Federal immigration arrests at farms and agricultural facilities across the United States this year have renewed debate about labor availability in the sector. Growers in Ventura County are among those expressing concern over long-term workforce trends.
Robert Roy, president of the Ventura County Agricultural Association, said growers have supported efforts to pass legislation providing legal status for long-term farm workers and their families. "We keep getting down to the one-yard line, but we can't get into the end zone," Roy said.
Michigan State University agriculture professor Zach Rutledge said the supply of new farm workers is shrinking. Federal data shows that between 2020 and 2022, about 70 percent of farm workers were foreign-born, and more than 40 percent were not authorized to work. Growers have voiced concerns about immigration raids, including large-scale actions in Ventura County, and how enforcement may affect labor availability. The Trump administration has moved to change wage requirements in the H-2A visa program, which allows employers to bring in seasonal workers. Some growers are calling for broader reforms.
Roy said the recent enforcement actions have not caused immediate shortages in Ventura County, but long-term concerns remain. "Many of the workers are getting aged out. Their sons and daughters don't want to do field work. Americans don't want to do it," he said.
Tate noted that her orchards rely on workers with specialized knowledge of tree management and irrigation systems, and several are nearing retirement. Rutledge said labor shortages have been building in California for more than ten years, particularly for labor-intensive crops. More than half of farmers polled in 2021 reported shortages.
Use of the H-2A program has increased, with more than 300,000 visas issued in the 2022–2023 fiscal year, up 50 percent from five years earlier. Some growers argue the program is not suited to year-round skilled positions, while labor groups say its structure leaves workers vulnerable to housing and wage issues.
Lower wage requirements proposed by the Trump administration could expand the use of the program. Some labor groups objected, with Carmen Martinez of Centro de los Derechos del Migrante saying, "Employers see an opportunity. They want it to be cheaper and more streamlined." Roy said the previous wage rate "just wasn't affordable."
Several immigration bills have been introduced in recent years. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed the House in 2021 but stalled in the Senate. A new version was introduced in May. The Dignity Act was revived in July, combining border security measures with legal status pathways. Roy said his association now supports the updated Dignity Act.
The Migration that Works coalition has called for a system that allows workers to self-petition for visas. Tate said growers in her area have diverse needs and expressed hope for a long-term workforce policy that considers the needs of workers, employers, and local communities.
Source: VC Star
