Summary
Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including heightened ICE raids, are disrupting the U.S. agricultural sector.
In California’s Central Valley, a key food-producing region, undocumented farm workers—over half the workforce—are staying home out of fear, leaving crops like citrus unharvested.
Bakersfield saw up to 75% of workers absent, sparking concerns of economic devastation and rising food prices.
ICE is also targeting sensitive areas like schools and churches after rolling back Obama-era protections.
Experts warn these policies could lead to widespread economic repercussions.
On the one hand that’s true.
On the other hand it’s up the country to decide who gets those documents. Anyone without those shouldn’t come in.
If more immigration is desirable, then expand legal immigration.
What if the country in question decides to let them in, but without the proper documents, with the implicit goal of getting their labor for cheap? I think the principle of POSIWID applies here (the purpose of a system is what it does). In other words, the system is/was working as intended, and illegal immigration was desired.
This is such an important concept for people to understand. The system was functioning as intended, for better or worse. There are myriad benefits to keeping people in fear, from financial to behavioral. It’s part of the reason why the US is so resistant to the idea of decoupling healthcare from employment, at least until after you reach retirement age. Productivity, baby!!
Also, thank you for introducing me to the idea of POSIWID. I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of that.
I think this is more agreeing than contradictory. If more immigration is desirable, then expand legal immigration.
As you say, a system built around exploiting illegal workers is bad for everyone.