minneapolis who helps employers hire people through the H-2 visa program.
She says she’s noticed a growing demand for year-round workers.
“They will sponsor these individuals for lawful permanent resident status. It’s a huge investment for them in terms of legal costs and filing costs and I have seen an increase year after year,” she said.
It’s unclear right now if the program will see changes.
At his farm, Brand says the workers are like family.
“It’s really tough to say goodbye that final time before they head to the airport and give the hugs and handshakes and stuff, and then to turn your back, it’s tough,” he said.
He’s eagerly awaiting the return of five workers in the spring. They’ll stay through November and if things stay the same and come back the following April.
