President Trump to issue executive order to protect farm workers

President Trump is taking a stand for farm workers who may be in the country illegally. He says he will be issuing an order soon aimed at keeping farm workers in the fields.

The President did not elaborate on what his order would entail, but it comes after several reports in California where ICE was taking illegal farm workers into custody. President Trump had previously suggested farm workers would be safe, but would need to return to their home countries first if they were here illegally. One California Representative welcomes the plan, saying farm workers are the backbone of the ag industry.

The message comes after immigration crackdowns elsewhere in the country. Earlier this week, ICE agents arrested 70 workers from a meatpacking plant in Omaha. The agency says this was the largest bust in Nebraska since the President’s crackdown began. Officials say that during the operation, several officers were assaulted by those being taken into custody.

Related Stories
For farm country, that caution can mean higher costs, slower service, and less local investment.
Rural population growth supports long-term stability of the ag workforce.
Texas rancher says illegal border crossings have slowed significantly, with fewer encounters reported over the past year.
Labor supply may shift, but uncertainty remains for producers.
Hiring may ease slightly, but labor shortages remain persistent.
Reduced driver supply may increase freight costs this season.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on what the bill could mean for truckers.
With port fees now lifted, economists believe that could help ease tensions. However, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Faith Parum said trade deals with smaller Asian countries are helping stabilize the ag economy.
Ohio AgNet’s Dusty Sonnenberg takes us up in the cab with a popcorn farmer bringing in this year’s haul.
The DOJ’s new antitrust probe could reshape beef-packer behavior, with potential impacts on fed-cattle prices, processor margins, and long-term competition across the supply chain.
Congressman Blake Moore of Utah discusses the bill’s potential to promote both economic growth and healthier forests on this week’s Champions of Rural America.