By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, rising beef prices are due to a disease called screwworm brought in by immigrants, necessitating a halt to Mexican beef imports. Experts disagree with the claim, however, with risks stemming from the livestock trade rather than individual migrants. While the screwworm has caused some supply issues, the primary factors driving up beef prices include shrinking cattle herds and increased demand, as noted by Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe. President Donald Trump has acknowledged the issue and has taken steps to import more beef and investigate meatpacking companies to address the rising costs.
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Trump admin says beef prices could hit $10 per pound because of migrants – that’s quite a statement, and it’s one that raises a lot of eyebrows. The core claim, as we understand it, is that immigration is the primary driver behind potentially inflated beef prices. Let’s unpack this and see if it holds water.
The central figure here seems to be Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who reportedly voiced concerns connecting rising beef prices to immigration, specifically citing a disease called screwworm, which is supposedly brought in with migrant cattle. The implication is that this disease, along with other factors related to immigration, is disrupting the beef supply chain and, as a consequence, driving up costs.
Now, this idea is immediately met with skepticism, and rightfully so. The fact that the Treasury Secretary is weighing in on beef prices is already a bit unusual. One can’t help but wonder why the Treasury Secretary is commenting on agriculture and livestock, and how much they understand about the complexities of this industry.
The narrative quickly begins to fall apart when we examine the specifics. The screwworm, which Bessent mentioned, is not spread by migrating cattle; rather, it’s a pest transmitted by flies. And while the disease may pose a threat to cattle, the idea that immigrants are transporting infected cows across the border is, to put it mildly, far-fetched. The image of migrants herding cattle across the border, with the explicit goal of disrupting the beef supply, seems like a scenario ripped from a bad movie.
This explanation raises questions. The whole idea seems to ignore well-established facts about the beef industry and the real challenges it faces. The price of beef is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including supply and demand, the cost of feed, the availability of labor, and trade policies. Tariffs and supply chain issues certainly play a larger role. To lay the blame solely on immigration seems not only simplistic but also a deliberate attempt to deflect from other, potentially more relevant, issues.
Another aspect of this narrative that’s worth considering is the role of labor. Migrant workers, historically, have played a significant role in the agricultural sector, including in meatpacking plants and on ranches. Reductions in the workforce—a trend seen during the previous administration—have undoubtedly impacted the availability of labor, thus possibly affecting production capacity and, consequently, prices. It is, perhaps, more directly related.
The timing of this announcement is interesting, too. Claims of beef prices hitting $10 a pound have already been floated, yet the administration’s response to those concerns leans heavily on blaming a specific group rather than addressing the actual market forces. It’s a deflection.
Also, the claim that the current administration *inherited* this problem requires scrutiny. If the problem is due to factors predating the current administration, then why hasn’t it been addressed?
The accusation regarding screwworms also rings hollow. Reports indicate that the United States and Panama have been working together to maintain a barrier zone to prevent screwworms from spreading to North America since 2006. Additionally, USAID staff worked with ranchers in Mexico and Central America to monitor the issue. This makes the whole statement suspect.
Finally, the whole narrative feeds into a larger pattern of blaming immigrants for various societal ills. It’s a well-worn tactic, and in this case, it seems designed to scapegoat a vulnerable population and distract from what are likely more complex and systemic problems.
In short, the claim that beef prices could hit $10 a pound *because* of migrants seems like a dubious assertion. It glosses over the real-world factors affecting the beef industry, from labor shortages to trade policies, and instead, it blames a group that is already often unjustly targeted.