World Immigration News

It's harvest season. Cherry farms are short of workers amidst an immigration crackdown

Release Date
2025-07-06
Media
VPM
Summary
Under the Trump administration’s increased immigration enforcement, many farmworkers—especially undocumented ones—are too afraid to travel or show up for work, leading to a severe labor shortage in Washington state's cherry orchards. Though there have been no major ICE raids on farms in Washington, reports of enforcement actions elsewhere have created a climate of fear.

Growers, like Carlos Torres, say they are short-staffed and unable to harvest their crops fully, which threatens their businesses. The visa program designed to bring in seasonal migrant labor (H-2A) is seen as too costly and complex due to housing and transportation requirements.

While some farmers blame media and social media for spreading fear, they don't necessarily fault the Trump administration directly. They acknowledge the need for a legal, affordable, and reliable way to bring in necessary workers. Without it, they risk financial loss and reduced harvests.
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