Temporary Fixes, Permanent Problems: The Folly of Expanding Guest Worker Programs Without Reform

The Facts: Labor Shortages and Policy Responses

As food prices remain persistently high, the Trump administration has responded by streamlining visa processes for foreign guest workers, particularly in agriculture, while simultaneously allowing for lower wage standards. This policy shift comes amid significant labor shortages exacerbated by immigration raids and enforcement actions. Industries such as construction, landscaping, and restaurants have collectively lost hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers through August of this year—315,000 by one analysis—prompting urgent calls for expanded temporary visa programs.

The H-2A visa program for agricultural workers has been made “easier and cheaper” for employers, and now other sectors are demanding similar relief. Construction alone has seen approximately 127,000 fewer immigrant workers, landscaping has lost 43,000, and restaurants have experienced a reduction of about 145,000 workers compared to the same period in 2024. These shortages have led to project delays, canceled contracts, and even business closures, as fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids keeps workers—including legal residents and citizens concerned about family members—away from job sites.

In response, businesses and bipartisan lawmakers are pushing for expanded visa programs. Thousands of companies across all 50 states have requested an additional 64,716 H-2B visas for seasonal workers, while 33 U.S. senators from both parties have signed letters supporting increased visa allocations. The construction industry advocates for new visa categories like the proposed H-2C visa, which would allow up to 85,000 less-skilled temporary workers to remain in the country for up to nine years.

The Context: A System Under Strain

The current immigration enforcement landscape has created what experts describe as a climate of “fear and uncertainty.” ICE raids in Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, and planned actions in Louisiana have resulted in over 65,000 detentions, nearly three-quarters of whom have no criminal convictions. This enforcement surge, coupled with existing visa caps and bureaucratic hurdles, has left employers struggling to find workers and temporary migrants vulnerable to abrupt policy changes.

The H-2B visa program, which provides for temporary non-agricultural workers, is severely constrained by an annual cap of 33,000 visas issued twice yearly—a number that has already been exceeded for the first half of fiscal 2026. The paperwork is described as “a nightmare” for employers, while workers face numerous obstacles in securing stable employment. Despite these challenges, industries continue to rely heavily on these programs, with Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, and Louisiana receiving the most H-2B visas last fiscal year.

Opinion: The Human Cost of Temporary Solutions

While addressing labor shortages is undoubtedly important for economic stability, the current approach of expanding temporary worker programs without comprehensive immigration reform is fundamentally flawed and ultimately counterproductive. As a defender of democratic principles and human dignity, I find this policy direction deeply troubling for several reasons.

First, temporary visa programs create a perpetually vulnerable underclass of workers who lack the protections and stability that come with permanent status. As Pia Orrenius of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas correctly notes, “Lack of permanent status is costly to migrants, employers, and the broader economy.” These workers remain subject to the whims of changing administrations and policies, living under constant threat of deportation despite their contributions to our economy and communities. This is not how a nation that values freedom and liberty should treat those who help build it.

The administration’s decision to simultaneously facilitate easier hiring of temporary workers while lowering wage standards compounds this injustice. It creates economic incentives for exploitation, potentially driving down wages for all workers in affected industries and undermining the principle of fair compensation for honest labor. When we prioritize cheap labor over human dignity, we betray the very values that make America exceptional.

Second, the focus on temporary solutions delays much-needed comprehensive immigration reform. Orrenius aptly observes that if cracking down on illegal immigration leads to permanent solutions, “then great.” But we cannot let enforcement actions become an excuse for maintaining a broken system that serves neither American interests nor immigrant rights. The bills proposed by Representatives Salazar and Escobar, which would create pathways to legal status for existing workers, represent the kind of thoughtful approach we need—yet they languish without advancement while temporary measures take precedence.

The stories of businesses losing workers due to raid fears—like the landscaping company that lost $50,000 in contracts when 50 of 75 workers failed to show up—highlight how current policies hurt employers and employees alike. But the answer isn’t simply more temporary visas; it’s creating a system that provides certainty and stability for all participants in our economy.

Principles Over Political Expediency

As someone who believes deeply in the rule of law and constitutional principles, I recognize the need for orderly immigration processes and border security. However, true respect for the rule of law means creating laws that are just, humane, and practical—not enforcing broken systems that create more problems than they solve.

The bipartisan support for expanded visa programs demonstrates that this is not a partisan issue but rather a practical one affecting businesses and communities across the political spectrum. Yet this consensus should be channeled toward permanent solutions rather than stopgap measures. The proposed H-2C visa, while well-intentioned, still leaves workers in temporary status for up to nine years—an eternity of uncertainty that prevents full integration and investment in American communities.

We must also consider the moral dimensions of our immigration policies. The United States has always been a nation of immigrants, drawn by the promise of freedom and opportunity. When we create systems that treat workers as disposable commodities rather than future citizens, we undermine this proud tradition. The temporary worker programs, as currently structured, risk creating a permanent class of second-class residents who contribute to our economy but are denied the full benefits and protections of American society.

Toward a More Just System

The solution lies in comprehensive immigration reform that addresses both economic needs and human dignity. This should include:

1. Pathways to permanent status for workers already contributing to our economy
2. Streamlined visa processes that reduce bureaucratic barriers while maintaining necessary oversight
3. Wage protections that ensure all workers—immigrant and native-born—receive fair compensation 4- Enforcement policies that focus on genuine threats rather than creating climate of fear among peaceful workers
4. Integration programs that help immigrants become full participants in American society

By focusing on these principles, we can create an immigration system that serves our economic needs while upholding our values. The current approach of expanding temporary programs without addressing underlying issues is short-sighted and ultimately unsustainable. It’s time for our leaders to demonstrate courage and vision by pursuing reforms that recognize both the economic contributions of immigrant workers and their fundamental human dignity.

As we move forward, we must remember that immigration policy is not just about economics or security—it’s about what kind of country we want to be. Do we want to be a nation that exploits temporary workers for economic convenience, or one that welcomes those who wish to build better lives while contributing to our shared prosperity? The answer should reflect our deepest values of freedom, justice, and human dignity.