From SNAP benefits to food affordability, immigration policy and farmers struggling to greenhouse gas emissions, the year has been a hot mess for the US agriculture industry.
As the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, the food system is beginning to feel the lack of workers, but it could just be the beginning, experts said at an Investigate Midwest panel Thursday.
A new study projects that recent and proposed immigration policies could raise food, beverage, and tobacco prices by 14.5% between 2024 and 2028 — adding to current inflation.
Though they make up only 3% of all H-2A workers, white South Africans are the program’s fastest-growing group. Lawsuits in Mississippi claim they’re hired over Black US workers and paid more. The Department of Labor has confirmed allegations in dozens of cases.
A new GAO report warns that rapid growth of H-2A program could impact workers' rights. These workers might be even more important under a second-term Donald Trump, who supported the program in the past.
