“Enforcement actions targeting agricultural laborers are highly disruptive to farm operations and the produce supply chain consumers rely on," said IFPA. "They are also the culmination of decades of inaction from policymakers and a broken labor system. These actions are exacerbating an already-fragile labor situation, threatening the long-term viability of U.S. agriculture and impacting the broader supply chain, from packers and wholesalers to retailers and transportation providers.
“IFPA appreciates President Trump’s comments acknowledging the importance of protecting the agricultural workforce for food security of the American people," the association said. "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the president on urgent steps to safeguard the food supply and call on Congress to deliver long-overdue, permanent reforms to the country’s broken farmworker system.”
IFPA members can contact John Hollay, director of U.S. government relations, to share information or experiences related to immigrant enforcement at their farms or facilities.
IFPA is engaging with the Trump administration and lawmakers to protect the agricultural workforce. Since President Trump was sworn in, IFPA has been closely engaged with agency and administration officials to ensure that enforcement actions do not disrupt the fresh produce and floral supply chain. This has included meetings, as well as public comments highlighting the need to deregulate the H-2A program to meet our workforce needs.
Simultaneously, IFPA has been working with Congressional allies to develop bipartisan legislation like the Supporting Farm Operations Act (HR 1624) and appropriations measures to protect our industry's ability to feed the world.
As the administration intensifies its enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, IFPA is providing essential information about employers' and individuals' rights and responsibilities. The JPH Law Firm issued a memo on Jan. 29 outlining key best practices for employers in response to immigration enforcement actions. While this document has been prepared with input from legal counsel, it does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on specific situations, IFPA encourages those concerned to consult their attorney.
