A federal judge in California ruled on August 26, 2026 that a Labor Department regulation issued by the Trump administration, which would permit lower wages for seasonal farmworkers, is unlawful. The decision overturns the rule that had been designed to reduce pay for workers hired for temporary agricultural jobs. The judge’s order blocks the regulation from taking effect and requires the department to cease enforcing the lower‑wage standard.
The challenged regulation was adopted by the U.S. Labor Department as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to adjust labor standards for agriculture. Farmworker advocacy groups filed suit, contending that the rule would undercut wages already paid to U.S. farmworkers and harm their economic security. Their lawsuit argued that the department lacked authority to diminish established wage protections for seasonal labor.
In its ruling, the court found that the Labor Department had exceeded its statutory authority by allowing employers to pay less than the prevailing rates for seasonal work. By declaring the rule unlawful, the judgment preserves existing wage levels for farmworkers across California and signals that federal agencies must adhere to the limits set by labor law. The decision also serves as a check on future attempts to modify agricultural wage standards without clear congressional backing.
Advocates hailed the ruling as a protection for the thousands of seasonal laborers who depend on steady earnings to support their families. They noted that maintaining higher wage floors helps prevent a race to the bottom in agricultural compensation and reinforces labor rights in a sector that historically faces low pay and limited oversight. The judgment may influence other states and federal agencies as they consider revisions to farmworker wage rules.