WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced a suspension of enforcement regarding the Biden Administration’s 2024 farmworker rule. The decision aims to provide clarity and stability for American farmers navigating the H-2A agricultural worker program, as legal battles around the rule create operational challenges.
Federal court injunctions have previously halted the rule’s implementation, causing uncertainty and inconsistency for employers reliant on the H-2A program. The department’s new guidance, issued through a field assistance bulletin, confirms that enforcement of the 2024 final rule will cease immediately. The announcement reassures agricultural employers of predictable regulatory oversight while litigation unfolds and as future regulatory options are reviewed.
The guidance does not alter existing regulations or the Wage and Hour Division’s authority to enforce pre-2024 H-2A program requirements. It also supersedes any conflicting directives to enforcement staff, ensuring statutory and regulatory consistency.
The Department of Labor’s decision reflects ongoing efforts to balance operational needs for farmers with the broader goal of strictly enforcing U.S. immigration laws, a commitment underscored by President Trump’s administration.
For additional inquiries, the Wage and Hour Division continues to offer support through its hotline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), ensuring both workers and employers have access to necessary information and assistance.
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