High-tech greenhouse growers in Washington are navigating labor shortages, influenced by the U.S. immigration enforcement policies. Erik Zavala, a horticulturist in Mattawa, reported a decrease in available workers due to increased immigration actions. Zavala mentioned that growers, regardless of political affiliation, face financial risks due to this labor issue.
The majority of cherry-picking workers are migrants from Mexico, seeking improved wages. Zavala noted a substantial drop in workforce availability. Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) checkpoints at the Oregon border have discouraged many workers from taking up jobs in the region.
Ben Tindall of Save Family Farming highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that both farmworkers and farms require immediate solutions. Tindall stressed the need for prompt and clear actions to prevent further impact on Washington's family farms and their produce.
According to governmental data, approximately 200,000 people were deported in the first five months of 2025. The White House has set a high target for daily immigration-related arrests, intensifying enforcement operations across the nation.
Source: Raw Story
