The landscape of immigration enforcement is significantly impacting the agricultural sector, particularly out West. Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified operations, with a spotlight on produce farms in Ventura County, Calif. Earlier this week, farm workers in Oxnard reported the presence of ICE agents arriving as early as 6 a.m. The number of detainees following these operations remains unclear, but the implications on the workforce loom large.
Government and Organizational Voices Unite
This crackdown has sparked reactions from congressional representatives and industry leaders. Notably, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers used social media to express concern about the potential void left in essential agricultural roles, emphasizing the integral role of these immigrant workers.
“If suddenly those people disappear, I don’t know who the hell is going to milk the cows,” he told Wisconsin news outlet WLUK.
In parallel, Matt Herrick, executive vice president with International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) emphasizes the crucial necessity for stable employment throughout the dairy supply chain. He told Dairy Herd Management he cannot speak to the situation in California specifically, but IDFA believes strongly stable employment across the dairy supply chain, including for farm employees, is a matter of economic security and food security for our nation.
“We value all employees, and we are grateful for their incredible work ethic that brings nutritious food to millions of tables every day. Food and agriculture must have workforce stability, and we need policies that offer real solutions for farms and food manufacturing facilities alike,” he says. “That is why IDFA will continue to urge Congress to enact commonsense legislation to reform the food and agricultural guest worker program that protects our dairy industry’s productivity and ensures the reliable flow of milk and dairy products to American consumers.”
During a bill signing on June 12, President Donald Trump was asked about his stance on immigrant workers in farms and the hospitality industry.
“Our farmers are being hurt badly, they have good workers that have worked for them for 20 years. They are not citizens, but turned out to be great. We will do something about that,” he said.
The president claimed he would have an order on the farm workers “soon.”
Reports from National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) underscore the importance of immigrant workers, noting they contribute to an astounding 79% of the U.S. milk supply.
Dependence on Immigrant Labor
Experts like Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University have pointed out the increasing reliance on immigrant labor. He suggests the current figures may, in fact, underestimate the industry’s dependence, particularly as dairy herd sizes and farm employment continue to grow.
“Dairy herd sizes have grown considerably and so have the number of employees on the farm,” he says.
With approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., dairy producers are urged to stay organized and prepared. Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president of policy development and strategy for NMPF, advises farm owners to maintain thorough documentation, such as I-9 forms and social security copies, to ensure compliance with legal standards amidst potential ICE inspections.
Communication and preparation are key. Castaneda encourages open dialogue between farm owners and their employees, advising on behaviors that might inadvertently attract legal scrutiny. Furthermore, he suggests farmers engage with their local communities to foster a supportive network for those relying on immigrant labor.
Urgency for Immigration Reform
The urgency for immigration reform is encapsulated by Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, who asserts American citizens are typically unwilling to undertake these demanding jobs.
“Americans don’t want these jobs,” he says.
As ICE operations amplify, the need to address immigration policies becomes increasingly critical for the sustainability and ethics of the U.S. dairy industry.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, last week eleven people were arrested during an ICE raid near Lovington, N.M. Federal statements articulate concerns regarding illegal hiring practices that exploit workers and undercut competition, further complicating the agricultural workforce landscape.
“Criminal employers who hire illegal workers put other employees and our communities at risk,” ICE wrote in a social media post. “Plus, they undercut their competition by exploiting illegal alien labor, making it harder for legitimate American businesses to stay afloat.”
Naerebout continues sharing dairy producers are getting very concerned as they are observing what is going on in the Southwest.
“We know one dairy in New Mexico had an ICE raid, and we are hearing stories of a number of other dairymen going thru I-9 audits,” he says. “We do continue to hear Secretary Rollins openly share the administration is aware of the difficulties around ag labor, which is positive. We need the Big Beautiful Bill to pass with its border security funding provisions so there will be space with Republicans to discuss reforms to the immigration system.”
The heightened ICE operations in the agricultural sector triggers an urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform.
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