Allies of former President Donald Trump have claimed his strict immigration policies would cause a “labor-market disruption celebrated by American workers.” However, studies suggest that American workers rarely benefit when undocumented workers are deported.
The Heritage Foundation, a powerful think tank, has advocated for the elimination of the H-2A visa program, which the agricultural industry increasingly relies on for labor. While in office, Trump supported the use of this visa program.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s administration has introduced protections for undocumented workers, including deferring deportation if they witness or are victims of labor violations. Some unions have reported that their members have already benefited from these protections.
Farmworkers’ Dispute in New York
An incident in August 2023 highlights ongoing tensions in the agricultural sector. Workers at Porpiglia Farms, a major apple grower in upstate New York, were startled when their employer allegedly entered their housing, causing some workers to flee or hide. The farmworkers, employed under the H-2A visa program, were represented by the United Farm Workers (UFW) union.
The UFW filed a complaint, accusing the orchard of violating workers’ rights. Porpiglia Farms disputed the account, stating that the union representative had trespassed and refused to leave when asked. The farm claimed it was cooperating with the UFW.
In the following summer, workers arriving for harvest noticed a sign near the orchard: “Farmers for Trump.” This signaled the deep division over immigration policies between the presidential candidates.
The Broader Debate: Trump vs. Biden
The dispute at the orchard illustrates the broader debate on immigration between former President Trump and President Biden. Trump’s hardline stance on immigration directly impacts the agricultural workforce, which depends heavily on undocumented labor. Despite this, the agricultural industry has often supported Trump.
Under Biden, efforts have been made to protect farmworkers, while his administration also continues to enforce border control policies. If Kamala Harris, the current vice president, were to win the presidency, it is likely that these policies would continue, including the hope for a path to citizenship for undocumented farmworkers. Harris has long supported such initiatives. However, despite these protections, many farmworkers still live in fear of deportation.
The Risks of Mass Deportation
Trump has promised to deport millions of undocumented individuals, many of whom are agricultural workers. This proposal has caused concern within the farming community. While Trump backed the H-2A program to address labor shortages during his presidency, his allies are now advocating for its elimination.
Research suggests that large-scale deportations could harm American workers. A study by the University of Colorado in 2023 found that deporting 1 million unauthorized workers could lead to 88,000 native workers losing jobs. The study concluded that businesses tend to use less labor rather than replace workers when faced with labor shortages.
Historical examples support this. When the Bracero Program, which allowed Mexican workers to fill seasonal agricultural jobs, ended, farmers did not hire more American workers. Instead, they turned to machinery to replace the labor force. This shift did not lead to increased employment or wages for native workers.
The Role of Temporary Visa Programs
Despite Trump’s rhetoric, temporary labor visa programs like the H-2A have become more popular. In 2023, the U.S. government issued around 400,000 H-2A visas. However, many farms still rely on undocumented workers. Of the estimated 2 million farmworkers in the U.S., approximately 44% are undocumented.
Mary Jo Dudley, director of the Cornell Farmworker Program, warned that if the U.S. lost half of its farmworker population quickly, the agricultural sector would likely collapse due to a lack of skilled workers to replace them.
The Politics of Immigration and Agriculture
Farmers who support Trump argue that they are trying to deny labor rights to their workforce and lower wages. They believe this is in their economic interest, according to UFW spokesperson Antonio De Loera-Brust.
While many agricultural groups declined to comment on the candidates’ immigration policies, some expressed concerns about labor shortages. The Meat Institute, representing the meatpacking industry, supports expanding visa programs to address labor needs. It warned that ongoing labor problems could drive up costs for both producers and consumers.
Farm Labor Conditions
Working in agriculture is risky and often poorly paid. Farmworkers face exposure to pesticides, which can cause skin rashes, cancer, and developmental issues in their children. Accidents involving heavy machinery also pose significant dangers.
Wages in agriculture remain low, and workers are often paid by how much they harvest, rather than hourly. Federal overtime laws do not apply to farmworkers, making the work even less appealing to U.S. citizens.
In meatpacking plants, workers suffer from repetitive stress injuries and face the risk of cuts and amputations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many plant workers were forced to continue working, putting their health and their families at risk.
As a result, many U.S. citizens are unwilling to take on these dangerous jobs, leaving farms and food processing plants reliant on immigrant labor. Farmers often feel they have no choice but to overlook questionable identification documents when hiring workers.
The Fear of Deportation
The fear of deportation remains a constant for many farmworkers. Gloria Solis, a farmworker from Washington state, fled Mexico in 1998 for economic reasons. Under Trump, she feared leaving her home, worried she could be deported. Her fear lessened after Biden was elected, but she remains anxious about the future, particularly if Trump were to return to office.
Farmworkers like Solis hope that the current protections will remain in place, but the uncertainty of U.S. immigration policies continues to cast a shadow over their lives.