We’re Pushing Back: The Trump Administration is Cutting Farm Worker Wages
The Trump administration is once again attempting to cut farm worker wages. On October 2, 2025, the Department of Labor announced a new rule that will significantly reduce wages for farm workers nationwide. Farm workers across the country could lose $3 to $5 an hour, stripping more than $2.4 billion each year from the people who put food on America’s tables. Here is a sample of what those cuts look like:
- California cuts to U.S. farm workers who work with H-2A workers are projected to go from $19.97 to $16.45.
- Oregon cuts to U.S. farm workers who work with H-2A workers are projected to go from $19.97 to $15.25.
- Michigan cuts to U.S. farm workers who work with H-2A workers are projected to go from $18.15 to $13.78.
- Georgia cuts to U.S. farm workers who work with H-2A workers are projected to go from $16.08 to $12.27.
- New York cuts to U.S. farm workers who work with H-2A workers are projected to go from $18.83 to $15.68
- Washington cuts to U.S. farm workers who work with H-2A workers are projected to go from $19.82 to $16.53.*
*This does not change current regulations that the worker still gets paid the highest of the state minimum wage, AEWR, prevailing wage, or the collective bargaining wage.
Who benefits from this? Big Ag
This rule is yet another handout to powerful agricultural corporations at the direct expense of the workers who harvest, pack and deliver America’s food. These wage cuts will drive down pay, displace U.S. workers and undermine labor standards nationwide. And it won’t stop with farm labor. When wages are pushed down in one industry, the pressure spreads. This will affect everyone.
Here is a list of ways that the rule cuts farm workers’ pay:
An employer can underpay an employee for spending almost half their time doing non-farm work like building, driving, or repairs, without paying more.
Cutting wages while expanding the H-2A program is a recipe for exploitation.
By expanding the H-2A guestworker program while gutting wage protections, the administration is creating a system where corporations profit and workers are pushed deeper into poverty. Both U.S. and migrant workers will suffer. Rural communities will feel the blow first, through deeper poverty and fewer opportunities.
That is why we’re taking this to court.
On November 21st, alongside 18 individual farm workers and partner organizations, we filed a lawsuit to stop these wage cuts. The cuts threaten workers’ ability to afford food, rent, healthcare, childcare, and basic survival. No person who feeds our nation should struggle to feed their own family. We sued and stopped the first Trump administration from freezing wages, and we can win again. But we can’t win this fight alone.
Take a stand. Add your name. Stay informed.
We’re holding the line for workers and fighting for a fairer future, but your voice matters. Help us sound the alarm by sharing this issue with your family, your community and your elected leaders at every level.
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Justice starts with just us.
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