The controversy over Tyson Foods' hiring of asylum seekers
Feb 27, 2025
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Tyson Foods faces backlash for closing a plant in Perry, Iowa, while hiring asylum seekers elsewhere. With personal stories from both former American workers and new migrants, the podcast explores the emotional fallout of corporate decisions. Insights into Tyson's hiring practices reveal a complex narrative of labor dynamics. One migrant shares his journey from Venezuela to finding stability in Tennessee, highlighting the contrasting experiences of those affected by these hiring changes. The episode raises questions about inequality and the impact of immigration on local economies.
Tyson Foods faced labor shortages and turned to asylum seekers for low-skilled jobs, igniting debate over the displacement of American workers.
Contrasting accounts from a migrant worker and a former employee reveal the emotional and social ramifications of corporate hiring practices amid community disruption.
Deep dives
Immigration and Labor Market Dynamics
The podcast details how Tyson Foods sought to fill low-skilled positions amid a tight labor market, turning to recent migrants for labor. The company faced difficulties retaining employees, resulting in a turnover rate around 40%, which compounded their recruitment challenges. With an influx of about 175,000 recent migrants in New York, Tyson collaborated with a non-profit organization to hire asylum seekers, offering immediate job placements at their poultry processing plant in Tennessee. This initiative was framed positively, with Tyson expressing pride in supporting a diverse workforce in the context of persistent labor shortages.
Media Coverage and Public Perception
The simultaneous publication of articles by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal about Tyson's hiring practices sparked significant public discourse. While one article discussed the hiring of migrants, the other reported the closure of a Tyson plant in Iowa, where 1,200 American workers were laid off. This juxtaposition led to perceptions that Tyson was prioritizing immigrant labor over American jobs, fueling controversy and public outcry on platforms like Fox News. Statements from political commentators amplified these concerns, framing the situation as a broader issue of immigrants displacing American workers.
Personal Experiences of Workers
The podcast provides personal accounts from both a newly hired migrant worker and a former employee from the closed Iowa plant, highlighting contrasting circumstances. The migrant, referred to as Kamakaro, details his journey from Venezuela to the U.S., ultimately finding employment with Tyson, where he views his situation as a significant improvement in his life. Conversely, the former plant worker, Jody, reflects on the emotional toll of the plant's closure on the local community, describing feelings of sadness and frustration among long-time employees. These narratives illustrate the complex realities of labor dynamics and the human impact of corporate decisions in the evolving immigration landscape.
Last year, Tyson Foods shuttered a meat processing plant in Perry, Iowa. The company said it made the decision because the plant was old and inefficient. But the closure was devastating for the residents of Perry. The plant had employed some 1200 workers in a town with a population of only 8000.
At the same time, Tyson was also busy hiring workers elsewhere. It was working with a non-profit group that helps connect companies with asylum seekers and refugees looking for work. Tyson ultimately hired hundreds of new workers through this partnership.
Was this just a coincidence? Or were these two stories actually one story - a story about one of the country's biggest meat processors forcing out American workers and replacing them with migrants? On today's show we take a look at the controversy surrounding Tyson's hiring moves and how things look from the perspective of the workers themselves. Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.