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H.R. 9535: Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026

This bill would change the rules for the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, which allows employers in the U.S. to hire foreign workers for temporary farm jobs when there are not enough available domestic workers.

Main changes to the H-2A program

It would move more of the program’s administration to the Department of Homeland Security.
It would require faster processing of H-2A applications and related agency reviews.
It would allow more streamlined joint filings by employers and more flexibility for worker transfers in certain cases.
It would create a single online system for H-2A filings, agency review, communication, fee payment, and appeals, with the goal of reducing duplicate paperwork and redundant steps.
It would prioritize visas for agricultural labor.

Worker protections and workplace standards

The bill would set or clarify housing standards for H-2A workers.
It would add heat-safety requirements for agricultural work.
It would define wages for certain purposes under the program.
It would include protections aimed at preserving worker pay and working conditions while the process is made more efficient.