Trump’s Immigration Plans Are Already Wrecking the Food Industry
newrepublic.com
Immigrant farm workers are too scared to show up to work.

Summary

Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including heightened ICE raids, are disrupting the U.S. agricultural sector.

In California’s Central Valley, a key food-producing region, undocumented farm workers—over half the workforce—are staying home out of fear, leaving crops like citrus unharvested.

Bakersfield saw up to 75% of workers absent, sparking concerns of economic devastation and rising food prices.

ICE is also targeting sensitive areas like schools and churches after rolling back Obama-era protections.

Experts warn these policies could lead to widespread economic repercussions.

  • doomcanoe@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    12·
    4 hours ago

    You are not wrong, but I don’t really think abusing the disenfranchised to the extent that they aren’t getting paid at all while food rots away is what I would call a “good path” to living wages.

    First off, no one is getting living wages for the work yet, and we have no evidence to suggest they will.

    Secondly, even if this does lead to that, maybe we could have found a path forward without all the unnecessary added suffering?

    I dunno, it just feels really fucked up to be spinning this like the only outcome is “living wages” when all it has actually done so far is cause additional harm.