Since the first day of the second Trump Administration, the president has issued or rescinded about a dozen immigration-related Executive Orders (EOs), all with the aim of bending existing government machinery to facilitate mass deportations of immigrants.
The administration’s crackdown on immigrants and promised mass deportations will have outsized impacts on the U.S. food system, agriculture industry, and rural communities. Two-thirds of farmworkers who harvest our crops, half of meatpacking workers, and more than a quarter of farm industry truck drivers are immigrants, whether permanent residents, seasonal visa holders, or undocumented workers.
- In 2020, the USDA estimated that 41.2% of workers in the food and farming system were undocumented.
- A September 2024 study suggested that mass deportations could lead to a 10% increase in food prices.
- The administration suggests that jobs held by deported workers will be filled by higher-paid U.S. citizens, but the opposite is likely to happen. A 2020 survey found that just 337 US-born workers applied for nearly 10,000 seasonal agricultural jobs advertised that year. The agriculture sector as a whole has already been suffering from labor shortages for several years. Experts warn that mass deportations could upend the economies of many states.
Immigration is primarily governed by federal law, but there are still actions state legislators can take to protect immigrant farmworker communities under threat and strengthen protections for farmworkers.
We’ve compiled a toolkit to support state legislators in taking action to support farmworkers and strengthen protections for farmworker families.
The toolkit is password-protected for the safety of our partners and communities. To access the toolkit, please fill out this form.
What’s Inside?
- An overview of the current threats against immigrant communities and the specific threats to food and farmworker communities
- Strategies for fighting back against these federal threats and support farmworkers
- Policy suggestions to increase farmworker rights and strengthen protections
- Messaging tips and narrative support to amplify the threats against farmworkers
- And more
Additionally, for state legislators that are wanting to access additional resources to support Immigrant communities and farmworkers we suggest the following NEW SiX Resources:
- NEW SIX Issue Brief: The Intersection of Reproductive, Economic, and Agricultural Justice: Addressing Economic, Sociodemographic, and Healthcare Challenges from a State Policy Perspective
- NEW SIX Toolkit: State Power to Protect Immigrant Communities. Includes immediate resources and support for impacted communities
As lawmakers, we are responsible for crafting policies that reflect our values—policies that ensure safety, dignity, and opportunity for all. This toolkit provides concrete steps to resist harmful measures and build a more inclusive future.