Americans frustrated with rising grocery bills are hopeful that Donald Trump can bring relief. However, hepledge to carry out mass deportations might backfire, producing outcomes contrary to the intended goals. The American agriculture sector heavily relies on immigrant labor, with many undocumented workers filling essential roles in farming and food production. If Trump follows through on his deportation pledge, experts warn that labor shortages would lead to significant price hikes on groceries.
According to CNN, nearly 300,000 undocumented workers are employed in U.S. agriculture, and their removal would disrupt the entire supply chain, causing prices for goods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy to soar. Chuck Conner, president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, expressed that fewer workers means less food production, which inevitably drives up costs. Industries that require manual labor, such as fruit picking and dairy farming, are particularly vulnerable. For example, 90% of dairy farm jobs in Idaho are filled by foreign-born workers, a dependency that has been longstanding.
While president-elect Trump’s supporters argue that deportations could lower demand and curb inflation, economists dismiss this idea. Zeke Hernandez from the Wharton School explains that the loss of immigrant workers would have a far greater impact on food prices than any potential drop in demand. Domestic workers are generally unwilling to take these physically demanding and seasonal jobs, leaving farmers with few options.
To address the labor shortage, industry leaders urge the administration to offer legal status or expand visa programs for foreign workers. Without these changes, the agricultural sector’s workforce crisis will likely result in even higher food prices for consumers.
Source: CNN
