Asger Risom
As Trump’s horrifying ICE operations intensify, farmworkers vanish—and harvests are left to waste.
As Trump’s horrifying ICE operations intensify, farmworkers vanish—and harvests are left to waste.
The Workers Vanish
Farmer Lisa Tate says ICE raids have scared away 70% of the workers in Ventura County fields. Undocumented immigrants now fear arrest under President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Crops Go Unpicked
Strawberry farms that once bustled with workers now sit nearly empty. Supervisors report having only a fraction of their usual crews.
A Broken Supply Chain
Unpicked crops are rotting in the fields, leading to immediate financial losses. Experts estimate that nearly half of U.S. farmworkers are undocumented.
Immigrant Fear
One farmworker, in the U.S. for 30 years, fears being separated from his family. Many avoid public spaces entirely, worried about getting caught.
Trump Acknowledges Impact
Trump admitted ICE raids are taking away long-time workers who are hard to replace. He has promised to help but hasn’t yet changed policy.
Economic Fallout
California farms bring in nearly $60 billion annually. Economists say native-born Americans won’t fill the jobs left vacant.
No One Feels Safe
“Even documented people feel unsafe,” says farmer Greg Tesch. Missing a few days during harvest season can destroy entire crops.
Desperate Adaptations
To avoid ICE, workers carpool with legal residents. Some send their U.S. citizen children to grocery stores to minimize risk.
