Migrant workers across the United States are living in constant fear as immigration enforcement operations intensify under the Trump administration. Despite their fears, many say they simply cannot afford to stay home. In places like Oxnard, California, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been seen chasing farmworkers through fields, leading to detainments and widespread panic in agricultural communities.
A farmworker interviewed in Spanish by CNN affiliate KABC explained how desperation forces them to show up for work: “With everything happening, it’s hard for us. But we still go wherever there’s work.” This fear is now spreading across industries such as farming, construction, healthcare, and hospitality—sectors that depend heavily on immigrant labor.
ICE’s ramped-up workplace raids are part of a larger federal effort to fulfill President Donald Trump’s pledge to remove undocumented immigrants. But these actions are having unintended consequences. Businesses and local economies are beginning to suffer, and immigrant workers, many of whom lack legal status, are choosing between staying safe and making a living.
Why does this matter?
Migrant workers, who represent only 4–5% of the U.S. workforce, make up 15–20% or more of the labor force in crucial industries such as agriculture, construction, and food processing. Without them, America’s economy—especially its food supply—could face serious disruption.
Farmworker advocates, including Teresa Romero, President of United Farm Workers, say many workers are terrified but feel trapped. “They have families, rent, children, and bills. They can’t stay home, even if they’re scared,” Romero told CNN. She added that workers are even teaching their children what to do if they don’t come home at the end of the day.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that some shelves are already empty and employees are skipping work out of fear. “Entire sectors of our economy won’t function if our immigrant community is too afraid to work or send kids to school,” she warned. With an estimated 2.4 million farmworkers in the U.S.—40% of whom are believed to be undocumented—this fear could lead to economic collapse in some areas.
President Trump acknowledged that his policies are straining industries, especially farming and hospitality. On social media, he stated, “We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!” However, many farm owners worry that the nation will not have enough workers to maintain food production if these crackdowns continue.
Raids are not limited to fields. ICE has also targeted construction projects, flood control works, and vacation spots. In one instance, 40 individuals were arrested in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. In Omaha, a meat processing plant was left running at just 30% capacity after a raid. These incidents show that workplace detentions not only affect families but also bring operations to a halt.
The restaurant industry also faces strain. According to the Center for Migration Studies, nearly 1 million undocumented workers are employed in the food service sector. “There are simply not enough authorized workers in the U.S. to meet demand,” said Andrew Rigie of NYC Hospitality Alliance.
Even outside retail chains like Home Depot have become hotspots for enforcement. Day laborers often gather in parking lots to find temporary jobs, but these locations have recently become targets. In Westlake, Los Angeles, ICE arrested several workers, triggering days of protests. Similar arrests in Pomona, California, earlier this year led to rallies defending worker rights.
Alexis Teodoro, from the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, emphasized the cultural familiarity of day laborers outside stores like Home Depot. “This is almost as American as apple pie now,” she said.
Despite the outcry, ICE has not revealed how many raids have taken place under Trump’s current term. However, White House border advisor Tom Homan confirmed that “worksite enforcement operations are going to expand massively.” Businesses, workers, and local governments now face a future filled with uncertainty and fear.
As the raids continue, advocates are calling for more humane policies that balance border control with the dignity and economic necessity of immigrant labor. Without real reform, the tension between enforcement and survival will only grow, leaving millions at risk and many industries vulnerable.