President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened to deport all illegal immigrants both in his pre-election rhetoric and in subsequent statements and social media posts. The USDA estimates that half of the nation’s two million farm workers lack legal status.
Dave Puglia, President of Western Growers, noted that production will be seriously impacted if illegal workers were to be deported. Representative John Duarte (R-CA), currently awaiting the result of his reelection bid, commented that his constituency, which includes the Central Valley, was dependent on illegal immigrants and that serious economic consequences would follow mass deportation. Green produce, dairy and meat-packing companies would be adversely affected if workers were to be deported.
Tom Homan, appointed to secure the Southern border and to implement a program of deportation, has indicated that the priority will be illegal immigrants with criminal records or involvement with law enforcement in the U.S.
Given that a significant proportion of U.S. citizens, many receiving SNAP and other federal and state benefits, are disinclined to perform agricultural labor, it will be necessary to extend the program of H-2A visas. This will regularize the employment situation and allow workers to enter the U.S. to perform agricultural labor without displacing U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
During the first Administration of President Trump, there was only limited action against illegal workers including a few raids on poultry processing plants in Mississippi and produce-packing facilities in Nebraska.