Great news for growers and FLC’s who rely on H-2A workers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s updated shutdown plan confirms that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will continue processing H-2A temporary labor certification applications during the lapse in appropriations.

Along with some of our closest association allies, we sent a letter last week to the Administration to advocate for reopening the processing of H-2A petitions during this ongoing lapse in appropriations, also known as the government shutdown. As a direct response to that letter, we secured a meeting with senior officials in the Administration to outline our chief concerns and highlight the challenges to farmers this ongoing pause in H-2A processing is causing. In that meeting, we were asked for data on estimated farm losses due to the associated challenges with delays in H-2A processing. We reached out to our membership for quick data and feedback, and you delivered!  We believe the information that you provided was critical in the favorable decision made by the Administration. We also reached out to allied associations to assist with data gathering and we thank them for their efforts. 

For reference, see page 18 of DOL’s October 31, 2025, contingency plan noting that OFLC “will process prevailing wage determinations and labor certification applications.” We understand that OFLC will likely restart resume processing H-2A labor certifications sometime next week. OFLC needs time to ship equipment back to remote employees and issue official “essential” worker notices before staff can resume work.  

Members with questions about OFLC’s resumption of H-2A applications should contact the Western Growers H-2A Services Team.