President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport millions of immigrants could drastically impact states reliant on farming and food industries, where labor shortages are already present. Immigrants account for about two-thirds of crop farmworkers in the U.S., with approximately 40% lacking legal authorization, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Key sectors like meatpacking, dairy, poultry, and livestock heavily depend on immigrant labor. Bruce Lampman, owner of Lampman Dairy Farm in Idaho, emphasizes that immigrant workers are vital, stating, “We wouldn’t survive without them.”
Agricultural employers face challenges finding enough laborers due to low wages and demanding work conditions. The federal H-2A visa program, meant for seasonal work lasting six to ten months, is a popular solution but cannot fill year-round roles in industries like dairy and poultry. H-2A applications have surged, reflecting a labor shortfall, with positions increasing from 48,000 in 2005 to over 378,000 in 2023, according to the USDA. However, year-round operations remain unable to use this visa program to address labor gaps.
Many farmers employ immigrants with “temporary protected status,” allowing them to stay in the U.S. due to unsafe conditions in their home countries. This program covers about 1.2 million people from nations like El Salvador, Haiti, and Ukraine. Immigration advocates push for permanent legal status for H-2A workers and expansion of the program to support year-round operations. The National Milk Producers Federation supports reforms to provide permanent legal status and access to a stable workforce, with immigrants comprising 51% of dairy farm labor and contributing to 80% of the U.S. milk supply.
In a recent interview, Trump reiterated plans to deport immigrants, beginning with criminals. Farmers fear the loss of workers could cripple the agricultural sector. Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, warns that mass deportations threaten the nation’s food supply. Economist Jeffrey Dorfman highlights that even the threat of deportation impacts the workforce, as fears of ICE raids cause workers to vanish, leaving critical job vacancies.
Antonio De Loera-Brust of United Farm Workers advocates for protecting workers’ rights, emphasizing the need for better wages and citizenship opportunities. He criticizes the notion that deportations would only impact grocery prices, calling it a “moral weakness.” The potential economic and social impacts of mass deportations remain a significant concern for the agriculture industry.
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