LACEY, WA — The Worker and Farmer Labor Association (WAFLA) today expressed support for Chairman G.T. Thompson’s legislation to modernize the H-2A agricultural guestworker program.

“For Washington agriculture and producers across the country, access to a stable and legal workforce is essential,” said Enrique Gastelum, CEO of WAFLA. “This proposal reflects a clear understanding of the challenges farmers face and offers practical reforms to make the H-2A program more workable and sustainable.”

The legislation would update the program to better align with modern agricultural operations by allowing contracts of up to 350 days and accommodating agriculture’s year-round labor needs, expanding the definition of agricultural work to include key supply chain functions such as processing, packing, and transportation, and improving access to labor across a broader range of activities.

It also includes provisions to streamline the application process through faster federal timelines, multi-year certifications, and a single online platform—reducing delays and administrative burdens for employers.

“Through my work with growers across the region, I consistently hear how labor challenges affect both daily operations and long-term planning,” said Adrian Roozen, WAFLA Board Chair. “This legislation reflects those realities and provides the kind of flexibility and predictability agriculture needs to remain viable.”

The proposal also establishes a more structured and predictable wage framework with clear guardrails on year-over-year changes while maintaining important worker protections, including housing standards and heat illness prevention requirements.

“This legislation addresses long-standing challenges with the H-2A program—including delays, inflexibility, and outdated definitions,” said Scott Dilley, WAFLA Public Affairs Director. “It’s a practical step forward that improves how the program functions while maintaining core protections for workers.”

WAFLA emphasized that timely action is critical as labor shortages continue to threaten the stability of agricultural operations.

“We thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership in pulling together a bipartisan solution. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass these reforms,” Gastelum said. “Agriculture cannot afford further delays in modernizing the H-2A program.”