The dairy industry will be keeping a close eye on the immigration issue as summer plays out

Immigration is top of mind for the White House. President Trump has indicated recently that he is open to exploring ways to get foreign workers onto farms legally.

The National Milk Producers Federation says that it is encouraging news, but warns that there is a lot at stake right now, affecting different industries.

According to Chris Galen, “That affects dairy. It affects the meat-packing industry. It affects horticulture. Further down the food chain, it affects folks who work in hotels and restaurants.”

He adds that deportations have not been at the pace they were expecting, and says that the group will wait to see how the summer plays out.

Related Stories
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.