A new survey suggests immigration enforcement efforts over the past year have created anxiety and operational challenges for many of California’s farmers, even though relatively few reported directly losing workers to enforcement actions.
According to a report by Michigan State University researchers conducted in partnership with the California Farm Bureau, about 25% of California farmers surveyed said they experienced at least one negative impact linked to immigration enforcement or concerns surrounding it.
The California Farmer Immigration Enforcement Survey, conducted in late 2025 and early 2026, gathered responses from more than 500 farmers across 50 counties in California. Researchers said the state was chosen because it produces a significant share of the nation’s fruits, vegetables and nuts and employs roughly one-third of the country’s farmworkers.
The survey found that less than 1% of farmers reported losing workers directly due to immigration enforcement, but about 15% said workers left or stayed home because of concerns about increased enforcement activity.
Researchers said the broader atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement appeared to create disruption on farms. About 8% of farmers reported operational challenges, including difficulty finding workers, higher labor costs and longer workdays. Some growers also reported shifting operations to nighttime hours to reduce perceived risk.
The survey also indicated impacts on agricultural production. Roughly 14% of respondents said they reduced production, in some cases by planting fewer acres due to uncertainty about workforce stability or by losing crops that could not be harvested.
Farmers reported using several strategies to cope with labor concerns, including relying more heavily on contract workers or the federal H-2A visa program, which allows agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers.
Farm industry representatives also said there has been increased interest in training sessions about worker rights and employer responsibilities related to immigration enforcement.
The survey findings were reported by Caleb Hampton, editor of Ag Alert, the news service of the California Farm Bureau.
