Iowa pork producer Rob Brenneman is incredibly frustrated. In July, Brenneman shared his concerns in an opinion piece about the Department of State’s failure to consider the pork industry’s critical need for professional and specialized employees.
He says the problem has only gotten worse since then.
“It just seems like every day there’s fewer and fewer TN visa applications approved. I get up every day and think about what I can do better for the people and the pigs,” he says.
In his mind, the TN visa program has become a huge part of his farm’s success. It has allowed him to gain access to talented, educated workers in the TN visa program who have a passion for pork production.
“In rural America, there’s not an abundance of labor,” he points out. “If people are interested in those opportunities, they’re usually involved in another farming operation.”
He says it’s absurd that the TN visa applications keep getting denied.
“Nothing’s changed, and I can guarantee you that if nothing changes in rural America, our food supply will be in huge jeopardy because of the lack of labor to get the job done, because there’s not enough labor out there,” Brenneman says.
Why Are Applications Being Denied?
NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys says he honestly doesn’t know why TN visa applications are being denied.
“That is a complete frustration for our industry,” Humphreys says. “We just want to know what the rules are and how we can work through those rules while being good stewards of the folks on our team. We have asked repeatedly for the State Department to share that information, but they refuse.”
Even after meeting with officials at the White House and the State Department, Humphreys says they still have no answers.
“We want to work with the State Department to find a solution to ensure that we as an industry have the ability to hire incredibly talented folks and build our communities out,” Humphreys says.
To do that, he believes the State Department needs to be willing to share answers to the agriculture industry’s questions around the application process.
“If there is a problem, what is it and how can we fix it? If there is not a problem, help us find a solution so our folks have clarity on what it is they are supposed to do and how they should navigate the system,” Humphreys continues. “The State Department has changed the system and has not told us how to comply with the rules.”
What Should Producers Do?
How can pork operations fight what feels like an uphill battle now? Brenneman reminds producers to talk to their legislators and speak up on behalf of the crisis facing American pork producers when it comes to finding labor.
“Make your opinion known and share how the TN visas or other programs limiting access to workers are affecting your farm’s ability to care for animals and to provide an affordable, wholesome supply of pork,’ Brenneman says.
The pork industry in particular wants to see members of Congress apply pressure to the State Department to work with industry to set clear and consistent guidelines for TN visa applications, so that pork producers have access to these skilled professionals at a time when rural America is struggling with limited labor. Another part of the puzzle is the H-2A program, which is entirely in Congress’s hands. Pork production is not seasonal, which means the strictly seasonal H-2A visa is currently not a solution to the rural labor crisis.
“Last week during the NPPC Legislative Fly-in in Washington, DC, there was a lot of discussion and support from all of agriculture to address both parts of the puzzle – the TN denials and making H-2As accessible to year-round operations,” Humphreys says. “I want to be clear that this is about labor and supporting rural America and rural communities. This conversation does not need to be tied to broader conversations about immigration. This is about how we help support the food supply in the U.S.”
He also wants producers to realize they aren’t alone right now. NPPC is committed to encouraging congressional leaders to navigate through this.
We’re Talking About People’s Lives
“Here’s what disturbs me the most – these are people’s lives. These wonderful individuals who have applied for a job, interviewed for a job, and went through what I would argue is a very rigorous application process. They went to a U.S. consulate – maybe flew, maybe drove, all to get there on the hopes of having the opportunity to come to the United States and work on a farm in areas where we can’t find other people because the unemployment rate is so low,” Humphreys says. “They do all this only to be rejected and not given a clear answer as to why.”
That’s not right, he argues.
“We, as farmers, have a moral obligation to ensure the world has a food supply, but we also have an obligation to our team members,” Humphreys says. “America’s pig farmers take seriously – to ensure that their team has opportunities, jobs and fulfilling lives. That opportunity is being taken away from our farmers and the folks applying for these jobs.”
There’s no question employing a local labor force would be less stressful, Humphreys says.
“Local labor is a whole lot easier for our folks to hire than interviewing and going through an application process in another country. We’re not talking the town over – we’re talking an entire other country,” he explains. “And we’re going through it because folks want to come here to work. I guess if there’s anything I want to leave folks with, it’s that this is a struggle for our industry. It will impact the American food supply, but it is incredibly disheartening to hear what is happening to the people impacted by these TN visa denials.”
It’s important to note that these TN visa applicants have other job opportunities. But Humphreys says it’s key to note that they have chosen to apply for these jobs in U.S. agriculture, and specifically in U.S. pork operations.
“We want people who want to work in agriculture,” he says. “Why does it matter where they come from?”
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