The Trump administration discussed easing restrictions around undocumented farm labor during an April 10 cabinet meeting. Trump suggested that a new program could help legalize farm workers and reduce the risk of farmers losing undocumented workers to mass deportations.

A January USDA Farm Labor Survey indicated around 42%, approximately 500,000, of agricultural workers are undocumented. Farmers have turned to H-2A programs to attract legal labor to fill 384,000 positions. However, these workers are considered temporary. This makes the program challenging for livestock farmers.

Farm groups have been requesting that Congress pass legislation that would allow year-round guest workers for several years. Some bills included provisions that would legalize farm workers in the country. In 2021, the House passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, but it stalled in the Senate.

Trump signed an executive order that requires undocumented people in the country illegally to register with Customer and Border Patrol. They would be allowed to self-deport and be given a chance to return to the country legally. However, the administration is signaling a willingness to work with farmers to address the labor issue. Trump said farm workers who register would not have to leave the country immediately but could instead remain working on a farm ⏤ at least for a temporary period.

Read more about the discussion to legalize undocumented farm workers here.