Cherry Farmer’s Workforce Crisis: Consequences of Policies and Exploitation
Due to a labor shortage primarily stemming from heightened immigration enforcement, Oregon cherry farmer Ian Chandler faces a significant financial loss as his crop rots on the trees. The farmer relies on a mostly Latino workforce, many of whom have been deterred by increased immigration raids and fear of deportation. This situation mirrors challenges across the nation’s agricultural sector, where a substantial portion of the workforce consists of undocumented immigrants. Though President Trump has expressed support for farmers, the issue highlights the critical dependence on immigrant labor for maintaining the country’s agricultural output.
John Q. Hosedrinker