Labor Struggles Amid Tough Immigration Policies
It’s tomato season in California’s Central Valley, and farmworker Lidia is in the fields harvesting crops. But she’s not just worried about the work. “What if they stop me and ask for my papers?” she says, expressing anxiety over potential deportation after living in the U.S. for more than 23 years. She emphasizes the need to support her family.
As Labor Day approaches, discussions about workers’ rights have become especially relevant. Recent immigration policies enforced by the Trump administration are affecting the labor force significantly. According to Pew Research Center, over 1.2 million immigrants left the workforce between January and July 2025, including both undocumented and legally residing individuals. Immigrants account for nearly 20% of the U.S. workforce, with 45% of agriculture jobs filled by these workers.
Economic Impact
Pia Orrenius, a labor economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, points out that immigrants typically make up at least 50% of job growth in the U.S. However, a combination of strict immigration enforcement and decreased border crossings has significantly slowed this growth. “We’ve seen a halt in new immigrants coming in, which is crucial for job creation,” she explains.
This decline can have troubling ramifications. For instance, a recent study highlights that the number of construction jobs dropped in about half of U.S. metropolitan areas. Riverside-San Bernardino saw a loss of 7,200 jobs, while Los Angeles lost over 6,000 jobs.
Crop Waste and Fear in the Fields
Back to the fields, many farmers worry about the labor shortage. Elizabeth Rodriguez, an advocate for farmworkers, notes that the enforcement campaigns have brought work to a standstill, especially during peak seasons. “In May, a lot of crops went to waste because there weren’t enough workers to harvest them,” she says.
Managers like Lisa Tate, who runs multiple farms in California, see the effect firsthand. Fear of raids leads to reduced working hours and smaller crews. “People are worried about being taken away from their jobs,” she shares, highlighting the emotional strain on families and the agricultural sector.
Health Care at Risk
The impact isn’t limited to agriculture and construction alone. Immigrants represent approximately 43% of home health care aides. As Arnulfo De La Cruz, head of the Service Employees International Union, stresses, the healthcare system could face a major crisis if immigrant workers are lost. “What will happen when people can’t find home care providers? Who will work in our hospitals?”
Concluding Thoughts
The ongoing labor struggles exemplify the deep interconnection between immigration policy and the U.S. economy. The loss of immigrant workers is not just a statistic; it’s affecting families, communities, and vital services across the nation. As policymakers consider the future, the voices of individuals like Lidia and numerous others must be heard, advocating not just for better policies but for a more inclusive approach to labor and immigration.
Learn more about immigrant labor trends from Pew Research Center.
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General news, Immigration, Donald Trump, Labor, Mexico, Domestic News, Finance Business, Latin America, TX State Wire, Texas, Central America, California, Federal Reserve System, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Stephanie Kramer, Business, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Politics, U.S. news, Lisa Tate, Service Employees International Union, Finance, Los Angeles, Ken Simonson, McAllen, U.S. News
