Key Takeaways
• Van Orden proposes major changes to H-2A and H-2B visa work authorization programs with Trump officials’ support.
• Proposal addresses balancing economic labor shortages in Wisconsin with strong border enforcement, sparking national immigration debate.
• H-2B visas remain capped at 66,000 yearly; proposal may raise requirements and adjust employer verification processes.
Representative Derrick Van Orden’s recent announcement about proposing changes to work authorization programs for immigrants marks a notable shift in immigration discussions in the United States 🇺🇸 today. This new effort is rooted in Van Orden’s concern for economic stability in his home state of Wisconsin 🇺🇸, while also trying to align with his party’s traditional focus on strong borders. The proposal is in the early stages and only a few details are public, but it is already stirring conversations about how the country balances labor needs and immigration enforcement.
Van Orden and His Approach
Derrick Van Orden, the Republican representative from Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, has been active in immigration matters over the past few years. In May 2025, reports surfaced describing Van Orden’s work with several former Trump administration officials. He said he is planning to propose major changes to work authorization programs, naming the H-2A and H-2B visa categories specifically. These categories allow people from other countries to fill temporary or seasonal jobs in the United States 🇺🇸.
Van Orden is not acting alone. He is collaborating with known Trump administration figures, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and Tom Homan, who is often described as the “border czar.” Their involvement signals that the plan is meant to appeal to a broad section of the Republican Party—those interested in both strong border enforcement and addressing business needs for workers.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this move from Van Orden suggests a shift in how lawmakers may start to balance stricter border rules with the ongoing need for foreign workers, especially for jobs that Americans are less likely to take.
What Are Work Authorization Programs?
Work authorization programs are systems that let immigrants legally work in the United States 🇺🇸 for a fixed time. The two most discussed programs in Van Orden’s proposal, the H-2A and H-2B visas, serve different kinds of employers:
- H-2A visas: These are for agricultural jobs. Farmers who cannot find local workers can bring in workers from other countries temporarily, for tasks like planting, harvesting, and processing crops.
- H-2B visas: These cover a wide range of non-farming, non-permanent jobs, like construction, landscaping, seafood processing, and hospitality roles during busy seasons.
Employers rely on these visas when they cannot hire enough American workers for certain times of the year. The programs have detailed rules on how many people can get these visas, how long they can work, what they are paid, and the type of jobs they can perform. For more information on these programs, you can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
Why Is Van Orden Proposing Changes?
Van Orden has explained that his main reason stems from practical economic issues facing his district and the United States 🇺🇸 overall. Many farms, hotels, and construction companies in Wisconsin 🇺🇸 and across the country rely on immigrant labor to function. In his own words, he shared with NOTUS, “Rocks are heavy. Trees are made of wood. Gravity is real. There’s 20 million illegal aliens here that have been floating agriculture, hospitality and construction for decades, and we need their labor.” This simple statement underlines how vital immigrant work is for many key industries in the United States 🇺🇸.
He also expressed concern that if Wisconsin 🇺🇸 cannot attract enough workers for its farms, the state could lose its position as a leader in agriculture. This, in turn, could hurt the state’s economy, threaten family farms, and increase prices for everyone. For Van Orden, adjusting work authorization programs is about making sure businesses have the workforce they need, while still respecting the desire for better border security.
Balancing Party Values and Economic Needs
Van Orden’s involvement in adjusting work authorization programs is particularly striking given his record on border security. He has long argued that the United States 🇺🇸 is experiencing a “historic border crisis” and pushed for tougher immigration laws, more resources for border patrol, and increased support for local law enforcement. On his official website, Van Orden says he is “committed to strengthening our immigration laws, securing our borders, ensuring our law enforcement and border patrol agents have the resources they need, and keeping our communities safe.”
Despite this firm stance, Van Orden seems to acknowledge the need for some flexibility. His actions echo the concerns of many lawmakers who hear directly from farmers and business owners struggling to fill jobs, even as public debates around immigration often focus on security, not economic opportunity.
Working with Trump Administration Officials
Van Orden’s proposal stands out because of the support he is receiving from high-profile Trump administration officials. The inclusion of Brooke Rollins, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and Tom Homan illustrates a push to build a solution that appeals to conservative groups and those in the business community afraid of labor shortages.
- Brooke Rollins is known for supporting business-friendly policies.
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer served as Labor Secretary and focuses on the needs of workers and industries.
- Tom Homan spent much of his career on border enforcement and immigration control.
Their involvement could help smooth the way for a proposal that tries to bring together those who want tighter borders and those who need more workers. This is one of the challenges in American immigration policy—finding a middle ground that works for both sides.
Recent Legislative Activity
Van Orden has a track record of action on immigration issues. In April 2024, he introduced H.R. 8060, a bill that would require government agencies to inform elected officials before placing refugees in a state. This proposal, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, shows Van Orden’s interest in making changes to immigration law that give states a larger role.
His work on the new proposal for work authorization programs fits with his legislative style—focusing on practical problems, like staffing on farms and in hotels, while maintaining strong rhetoric on border security.
Background on H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
The H-2A and H-2B programs go back decades. The United States 🇺🇸 started these programs to help industries get the workers they need when Americans do not want the jobs, such as tough farm work or short-term jobs at beach resorts. Every year, thousands of employers use these programs to hire tens of thousands of workers from other countries.
- The H-2A program has no formal cap on the number of visas each year, but applications must be approved by the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security.
- The H-2B visa is capped at 66,000 each year, split between the first and second halves of the fiscal year. Often, demand is so high that some industries ask Congress to let them hire extra workers above the limit.
However, these programs have their issues. Employers and workers alike complain that the process can be slow and paperwork-heavy, and sometimes there are delays that cost businesses a lot of money. Critics point out that workers can face poor housing conditions or unfair treatment, especially if employers use the process to avoid paying fair wages. Others argue the system does not do enough to protect American jobs.
Immediate and Long-term Impacts
If Van Orden’s proposal moves forward, several groups would feel the effects:
- Immigrant workers: They could find it easier or harder to get work permits, depending on how the rules change.
- Employers: Businesses might see faster, easier ways to hire much-needed workers—or they might face extra rules or costs.
- American workers: The proposal could include more protections for local workers, or it might spark new debates about whether U.S. jobs are being protected.
- Border security advocates: Some may support rules that tie work permits to strict screening, while others worry changes could weaken enforcement.
- State and local governments: They may call for a bigger role in how workers are placed in their areas, like with Van Orden’s refugee bill.
The long-term result will depend on how well the proposal is written and whether it can pass in Congress. Changes could set a new trend in how the United States 🇺🇸 handles the relationship between workers from other countries and employers.
Debate and Different Points of View
Because immigration is a hot-button issue, any change to work authorization programs will spark strong opinions. Some people see these programs as essential for the country’s economy, making sure food is grown and houses are built when not enough Americans apply for those jobs. Others worry that creating pathways for foreign workers might reduce chances for U.S. citizens or make it harder to control the border.
In the past, the Trump administration favored tough border controls but was open to work programs if they helped American businesses. Van Orden is now working with officials from that era, which may shape the final proposal.
Within Congress and among the public, there will likely be arguments over:
– How many temporary work permits should be given each year.
– Whether employers must prove there are no Americans who want the jobs.
– What rights and protections foreign workers should get.
– How to make sure the process is smooth but not open to fraud or abuse.
What Happens Next?
The idea is still being developed, so the exact details are not available yet. Van Orden and the Trump administration officials he is working with will likely draft a proposal, gather feedback from fellow lawmakers and business leaders, and introduce it formally in Congress.
If you are an employer who hires seasonal or temporary workers, or someone who hopes to work in the United States 🇺🇸 under these programs, keep an eye on news from Congress and government websites such as the USCIS worker programs page.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Derrick Van Orden’s work on new proposals for work authorization programs, with the help of Trump administration officials, highlights a clear need in the United States 🇺🇸 today. Many industries depend on immigrant workers. At the same time, there is a real push for stronger border rules and immigration enforcement. If he is successful, Van Orden’s proposal may help find a balance between these competing needs. It remains to be seen how lawmakers, employers, and the wider public will react to the changes once the plan is formally introduced.
As the discussion continues, workers, employers, and policymakers should stay informed about Van Orden’s actions and proposals. For in-depth updates and analysis on immigration changes, you can follow outlets such as VisaVerge.com. This debate about work authorization programs reflects the ongoing challenge of meeting economic needs while following the principles and laws that shape immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Work Authorization Program → A system allowing immigrants to legally work in the U.S. for a limited period, with assigned job and employer.
H-2A Visa → A temporary work visa allowing foreign nationals to fill seasonal agricultural positions when U.S. workers are unavailable.
H-2B Visa → A non-agricultural temporary work visa for foreign labor in industries like construction, landscaping, and hospitality during busy periods.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency handling immigration and naturalization, including work visa applications.
Immigration and Nationality Act → The primary U.S. law governing immigration policy, outlining eligibility and processes for work visas and residency.
This Article in a Nutshell
Representative Van Orden plans to reform work visa policies in response to Wisconsin’s labor needs. Collaborating with Trump-era officials, he seeks stricter enforcement while addressing economic realities. Proposed changes to H-2A and H-2B visas may reshape the balance between U.S. border control and vital immigrant labor supply nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Schengen rules make Europe work visas harder for Indian travelers
• UK Immigration Rules to Demand Fluent English for Work Visas
• UK visas face new limits as government targets asylum claims
• Saudi Arabia Halts E-Visas Before Hajj Pilgrimage
• UK to tighten study visas over rising asylum claims
