The cherry and pear harvest season in Wasco County, Oregon, faces hurdles due to labor shortages. Ian Chandler, who manages a 300-acre (121 hectares) orchard, anticipated commencing the cherry season with approximately 100 workers. However, the turnout was less than half, attributed partly to heightened immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, affecting migrant workers from California.
Chandler remarked, "People have been trickling in. But in the beginning, we had a lot of people who were scared to come up." The situation mirrors a broader issue in the Pacific Northwest, where fears surrounding immigration enforcement have impacted the labor supply. Reports indicate that recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in California have further alarmed potential workers.
Miguel, a worker preferring anonymity, detailed the risky conditions faced by crews traveling from central and southern California. "We were nervous we'd get pulled over," he shared. Despite such challenges, some workers are committed to remaining for the harvest duration, intending to transition to pear harvesting.
Labor disruptions have already had practical consequences for Chandler's operations. Though the workforce has grown to about 80 laborers, delays have jeopardized a portion of the harvest. Chandler noted, "It's no longer viable, so we have to find a secondary market, and if we can't find that secondary market, it's gonna stay on the tree and it's gonna be a loss." The cherry harvest's short shelf life exacerbates these issues.
Simultaneously, farmers in the region experience difficulties with the H-2A visa program, which allows hiring temporary foreign workers amid local worker shortages. According to Ryan Ogburn, visa processing delays are occurring, possibly due to staffing challenges at the U.S. consulate in Tijuana and increased scrutiny of applications.
Chandler and others express concern about inconsistent enforcement policies. "What we are living through right now is a result of a failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform," Chandler stated, emphasizing the negative impact on both agricultural operations and community members.
Source: OPB
