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Borders: National Farmworker Awareness Week 2017

A majority of the nation’s 2.5 million farmworkers are undocumented immigrants. Recent and proposed changes in immigration policy are having a significant impact on farmworkers’ daily lives and livelihoods, as well as on the industries in which they work.

In the past two months, there have been a series of actions by the new administration which greatly broaden the scope of those who are considered a priority for immigration enforcement. Under recently issued executive orders, any undocumented immigrants may be subject to immigration arrest, detention, and removal from the U.S.; regardless of how long they have been in the country or whether or not they have committed any crimes. Recent government measures also call for increased militarization of the border, including the construction of a border wall, as well as the hiring of more immigration officers and the use of local police for immigration enforcement, among other policies.  

Migrant farmworkers often travel throughout different states due to the seasonal nature of agricultural work, but they are now facing increased fear and uncertainty about the possibility of immigration enforcement. Farmworkers are also fearful of traveling within their local communities for day-to-day tasks like running errands, dropping their children off at school, or receiving medical treatment, potentially increasing their vulnerability and isolation.

Farmworker Justice has additionally heard various concerning reports about migrant workers and immigrant rights’ activists, including farmworkers in New York and Vermont, being targeted by immigration enforcement. This type of heightened immigration enforcement may lead to an increase in labor abuses as farmworkers become fearful of speaking out and suffering retaliation.  Employer concern about immigration enforcement is also expected to result in an even higher use of the H-2A guest worker program, with increasing pressure by agribusiness for the Administration to cut the already inadequate labor protections and oversight in the program.  

In these uncertain times, Farmworker Justice would like to remind all farmworkers of the importance of knowing and protecting their rights, regardless of their immigration status. To this end, Farmworker Justice has compiled a list of available “Know Your Rights” materials produced by partner organizations, as well as original materials in English and Spanish to help farmworkers and their communities better prepare for and respond to increased immigration enforcement.

A majority of the nation’s 2.5 million farmworkers are undocumented immigrants. Recent and proposed changes in immigration policy are having a significant impact on farmworkers’ daily lives and livelihoods, as well as on the industries in which they work.

In the past two months, there have been a series of actions by the new administration which greatly broaden the scope of those who are considered a priority for immigration enforcement. Under recently issued executive orders, any undocumented immigrants may be subject to immigration arrest, detention, and removal from the U.S.; regardless of how long they have been in the country or whether or not they have committed any crimes. Recent government measures also call for increased militarization of the border, including the construction of a border wall, as well as the hiring of more immigration officers and the use of local police for immigration enforcement, among other policies.  

Migrant farmworkers often travel throughout different states due to the seasonal nature of agricultural work, but they are now facing increased fear and uncertainty about the possibility of immigration enforcement. Farmworkers are also fearful of traveling within their local communities for day-to-day tasks like running errands, dropping their children off at school, or receiving medical treatment, potentially increasing their vulnerability and isolation.

Farmworker Justice has additionally heard various concerning reports about migrant workers and immigrant rights’ activists, including farmworkers in New York and Vermont, being targeted by immigration enforcement. This type of heightened immigration enforcement may lead to an increase in labor abuses as farmworkers become fearful of speaking out and suffering retaliation.  Employer concern about immigration enforcement is also expected to result in an even higher use of the H-2A guest worker program, with increasing pressure by agribusiness for the Administration to cut the already inadequate labor protections and oversight in the program.  

In these uncertain times, Farmworker Justice would like to remind all farmworkers of the importance of knowing and protecting their rights, regardless of their immigration status. To this end, Farmworker Justice has compiled a list of available “Know Your Rights” materials produced by partner organizations, as well as original materials in English and Spanish to help farmworkers and their communities better prepare for and respond to increased immigration enforcement.

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