In the agricultural hub of Oxnard, California, the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is affecting undocumented farm workers and, by extension, various businesses reliant on agriculture. This shift coincides with recent workplace raids conducted under the directive to apprehend undocumented immigrants as part of broader enforcement strategies.
Farm workers report fears of encountering ICE operations on and around farms, leading to a reluctance to leave safe spaces within the fields. This atmosphere of caution, a reaction to ICE activity in the area, has seen farm operations disrupted and has impacted other local businesses intimately connected with the agricultural sector.
ICE agents have approached various farms in Oxnard without warrants, leading to arrests made on adjacent streets. More than 40% of U.S. farm workers are undocumented, with this number climbing to over 75% in California, as reported by the University of California, Merced. This labor demographic is fundamental to maintaining supply chains extending from farms to markets.
Lucas Zucker, a community organizer, commented on the scope of these raids: "They are just sweeping through immigrant communities like Oxnard indiscriminately, looking for anyone they can find to meet their politically driven quotas." The increase in ICE activity parallels actions by the Trump administration mandating the detention of a set number of undocumented individuals daily.
The impact extends beyond the fields. Businesses like Casa Grande Cafe, owned by Raquel Pérez and family, are experiencing downturns in customer traffic. "No one came in today," states Paula Pérez, noting that typical lunch hour patronage has diminished due to the absence of farm workers. For these businesses, which rely heavily on such customers, any dip in attendance links directly to ICE's movement in the neighboring areas.
The consequences of these raids ripple across the supply chain, affecting industries and stakeholders dependent on agricultural output. Raquel Pérez remarked, "They don't realize the domino effect this is going to have." Her observation is echoed by others in the region, as both agricultural production and commerce face new challenges.
Source: BBC
