DHS: Dairies Can Hire H-2A Workers
- ZISK APP
- 7 minutes ago
- 1 min read
WASHINGTON (DTN) -- New guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor clarifies that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not reject H-2A petitions from dairy operations when they can demonstrate a qualifying temporary or seasonal labor need under existing law.
According to a Wednesday evening announcement, "dairying is an agricultural activity eligible for consideration under the H-2A program and recognizes that dairy operations may experience temporary or seasonal labor needs that qualify for H-2A employment."
USCIS will evaluate whether an employer's need for workers is temporary or seasonal, just as it does for any other H-2A employer and will evaluate requests individually. The policy does not create a new visa category or expand H-2A eligibility by statute. Instead, it changes how existing law is interpreted and applied for dairy operations, taking effect June 17.
6/18/26
