Farm Groups Want Trump To Spare Their Workers From Deportation

WASHINGTON, DC (Reuters)  – U.S. farm industry groups are pressing President-elect Donald Trump to exempt agricultural workers from his promised mass deportation plans, warning of severe consequences for the food supply chain, which relies heavily on undocumented immigrants.

Nearly half of the nation’s 2 million farm workers, along with many employed in the dairy and meatpacking industries, are undocumented, according to the Departments of Labor and Agriculture. Experts warn that deporting these workers would disrupt food production, increase grocery prices, and devastate small farming communities.

Impact on Farms and Food Supply
David Ortega, a food economics professor at Michigan State University, explained the critical role of immigrant labor in agriculture. “They’re filling essential roles that many U.S.-born workers are either unable or unwilling to perform,” he said.

Farm groups have welcomed the administration’s focus on deporting criminal immigrants but remain concerned about broader enforcement targeting the agricultural sector. “The farm sector could face devastating impacts if food-sector workers are included in these plans,” said Dave Puglia, president of Western Growers.

Trump Administration’s Position
Incoming “border czar” Tom Homan has stated that immigration enforcement will prioritize criminals and those with final deportation orders. However, he emphasized that no undocumented immigrant is exempt, and business enforcement “will have to happen.”

Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reiterated the administration’s commitment to campaign promises, stating, “President Trump has a mandate to implement his promises, including deporting migrant criminals and restoring economic greatness.”

Call for Reform and Legal Pathways
Farmers argue that the existing H-2A visa program, which allows employers to hire seasonal workers, is insufficient to meet labor needs. Although the program certified 378,000 positions in 2023—three times more than in 2014—it accounts for only about 20% of the farm workforce.

John Walt Boatright of the American Farm Bureau Federation called for expanded legal pathways, saying, “We need certainty, reliability, and affordability in our workforce programs.”

Concerns from the Farming Community
Rep. John Duarte, a Republican farmer from California’s Central Valley, urged the administration to ensure immigrant families with no criminal records and years of service in the U.S. are protected. “I’d like to hear clearly that these families will not be targeted,” he said, suggesting avenues for permanent legal status.

Worker Fears and Rights
For undocumented workers, the fear of deportation creates chronic stress, said Mary Jo Dudley, director of the Cornell Farmworker Program. Efforts are underway to train workers on their rights if confronted by immigration officials.

Edgar Franks, a former farm worker and union organizer, highlighted growing momentum among workers to organize in response to enforcement threats. “The anxiety is real, but unity gives us a better chance to fight back,” he said.

Economic Importance of Agriculture
Agriculture contributed $1.5 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2023, according to the USDA, underscoring its critical role in the economy. Advocates hope the Trump administration will consider the sector’s unique needs when implementing immigration policies, balancing enforcement with the necessity of a stable agricultural workforce.

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