Marketplace Fear of ICE raids keeps California farm workers on edge
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Jul 3, 2025 California farm workers face anxiety over potential ICE raids, leading to significant labor shortages as harvest season begins. Trump's immigration policies intersect with the need for undocumented labor in the agricultural sector. The discussion also touches on the surprising growth in job numbers, new hiring trends in local governments, and the economic implications of import tariffs. Additionally, the episode explores the stock market’s performance, revealing the complexities of trade agreements and their effects on everyday costs.
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Farmworker's Fear Amid Raids
- Yitzel, a California farmworker, fears leaving home due to immigration raids.
- She risks working despite fear, while many co-workers stop showing up to avoid deportation.
California Farmworker Demographics
- Over half of California's crop workers are undocumented, often living in the US for over 10 years.
- Farms rely on these experienced workers, not new young labor.
Automation Threatens Labor-Intensive Crops
- High H-2A visa wages and employer costs push farms toward automation or less labor-intensive crops.
- This shift may raise prices and reduce availability of labor-heavy crops like strawberries.