President-Elect Donald Trump has hit the ground running since sweeping the election earlier this month. However, some worry that his plan to deal with illegal immigration could come at a cost to the ag industry.
Trump made illegal immigration a centerpiece in his campaign. This week, he said he will consider using military force to carry out mass deportations. USDA numbers show more than a third of all hired farm help here in the U.S. is made up by illegal immigrants.
The share of illegal farm laborers has risen over the last several decades. In the late 80s and early 90s, around 14 percent of ag workers lacked lawful immigration status. Today, that share is 40 percent. One Iowa cooperative warns the new Administration should move ahead with caution, and Bloomberg says the U.S. ag sector stands to lose the most if mass deportations become reality.
