Key facts
- A survey of 2,250 US farm workers found that 92% are affected by immigration raids and deportations.
- 90% of farm workers surveyed worry about family separation due to intensified immigration enforcement.
- Many farm workers are avoiding essential services like shopping and medical care due to fear of immigration enforcement.
- A significant majority of respondents have been US residents for over a decade.
- 76% of farm workers desire protection from deportation and detention, while 53% hope for a pathway to legal status.
A new survey by the United Farm Workers Foundation reveals significant fear among US farm workers due to intensified immigration enforcement, including increased raids and deportations under the Trump administration. The survey, which gathered responses from 2,250 farm workers, many of whom are undocumented, highlights the profound impact these policies have on their daily lives and employment.
The vast majority of respondents, 92%, reported that raids and deportations have affected their employment, while 90% expressed deep concern about family separation. These anxieties have led to tangible changes in behavior, with 61% of farm workers stating they are shopping less and 29% avoiding necessary medical attention for fear of encountering immigration enforcement. Furthermore, 17% indicated a fear of being subjected to forced labor in immigration detention if arrested.
These fears are particularly acute given that many respondents are long-term US residents, with 80% having lived in the country for over 10 years and 41% for more than two decades. Farm worker Yasmine, a mother of two US citizen daughters, shared her personal anxieties, describing how she has had to discuss potential separation with her children and how the fear has impacted family celebrations. She also noted delays in her DACA work permit renewal, despite being a recipient.
The survey also shed light on the demographic makeup and aspirations of the US farm worker population, which numbers over 2.6 million. Most are Hispanic (73%), noncitizen immigrants (66%), and a significant portion lack work authorization (47%). A large majority expressed a desire for greater security, with 76% wanting protection from deportation and detention, and 53% hoping for a pathway to legal status and US citizenship. Many also indicated that legal status would enable them to visit family in their home countries, a possibility currently hindered by their immigration status.
Erica Lomeli Corcoran, CEO of the UFW Foundation, emphasized that this study is the first in-depth examination of the concerns and hopes of undocumented farm workers, aiming to bring their realities to the attention of those in power. In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that worksite enforcement is a critical component of their strategy to protect public safety, national security, and economic stability, while also identifying potential victims of labor trafficking.