Joe Del Bosque, a lifelong farmer in California’s San Joaquin Valley, has a big concern: what happens to America’s food supply if mass deportations become a reality?
“This would disrupt our entire food system,” Joe shared during an interview with France24. “I don’t think anyone wants empty shelves or sky-high food prices.”
Joe isn’t alone. Nearly half of America’s 2.4 million farm laborers are undocumented immigrants, according to the Labor Department. Without them, fields won’t get harvested, and food prices could soar.
Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, has ambitious plans to deport up to 9 million immigrants, calling his approach “shock and awe.” While this policy sounds bold, its impact on agriculture could be devastating. Farmers like Joe say these aren’t jobs most Americans want to do.
Tom Barcellos, a dairy farmer, admits that while mechanization might be a future solution, it’s not ready to replace human workers anytime soon. “Machines have helped us milk cows, but they can’t pick fruits and vegetables yet,” he said.
California, the nation’s largest food producer, plays a critical role in feeding Americans. Joe believes protecting farmworkers is essential to keeping the food chain strong.
“Without these workers, farms stop. Food stops. And prices? They’ll skyrocket,” Joe said.
For now, farmers hope for a solution that balances border policies with keeping America’s food system steady and affordable. After all, food is something everyone depends on.
