Scores of immigrant farm workers in the U.S. are avoiding work after President Trump removed "sensitive area" protections amid his immigration crackdown.

Around 75% of immigrant farm workers in Bakersfield, California, ditched their shifts after Trump ramped up his threats by removing protections against ICE raids in “sensitive areas,” including schools and workplaces.

  • @AA5B
    4•10 days ago

    There are lots of legal migrant workers. One of the many problems with these mass deportations is that even legal immigrants, maybe even citizens, have to be afraid to show up.

    The question is what percentage of these workers are undocumented? I don’t recall reading any actual numbers.

    And to spread the icing on this shit-cake, I do remember reading months ago the claim that most illegals are people overstaying a work or student visa. Are we demonizing these people for nothing?

    • @leadore
      3•10 days ago

      The question is what percentage of these workers are undocumented?

      That’s covered in the article:

      The USDA estimated that between 2020-2022 about 32% of crop farmworkers were U.S. born, 7% were immigrants who had obtained citizenship, 19% were authorized immigrants, mostly permanent residents or green-card holders and the remaining 42% were unauthorized to work. The majority of these workers have Latino backgrounds.

      • @AA5B
        2•10 days ago

        Apparently I replied before finishing reading - gotta leave that redditism behind ….

        So yeah, an estimated 42%, which is significant. However 75% didn’t show for work because of fear. How can they not recognize themselves as the bigger problem?

        • @leadore
          1•9 days ago

          Not sure what you mean, who do you mean by “they” and bigger problem?

          • @AA5B
            2•9 days ago

            They == people starting ICE raids. Bigger problem == disrupt the economy + terrorize 33% of the workforce who are legally working

            • @leadore
              2•9 days ago

              Thanks for clarifying. I’m not sure they care too much about its effect on the economy, but terrorizing them, even the legally working, is definitely intentional and part of their strategy. They’ve openly talked about wanting to intimidate people into “self-deporting”.