US Farm Groups Urge Trump to Exempt Agricultural Workers from Deportation Plan
Source: DairyNews.today
U.S. farm industry leaders are pressing President-elect Donald Trump to exclude agricultural workers from his proposed mass deportation plan, warning of severe disruptions to a food supply chain heavily reliant on undocumented immigrants. Nearly half of the nation’s 2 million farmworkers lack legal status, according to government data.
Farm groups fear that deporting these workers, who also play a significant role in dairy and meatpacking industries, could lead to labor shortages, rising production costs, and higher grocery prices for consumers.
Concerns from the Industry
David Ortega, a food economics professor at Michigan State University, highlighted the essential role of undocumented workers in the agricultural sector, stating, "They’re filling critical roles that many U.S.-born workers are either unable or unwilling to perform."
Farmers and their Republican allies are cautiously optimistic about Trump officials’ stated priority of targeting immigrants with criminal records. However, incoming “border czar” Tom Homan has said that no undocumented immigrant will be exempt from enforcement, leaving the agricultural sector uncertain about its future labor supply.
Calls for Policy Adjustments
Representative John Duarte, a Republican farmer from California, urged the incoming administration to exempt workers who have been in the U.S. for at least five years without a criminal record and to explore pathways to permanent legal status. "Small towns would collapse if these workers were deported," he warned.
Farmers can legally hire foreign labor through the H-2A visa program, which certified 378,000 positions in 2023—a threefold increase since 2014. However, this seasonal program meets only about 20% of the sector’s workforce needs and is often criticized for its cost and restrictive requirements.
Broader Impact
During Trump’s first term, the administration assured the agricultural sector it would not target food workers, though raids did occur at several processing plants. Farm industry representatives are advocating for expanded legal pathways to address the labor shortage.
“We need the certainty, reliability, and affordability of a workforce program that allows us to deliver food from farm to table,” said John Hollay of the International Fresh Produce Association.
Worker and Union Response
The looming threat of enforcement has caused widespread anxiety among workers, with unions reporting increased efforts to organize. Edgar Franks, political director of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, said, "The anxiety and fear are real. But if we’re together, there’s a better chance for us to fight back."
Immigration attorney Leon Fresco suggested the risk of large-scale enforcement against farms is low due to the economic necessity of agricultural labor. However, enforcement actions at meatpacking plants and other facilities could lead to unintended consequences, such as the detention of legal workers, labor groups warn.
As Trump’s deportation policies take shape, the agricultural sector is bracing for potential challenges while lobbying for solutions to safeguard its workforce and ensure stability in the U.S. food supply chain.
Concerns from the Industry
David Ortega, a food economics professor at Michigan State University, highlighted the essential role of undocumented workers in the agricultural sector, stating, "They’re filling critical roles that many U.S.-born workers are either unable or unwilling to perform."
Farmers and their Republican allies are cautiously optimistic about Trump officials’ stated priority of targeting immigrants with criminal records. However, incoming “border czar” Tom Homan has said that no undocumented immigrant will be exempt from enforcement, leaving the agricultural sector uncertain about its future labor supply.
Calls for Policy Adjustments
Representative John Duarte, a Republican farmer from California, urged the incoming administration to exempt workers who have been in the U.S. for at least five years without a criminal record and to explore pathways to permanent legal status. "Small towns would collapse if these workers were deported," he warned.
Farmers can legally hire foreign labor through the H-2A visa program, which certified 378,000 positions in 2023—a threefold increase since 2014. However, this seasonal program meets only about 20% of the sector’s workforce needs and is often criticized for its cost and restrictive requirements.
Broader Impact
During Trump’s first term, the administration assured the agricultural sector it would not target food workers, though raids did occur at several processing plants. Farm industry representatives are advocating for expanded legal pathways to address the labor shortage.
“We need the certainty, reliability, and affordability of a workforce program that allows us to deliver food from farm to table,” said John Hollay of the International Fresh Produce Association.
Worker and Union Response
The looming threat of enforcement has caused widespread anxiety among workers, with unions reporting increased efforts to organize. Edgar Franks, political director of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, said, "The anxiety and fear are real. But if we’re together, there’s a better chance for us to fight back."
Immigration attorney Leon Fresco suggested the risk of large-scale enforcement against farms is low due to the economic necessity of agricultural labor. However, enforcement actions at meatpacking plants and other facilities could lead to unintended consequences, such as the detention of legal workers, labor groups warn.
As Trump’s deportation policies take shape, the agricultural sector is bracing for potential challenges while lobbying for solutions to safeguard its workforce and ensure stability in the U.S. food supply chain.
