Trump's Mass Deportations Are Pushing US Farms to Breaking Point
President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans are pushing American farms to a "breaking point," experts warned.
Martin Casanova, founder of THX, a program that connects consumers with farmworkers, told Newsweek. "We are dangerously close to a breaking point. In 2022, an estimated 15 million tons of produce were left unharvested in the U.S.—enough for 30 billion daily servings."
A key aspect of Trump's immigration agenda is the removal of millions of undocumented immigrants, with a focus on the immediate deportation of individuals who were in the U.S. illegally, especially those with criminal records. However, the president's flagship policy has sparked concerns about its potential ripple effects on the economy.
Business leaders are advocating for a more balanced approach that supports businesses while preserving the essential workforce crucial to their survival.
Agricultural output will fall between $30 and $60 billion if Trump's flagship policy is carried out, according to the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC).
The crisis facing U.S. agriculture is not just a political issue but an economic one. Labor shortages in the sector are already contributing to rising food prices. Farms are struggling to find enough workers to harvest crops, which results in lower yields, a tight supply, and higher costs for consumers. Perishable crops, such as fruits and vegetables, are particularly vulnerable.
"Labor shortages are a significant factor in rising food prices," said Casanova.
"When farms can't find enough workers to harvest crops on time, yields drop, supply tightens, and prices increase."
Casanova added that restrictive immigration policies exacerbate these shortages, while expanding legal entry programs could help ease the crisis.
"Immigration policy plays a critical role: restrictive policies worsen labor shortages while expanding and streamlining legal entry programs would help ease the crisis," he said.
This reliance on immigrant labor has been growing, as domestic workers show less interest in agricultural jobs, and an aging farmworker population struggles to meet labor demands.
About 40 percent of crop farmworkers in the U.S. are undocumented, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, told Newsweek: "Livestock producers in Kansas have not seen a significant impact on their workforce yet. Enforcement actions and the potential of collateral effects has created uncertainty and unease in some communities.
The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade organization that advocates for 5,600 members on legislative and regulatory matters.
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that approximately 1.2 million undocumented immigrants reside in Kansas.
"We need a secure border, a process for the current workforce to earn legal status, and an effective, efficient guest worker program that fits the needs of livestock producers," Teagarden said.
The H-2B visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa that permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal or short-term nonagricultural jobs when there is a shortage of American workers.
The American Immigration Council estimates that the mass removal policy could result in a one-time cost of $315 billion. Additionally, deporting 1 million individuals annually could lead to yearly expenses of up to $88 billion.
In April, Trump proposed that undocumented immigrants employed in sectors such as agriculture could self-deport and return legally if their employers vouched for them.
Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, told Newsweek: "I have had reports of employees expressing fear and uncertainty because of the increase in enforcement activity."
Martin Casanova, founder of THX, told Newsweek: Limiting legal immigration directly undermines the labor supply U.S. farms rely on. The H-2A guest worker program, which supplies temporary visas for agricultural labor, has experienced slow growth due to rising costs and bureaucratic delays. In fiscal year 2024, certified H-2A positions grew by less than 2 percent for the second year in a row."
President Donald Trump said: "We're going to work with them right from the beginning on, trying to get them back in legally. So it gives you real incentive. Otherwise they never come back. They'll never be allowed once a certain period of time goes by, which is probably going to be 60 days."
Business leaders have made it clear that they will advocate for comprehensive immigration reform to secure the workforce needed in vital sectors.
The Trump administration remains firm on its stance regarding deportation, but with the agricultural industry facing immense pressure, it's clear that any comprehensive solution will need to address labor shortages in key sectors, ensuring that U.S. farms and businesses can survive.
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