The Journal. Deportations Could Upend This Parachute Factory
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Jun 5, 2025 
Ruth Simon, a journalist for WSJ, sheds light on the intricacies of Mills Manufacturing, a parachute factory in Asheville, North Carolina. With a diverse workforce reliant on temporary immigration protections, the recent Supreme Court ruling threatens to disrupt operations. Ruth discusses the delicate balance between precision manufacturing and the complexities of labor recruitment, underscoring individual stories of workers navigating language barriers and legal challenges. The looming impact of policy changes creates a palpable tension for both employees and employers.
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Multilingual Workforce at Mills
- Mills’ workforce is diverse, with many immigrants speaking multiple languages, reflecting the factory's multilingual signage.
- They use translation tools and team members to overcome language barriers for smooth communication.
Mills’ Precision-Sealed Mission
- John Oswald, Mills CEO, shared the complexity and extreme precision involved in making military parachutes.
- He emphasized the severe consequences of error, underscoring the factory’s mission to keep troops safe.
Humanitarian Parole Eased Staffing
- Mills Manufacturing struggled to find workers until summer 2023 when recruitment became easier.
- This change coincided with arrival of workers on humanitarian parole programs, easing staffing shortages.