Hyde-Smith: Speed up H-2A processing

This press release from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) was published on 2026-09-10 and titled "Hyde-Smith: Speed up H-2A processing".

Hyde-Smith: Speed up H-2A processing

Hyde-Smith: Speed up H-2A processing Wednesday, May 20, 2026 CG46414 Thursday, September 10, 2026 The Fence Post Hyde-Smith: Speed up H-2A processing Hagstrom Report Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., on Tuesday told Labor Department Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling that the Labor Department needs to speed up the processing of the H-2A visas that bring foreign agricultural workers into the country. At a Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review President Trump’s request for the fiscal year 2027 Labor Department budget, Hyde-Smith said, “In Mississippi, I am hearing from so many that, also like the H-2B workers, we can’t get our H-2A visas. We can’t get them processed, and specifically this year, we saw considerable delays. The agricultural society really needs your help on that because crops do not keep and we have a job to feed this country. It’s very critical. It’s just the demand is growing, you know, for more of these workers. So, I’m really interested in what you were saying about the office of immigration policy.” Sonderling said the budget request includes resources to reorganize the Office of Foreign Labor Certification into an independent agency rather than an office within the Employment and Training Administration, Hyde-Smith noted. “I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for our growers to have a workforce that can actually pick these American crops and continue with the demand not only here in the United States but exporting our produce across the world,” Sonderling replied, Hyde-Smith added. Sonderling assumed the position of acting Labor secretary after President Trump fired Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Issues Agriculture Border Security & Immigration Jobs and Economy Rural Communities Region Capital Coast Delta East Central Golden Triangle North Mississippi Pine Belt Southwest