‘Not just workers’: California Farm Bureau defends agricultural employees amongst ICE raids

(KRON) — The California Farm Bureau is speaking out against the recent wave of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity and supporting the agricultural workforce that they say is “essential to the success and sustainability of farming and ranching in the state.”

In a statement released on Friday, CFB says that there would be unharvested crops, suffering rural businesses, and rising food prices without these indispensable employees.

“California agriculture depends on and values its workforce. Farm employees are not just workers—they are partners in this industry,” said Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau. “The current approach to federal immigration enforcement is having a disruptive effect on California’s rural communities and the farmers, ranchers, workers and families who live and work there.”

According to CFB, one-third of the U.S. agricultural workforce is located in California and the state is the leading producer of fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the country.

“If federal immigration enforcement activities continue in this direction, it will become increasingly difficult to produce food, process it and get it onto grocery store shelves,” Little added “A stable and reliable workforce is crucial to maintaining the nation’s food security.”