Former President Donald Trump, our current President since the January 20th inauguration, has made 36 executive orders, with 11 signed into law as of this writing on January 31st, 2025. Some of the most impactful executive orders have initiated the mass deportation of illegal immigrants, significantly reshaping U.S. policy on both legal and illegal immigration, as well as the handling of immigrants both domestically and abroad. On January 20th, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This order expanded the removal of illegal immigrants, paving the way for mass deportations without a court hearing.
The order states that the Department of Homeland Security will direct federal agents to maximize the use of existing detention centers to detain illegal immigrants or those suspected of being illegal. It also enforces fines and asset seizures for individuals deemed to be in the country unlawfully. Undocumented immigrants must register their presence legally; failure to do so will result in being treated as criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Additionally, sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal immigration laws will be denied access to federal funds.
This executive order is just one of eight that Trump has signed into law. For more detailed information about the immigration changes, refer to official government sources. The focus of this article, however, is how Trump’s immigration policy will impact the American farming industry. Nationally, 49% of farm workers are reported as undocumented immigrants, while 70% of farm workers, laborers, and builders identify as Hispanic.
If Trump follows through on his plan to deport the entire undocumented immigrant population—estimated to be around 11.1 million people—the farming industry will experience massive labor shortages. With most of the workforce removed, few people will be willing or able to take on these low-paying jobs, leading to fears of crop shortages, food instability, supply chain disruptions, and higher costs for both manufacturers and consumers.
To understand this potential crisis, it is crucial to acknowledge the existing impact of undocumented immigrants on the American economy. In the United States today, undocumented immigrants account for nearly half of all agricultural jobs. With 70% of farm workers in both labor and managerial positions identifying as Hispanic, the removal of such a significant portion of the workforce would cripple the industry. Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, has confirmed
While the Trump administration has expressed its goal of deporting all illegal immigrants, the justification for this policy is flawed. During an Interview with Sean Hannity, Trump suggested that 48% of illegal immigrants have killed more than one person. Using the widest estimated number of 11 million undocumented immigrants, this statistic would imply that 5.28 million individuals have killed at least two people each—totaling 10.56 million victims. However, FBI crime data from 2024 reports only 24,849 homicides nationwide regardless of immigration status.
This vast discrepancy underscores the misinformation surrounding the administration’s immigration policies. Studies from MigrationPolicy.org and other research institutions have repeatedly found that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens. In 2020, immigrants were 60% less likely to be imprisoned for violent crimes like murder or drug-related offenses. The administration’s narrative is not only misleading but also dangerous, fueling unnecessary fear and hostility toward immigrant communities.
Understanding the Trump administration’s false pretenses on immigration naturally raises the question: What are the potential consequences of a fully realized mass deportation plan? With half of all farm workers currently undocumented, their removal would trigger massive labor shortages, food supply disruptions, and economic instability. Farmers cannot replace such a significant workforce overnight—especially at the same low wages. As a result, food production would decline, and supply chains would falter, leading to higher costs and possible farm closures.
Additionally, the administration’s justification for linking undocumented immigrants to crime is not supported by any credible research. Studies consistently show that both legal and undocumented immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens across all racial and economic groups. If mass deportations are implemented based on misinformation, they will not only foster national division but also cripple essential industries. The economic costs of replacing and rebuilding the agricultural workforce—combined with the social and moral repercussions of expelling a largely peaceful population—could create unforeseen challenges for the entire country.
