The NPR Politics Podcast How The Farm Industry Is Complicating Trump's Immigration Crackdown
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Jun 17, 2025 
Ximena Bustillo, an NPR immigration policy reporter, dives into the complex dance between President Trump's immigration crackdown and the agricultural industry’s reliance on undocumented workers. She discusses the internal conflicts within the administration regarding potential exemptions for farming. Bustillo highlights the economic ripple effects of tighter enforcement on labor shortages, supply chains, and food prices. Listeners gain insight into how these policies challenge farmers and impact local economies, revealing the precarious balance between enforcement and agricultural needs.
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Undocumented Workers in Farming
- About 40% of seasonal specialty crop farmworkers lack legal status according to USDA estimates.
- The percentage is higher in dairy farming, where workers have no visa options and work year-round.
Shrinking Foreign-Born Workforce
- The foreign-born workforce in the U.S. has shrunk by a million people recently.
- This decline affects all industries relying on immigrant labor, not just farming.
Labor Loss Means Higher Prices
- Reducing a sector’s workforce inevitably drives up costs and reduces production.
- This increase in costs leads to higher grocery prices, impacting consumers broadly.