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Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
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. Related Articles Judge Rules Against Trump Admin and Eric Adams on Rikers Island ICE OfficeTrump Admin Cuts Time for Migrants to File Deportation Appeal In HalfFlorida Police Are Joining ICE on Deportation RaidsTrump Admin Sends Judge Paula Xinis Files After Sharp Rebuke 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Trump's Mass Deportations Are Pushing US Farms to Breaking Point
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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." Why It Matters 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). A farmworker harvests Ranunculus bulbs at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California. A farmworker harvests Ranunculus bulbs at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California. Sandy Huffaker/Getty What To Know 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. What People Are Saying 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." What Happens Next 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.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas Livestock Association wants more migrant workers
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – With a new administration in the White House, livestock industry leaders are pushing for changes. They met this week with the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Kansas Livestock Association said producers need to be able to hire migrant workers faster, cheaper and for longer periods of time. It comes as a need for labor grows. People in the livestock industry said there's a real need for more migrant labor, especially in western Kansas. Existing visa programs aren't meeting labor demands. They say the past several years it's been increasingly difficult to fill positions. 'It used to be the positions that dealt directly with handling livestock were the hardest to fill,' said Troy Sander, COO of Heritage Beef and president of the Kansas Livestock Association. Now, things are more challenging. 'Within the last 5 to 10 years, it's pretty much equally hard to find labor at all levels of our operation,' Sander said. Beef prices hit all-time highs, expected to climb higher in 2025 That's where the need for migrant labor comes in. Sander said it applies to operations both big and small. 'It's a huge part of the workforce there in western Kansas, absolutely,' Sander said. 'I don't know how we would do it without that type of labor.' Right now, feedlot and dairy operations use the H-2A program to bring in migrant laborers. H-2A is seasonal. 'We would like to see an expansion of the H-2A program into year-round type of work on livestock operations to fill some of that additional need that we have,' said Matt Teagarden, Kansas Livestock Association CEO. Sander also wants a more streamlined visa process that's cheaper and faster. 'I don't want to have to go spend, you know, two days in an immigration attorney's office trying to figure this stuff out,' Sander said. 'It should be a very easy, it should just be a program that's able to be done very easily.' For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
