Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was in attendance for President Trump’s cabinet meeting this week. She highlighted her new safety plan for U.S. agriculture and addressed challenges facing the ag workforce.
Rollins says the focus is on protecting the food system and adds that President Trump has made it clear that there is a firm line in the sand.
“Moving forward, automation, ensuring that our farmers have that workforce, and moving toward an American workforce, so all of the above,” said Rollins.
”...But we’re not talking amnesty,” President Trump interjected.
One farm labor group says U.S. farmers are paying the price amid ongoing crackdowns. They are urging Congress to act quickly to fix the problem.
“The farm owners, operators, and the farmworkers are all the ones who are being the victims and being made the victims. This situation is really out of their control, and that is something that, like we said earlier, Congress needs to step up and address this head-on,” said Ben Tindall with Save Family Farming.
Rollins also said the Secretary of Labor is overseeing the H-2A program, but is aware that reform will take Congressional action. Rollins emphasized no amnesty, continued strategic deportations, and a shift toward automation and a fully American ag workforce.
