Trump’s Immigration Crackdown: Will CA Farmers Push Back?

BREAKING NEWS: Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President Dies at 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100.

Known for his soft-spoken demeanor and signature Georgia drawl, Carter was a peanut farmer who rose to the nation’s highest office, serving a single term overshadowed by economic struggles at home and the Iranian hostage crisis abroad. While many viewed his presidency as a challenging chapter, his post-White House years redefined his legacy.

It was Carter's extraordinary work after leaving office—earning him the Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless efforts to resolve international conflicts—that ultimately cemented his place in history.

More details on his passing can be found online:

The Immigration Clash: Trump’s Policies vs. California’s Backbone

President-Elect Trump’s battle against sanctuary cities is intensifying, with Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff for policy, firing off stern warnings to leaders across California. The message? Immigration enforcement is non-negotiable.

But there’s a twist. California farmers are raising red flags, warning that cracking down on undocumented workers could wreak havoc on the state’s agriculture—and the nation’s food supply. Could their concerns throw a major wrench into Mr. Trump’s plans to round up undocumented immigrants in the Golden State?

Quick Catch Up

In letters sent to 249 officials nationwide on December 23, Miller’s nonprofit, America First Legal, laid down the law—literally.

• Among the recipients: High-profile names like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

• The message was blunt: harboring or shielding undocumented individuals is a crime, and enforcement will be a top priority.

• It’s a move that puts sanctuary cities squarely in the spotlight as this immigration battle intensifies.

This is part of his letter to LA Mayor Karen Bass:

California’s AG Leaders Sound the Alarm

This latest move underscores Mr. Trump’s broader strategy to tackle illegal immigration, but for California’s agricultural leaders, this crackdown feels like a freight train barreling straight for the state’s economy.

Agricultural leaders say it’s a reality we can’t ignore—history has shown that unemployed Americans will not do the back-breaking fieldwork or demanding assembly-line jobs in meat plants that immigrants are often willing to do.

• The Golden State produces a third of the nation’s vegetables and a staggering three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.

• With 75% of California’s farm workers undocumented (according to La Cooperativa) the state’s agriculture industry is standing on shaky ground in the face of stricter immigration policies. 

🚩 Now, farmers and state leaders are raising red flags about what immigration roundups could mean for agriculture—and the nation’s food supply.

For many farm workers, the H-2A visa program has been their primary pathway to legal work in the U.S. This system allows employers to bring in foreign workers for seasonal agricultural jobs. But it’s not without its problems.

Farmers are urging Mr. Trump and Congress to step up with better options, including:

• Expanding or improving the H-2A visa program.

• Creating exemptions or new legal pathways for farm workers.

• Governor Newsom is now proposing to expand the H-1B program to include farmworkers.

Potential Impact

California’s agricultural dominance doesn’t just feed the nation—it fuels countless businesses and communities. Experts warn the ripple effects would devastate California’s economy, especially in the Central Valley:

• Fresno County brought in a whopping $8.5 billion in gross revenues in 2023.

• Tulare County wasn’t far behind, with nearly $7.9 billion in sales.

Without farm workers, the impact could hit us all where it hurts—our wallets and our dinner tables:

• National food supply could be at risk: think higher prices or empty shelves.

• Farmers won’t have the labor they need to harvest crops, putting agriculture in jeopardy.

But it’s not just farms on the line. Farmers urge leaders to think about all the industries that depend on agriculture:

• Equipment suppliers, chemical companies, and irrigation specialists.

• Secondary businesses like clothing retailers, tool shops, and even local restaurants.

ABC News recently visited the Central Valley to talk to AG leaders and if you have a few minutes watch the report: