Trump Attempts Reversing Impacts to Farms and Economy after ICE Immigration Raids

Part 1 of 2

{Informative} {In depth} Read Time: 6mins plus video time

Please note this article is written based on the current working knowledge and information I have available and focuses on content obtained from within the past 3 months. If you have more relevant or helpful information, please writeme@angleandperspective.com or share in the comments at the end of this article. Thank you.

Also, I’m sharing a lot of videos so you can hear directly from many angles and perspectives on these issues including from: every day Americans, farmers, immigrants, officials, various news anchors and the President himself. You can also enjoy the full playlist I’ve put together on the A&P YouTube channel: Immigrant Farms

Sections:
– Intro
– Missing Migrant Farm Workers
– Will Americans Pick Up the Slack on Farms?
– Trump ‘apologizes’, but still has skeptics
– Honoring the memory of immigrant farmer, Jamie Alanis
– Farmer/Worker Resources link

Intro

Life as we know it is changing rapidly and the pace may be too fast for most of us to keep up with. Farmers and farm workers are not escaping these changing times either. That can have a domino effect on the rest of the country in terms of food supply, grocery store and restaurant prices, as well as changes to our system of imports and exports that we depend on for economic stability.

In a country that’s already seen a huge hike in food prices and increased social welfare dependence since the COVID-19 pandemic (and through subsequent disasters and economic changes), further impacts to food systems could quickly devastate our already fragile food system crisis.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s been happening, but even President Donald Trump has acknowledged the problem he’s helped create, putting a brief pause¹ on his full-fledged immigration raids back in June, ensuring previously protected places, such as farms, and service-related industry got a little slack. A few days slack, to be exact.

Aggressive farm raids, particularly in June, caused major losses to farmers as well as farm workers across the US, and their dependent families. Farmers started speaking out. Even though not all migrant or immigrant workers are under threat, the mere presence of ICE has sent many into hiding who fear deportation.

In fact, the first reported death due to ICE raids came as a non-threatened worker tried to flee, but died through accidental injuries.

Where does all of this leave American crops while everyone involved is impacted?

“Farmers have warned their Republican lawmakers for months that mass deportations and tariff battles would cripple rural states’ agricultural economies. Battered by trade wars, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and a budget that slashes their take-home pay, America’s farmers have been fighting for their livelihoods.” – Max Burns, MSNBC Opinion Writer²

President’s Truth Social quote:

Missing Migrant Farm Workers

In June 2025, US President Donald Trump committed to scaling up massive deportation quotas of criminal immigrants. However, he was faced with the dire consequences of how such actions would impact farms, farmers, farm workers and food security.

Consequently, in several statements, he admitted to recognizing the problem and suggesting a different approach was needed, but a concrete action plan has been vague outside of the initial pause on June 12th and resumption of farm raids on June 16th. (Initial timeline) (Second reversal)³ ⁴ ⁵

Farm sites raided by ICE have not only lost much-needed migrant workers that help bring food to American tables, but just the fear of their presence has sent many other migrant workers into hiding, leaving farmers panicking and some even regretting their political vote.

“If farm workers continue to not show up, crops are going to rot,” Martinez-Bravo, Harvest Interrupted, ABC 10 San Diego, CA⁶

“Immigration enforcement operations on farms have left crops rotting and farm operations disrupted in major agricultural states including California, Texas, and Pennsylvania.” – Newsweek⁷

Western AG Network – Undocumented Farm Workers: Trumps New Plan

Oregon Farmer is FURIOUS After losing $250,000…

*Language disclaimer (f-bomb used by one farmer)* *No affiliation or ad endorsement*

“The people pushing for these raids that target farms and feedyards and dairies have no idea how farms operate,” – Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, (Reuters article: ICE walks back limits on raids targeting farms, restaurants and hotels)⁸

Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. workers are now foreign-born, almost doubling since 1998, according to SHRM’s report. The U.S. labor force continues to evolve, with foreign-born workers playing an increasingly vital role in the nation’s economy. This demographic shift underscores the growing contribution of immigrant workers across various industries and occupations. – The Role of Foreign-Born Workers: Driving Growth in the U.S. Labor Force, SHRM.org article

CNN Meet the farmworkers in hiding as crops rot

DACA Ref⁹

“My Mom [60yrs old field worker] is not a criminal and it hurts. Sorry [tears up]. Back in 2020 when the whole pandemic happened, my parents were being considered essential workers and now they have to hide. Those essential workers, they have to stay at home for their safety.” – Migrant in hiding, CNN, Meet the farm workers hiding while crops rot¹⁰

“A comprehensive plan to fix the nation’s immigration issues has eluded our leaders in Washington for decades, leaving some states… to step in with controversial results . – CBS News¹¹

“My heart is on this farm and the people that work on it.” – David Register, Florida Farmer of generational farm more than a century old, who says his workers are legal and loyal. His crew boss Serbino has worked for him more than 40 years. But David says getting new, younger workers is pretty difficult.

Lupita Vazquez, Volunteer, UNIDOS IMMOKALEE, in speaking to ICE agent, said, “You said you’ve been here for 17 years…I see that you’re wearing a shirt that says agriculture. Agriculture has benefited mostly from undocumented labor for decades and generations and it’s very hypocritical for now there to be an escalation as if they are criminals.”