Although President Trump previously announced an order to address the effects of his immigration crackdown on the country’s agriculture industry, Reuters reports the administration has no plans to change deportations.
Organizations within the fresh produce industry were quick to acknowledge this step toward potential reforms and relief for growers who have struggled with labor.
The International Fresh Produce Association said that while enforcement actions targeting ag laborers are disruptive to farm operations, they are the result of inaction from policymakers and the direct result of a broken labor system.
“These actions are exacerbating an already fragile labor situation, threatening the long-term viability of U.S. agriculture, and impacting the broader supply chain, from packers and wholesalers to retailers and transportation providers,” the association said in a statement.
IFPA said it welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the administration on steps to safeguard the food supply, and it calls on “Congress to deliver long-overdue, permanent reforms to the country’s broken farmworker system.”
Michael Marsh, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, said his organization is encouraged by the comments from Trump on recognizing the importance of ag labor.
“We know our people are very hard working, contribute to our communities and our economy, and recognize they are key to achieving a successful outcome for America,” he said.
Marsh, too, said NCAE looks toward solutions to the issues plaguing the agriculture industry.
“We are encouraged by the recent comments from the president recognizing the critical importance of the agricultural workforce,” he said. “He is spot on. We are anxious to work with the administration to collaboratively find a successful solution that enhances national security while recognizing that America’s food security is intrinsic to that very security. America’s farm and ranch families are committed, as they always are, putting on their boots, rolling up their sleeves and getting the job done.
The U.S. Apple Association, too, said the organization was “encouraged that President Trump acknowledged the essential role of farmworkers. USApple has long called for practical labor solutions and will continue to push for them.”
The National Potato Council, which has advocated for comprehensive agricultural labor reform, also applauded Trump’s comments, noting the industry relies on a stable and experienced workforce.
“The president’s comments are a welcome acknowledgment of the realities faced by our growers,” said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council. “Disruptive enforcement actions that remove experienced agricultural workers create uncertainty for our family farms and threaten the stability of our food supply. We look forward to working with the Trump administration and Congress on solutions that provide a legal and reliable workforce for U.S. potato growers and the broader agricultural sector.”
In its statement, the National Potato Council said it has advocated policies that incentivize workers to remain in American agriculture, noting that many workers have deep ties to their communities in the U.S.
“American agriculture, including the potato industry, relies on a stable and experienced workforce to plant, harvest and process our crops,” Quarles said. “We appreciate President Trump’s recognition of the critical role farm workers play in ensuring our nation’s food security and his commitment to addressing this issue with an approach that respects the long-standing contributions of these individuals.”
Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, also welcomes Trump’s understanding of the vital role of long-time foreign-born workers in U.S. agriculture.
“During his press briefing, he acknowledged that recent aggressive immigration enforcement is stripping farms of experienced labor that can’t easily be replaced — and he signaled that ‘changes are coming’ to strike a balance between protecting American farmers and targeting criminal elements,” Conner said. “NCFC believes that the changes the president refers to must, at the end of the day, lead to the end of widespread enforcement actions on farms and at ag processing facilities that are not targeting violent criminals.”
