Immigration raids in California have left crops unharvested and farms at risk, as a significant portion of the workforce has disappeared. In Ventura County, known for its production of strawberries, lemons, and avocados, up to 70% of farmworkers have stopped showing up for work due to fear of arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This is part of President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement campaign.
Lisa Tate, a sixth-generation farmer in Ventura County, expressed concern over the impact on local agriculture. “If 70% of your workforce doesn’t show up, 70% of your crop doesn’t get picked and can go bad in one day,” she told Latin Times. The raids have led to fears that many farms may not survive, as most Americans are unwilling to take on the labor-intensive jobs that immigrants fill.
The raids have also affected other states, with similar disruptions reported in Texas and Idaho. According to Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, roughly 80% of U.S. farmworkers are foreign-born, with nearly half undocumented. This labor shortage is causing significant challenges for the agricultural industry and supply chains.
President Trump acknowledged the issue, stating that his administration is working on a “temporary pass” system to allow undocumented workers in agriculture and hospitality to continue working legally. However, many workers remain in hiding, fearing deportation and separation from their families.
The situation has sparked protests and concerns from farm bureaus and community leaders. Maureen McGuire, chief executive of Ventura County’s farm bureau, highlighted the broader impact, stating, “When our workforce is afraid, fields go unharvested, packinghouses fall behind, and market supply chains, from local grocery stores to national retailers, are affected” (KCRA).
The ongoing raids and labor shortages have left many farms struggling to maintain operations, with fears that the situation could worsen if immigration enforcement continues at its current pace.
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