GOP Lawmaker Questions Secretary Rollins on Immigration Policy for Agriculture Labor

Trade Assistance for Farmers

• 🎯 Farmers and exporters are experiencing business losses and contract cancellations due to trade uncertainty and reciprocal tariffs.
• ⚠️ The department is considering trade assistance programs for impacted farmers, with the goal of making them unnecessary if trade deals progress quickly.
• 👨‍🌾 The president has assured that farmers and ranchers have the administration's support, and a program will be established if needed.

Disaster Assistance for Livestock Producers

• 🐄 Central Valley dairy farmers faced significant losses in 2023 due to flooding, with $2 billion allocated for livestock in disaster relief.
• ⏳ Disaster assistance for livestock producers, which involves complex state agreements, is expected to begin distributing funds by the end of the month.
• ⏱️ The department is working to expedite the process, aiming to deliver aid as quickly and intentionally as possible to those in need.

Immigration Policy and Agriculture Workforce

• 🇺🇸 The administration prioritizes securing the border and removing criminals, while also seeking solutions for the agriculture workforce.
• 🧑‍🌾 Approximately 70% of farm workers are immigrants, with 40% being undocumented, highlighting the need for policies that support the agriculture sector's labor needs.
• 🤝 The USDA is collaborating with the Department of Labor to reform the H2A program and the broader immigration system to better serve farmers and ranchers.
• 🗣️ The president has personally emphasized the urgency of fixing the labor issue and has outlined potential solutions.

USDA Program Funding

• ❓ A question was raised regarding the allocation of funding for Regional Conservation Partnership Program contracts supporting dairy environmental stewardship.
• 🔍 The Secretary committed to looking into the matter and following up promptly.