H.R. 1891: Moving H–2A to United States Department of Agriculture Act of 2025

This bill, titled the "Moving H–2A to United States Department of Agriculture Act of 2025," proposes to change the administration of the H-2A visa program, which allows foreign agricultural workers to work temporarily in the U.S., from the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of Agriculture. The main points of the bill are as follows:

Key Amendments

• The current responsibility of overseeing the H-2A program, which is outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, will shift from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture.
• Additionally, the role of the Attorney General in this context will transition to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Implementation Timeline

• The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.
• Once enacted, the Secretary of Labor will be required to facilitate the transfer of all necessary personnel, funding, and resources to the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure the smooth transition of the program's administration.

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to centralize the administration of the H-2A program within the Department of Agriculture, which is thought to be better aligned with agricultural and farming needs. This transition may streamline processes for agricultural employers who rely on seasonal foreign labor.

Impact on Program Administration

By moving the program under the Department of Agriculture, the intent is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of how temporary agricultural workers are hired and managed. This could involve adjusting the application processes, labor conditions, and compliance requirements as they pertain to agricultural employers and the hired workers.

Relevant Companies

• MONS (Monsanto Company): As a significant player in the agricultural sector, Monsanto may be impacted by changes in labor sourcing and availability of agricultural workers under the new administration.
• CAG (ConAgra Brands): This food processing company may also be affected by alterations in regulations and processes relating to labor for agricultural production.
• DVN (Devon Energy): Although primarily an oil and gas company, Devon Energy operates in agricultural lands and may experience implications due to changes in land management and labor associated with agriculture.