Idaho Dairy Industry Faces Uncertainty Amid Immigration Crackdown
Amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, the agriculture sector, particularly in Idaho, is closely watching how new policies might affect its workforce.
According to Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout, a staggering 90% of the dairy industry’s workforce is composed of foreign-born workers. The Department of Labor estimates suggest that up to 40% of agriculture workers may be undocumented, a figure Naerebout believes could be as high as 50%.
“We don’t know what any deportation effort might look like. That could significantly impact the unauthorized workforce that supports the dairy industry,” Naerebout expressed, highlighting the industry's uncertainty.
Naerebout explained that when workers submit their I9 forms and paperwork, the dairy industry typically accepts the documentation at face value. As a result, many operators remain unaware of their workers' legal statuses due to seemingly legitimate paperwork.
With increasing immigration enforcement, concerns are rising among farmers and workers. “There have been instances where workers are self-deporting out of fear of potential deportation,” noted Naerebout.
Despite these challenges, Naerebout pointed out that wages in the dairy industry are increasing, helping to attract and retain workers. While there is potential for automation, certain roles, such as assisting animals during calving, still require human intervention.
Naerebout also sees a potential opportunity amidst the crackdown: obtaining H2A visas for the dairy industry. Historically, dairy has been excluded from these seasonal visas due to its year-round operations. Efforts to persuade Congress are ongoing, focusing especially on concerns about border security at the Southern Border.
“The lack of security at our Southern Border was a primary concern, and we were told that we couldn't discuss visa programs until those issues were addressed,” Naerebout explained.
With increased efforts to secure the Southern Border, there may be a renewed opportunity to address these visa applications for the dairy industry. However, the industry remains vigilant as talks continue, closely monitoring immigration enforcement developments.
