If Trump's plans for mass deportations penetrate California’s heartland, it almost surely would decimate the workforce farmers rely on to plant and harvest their crops. So, why aren't farmers yelling in protest?

Summary

California farmers, many of whom supported Trump, face a potential crisis as his immigration policies threaten mass deportations of undocumented workers, who make up at least half of the state’s 162,000 farm labor force.

Deportations could devastate agriculture, leading to labor shortages, unharvested crops, and rising food prices.

Farmers hope for solutions such as workforce legalization or expanded H-2A guest worker programs, though these have been criticized for exploitation risks.

Historical parallels to programs like “Operation Wetback” and the bracero system highlight possible labor and human rights challenges ahead.

  • Wes4Humanity@lemm.ee
    19·
    23 hours ago

    Sadly these rich farmers won’t find out anything… They’ll say there’s shortages because of the deportations, whether there actually are or not, and will jack up prices to more than cover their profit at consumer expense. They fuck around, WE (and the slaves immigrant farm workers) get to do the finding out.