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The crackdown on undocumented workers in Central California snared dozens of citrus workers, striking fear into many who are afraid of getting caught and being deported.
But did the raids cause the multi-billion dollar citrus industry to come to a “virtual halt” as some news reports and social media posts have alleged?
No, said Casey Creamer, president and chief executive officer of California Citrus Mutual in Visalia.
“We have citrus being harvested all over the place right now including Tulare County, Fresno County, Madera County and down south.” Creamer said. “By no means has the entire industry stopped.”
What prompted the rumors was the early January visit by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Kern County. Agents detained dozens of people suspected of being undocumented.
The result was that some farms saw a dramatic decline in workers, as some hid and avoided going to work for at least a day.
Creamer said one Kern County farmer lost 25% of his workers for a day while another saw a 75% drop on their ranch.
But that was just for a few days and only in Kern County, he said.
“There were others that had no impact,” he added.
California Citrus CEO: Immigration raids target the wrong people, undermine food supply | Opinion
California dominates U.S. citrus industry
This time of year, a major shortage of citrus workers could be disastrous to the multi-billion dollar industry.
California, led by Tulare County, produces 90 percent of the fresh citrus fruit in the United States.
In 2022 the value of navel oranges, lemons and tangerines was $2 billion.
As word spread about the citrus industry’s alleged shortage of workers, Creamer and others have been trying to correct the misinformation.
The United Farm Workers posted a short video on its Threads page showing workers harvesting in the Bakersfield area.
“The folks are out there working,” said Elizabeth Strater, Director of Strategic Campaigns for the UFW. “These are people who don’t have a nest egg and who are able to take time off of work. This is peak season for harvesting citrus, and pruning wine grapes. The crews are out.”
California Farm Bureau: Ag depends on workers
The California Farm Bureau issued a statement Thursday that it has not heard of any widespread workforce disruption.
The organization represents more than 26,000 farm and ranch families in the state.
“We recognize that some workers may feel uncertain right now, and we want to be very clear: California agriculture depends on and values its workforce,” said Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau.
“Farm employees are not just workers — they are partners in this industry. They are people with families, dreams and an incredible work ethic that keeps food on tables across America.”
Fears persist among ag workers
Strater added that the fear still persists among those without authorization to work in the country, but they must keep working to support themselves and their families.
“People will keep working and also make plans for what to do if they don’t come home,” she said. “What these workers need is relief from the fear while they continue to work to put food on our tables.”
Creamer admits that the immigration agents will likely return at some point this season. But he hopes that they target those facing criminal charges, not workers.
“We hear they are targeting violent criminals and I think that is something most people don’t have a disagreement on,” he said.
“I just don’t think the general ag employee is at the top of that list.”
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