IFPA addresses immigration enforcement

The International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962 issued this member alert on June 13, 2025:

Over the past week, the Trump administration has intensified its immigration enforcement efforts, with a particular focus on workplaces employing undocumented laborers, including farms.

On Thursday, President Trump made comments committing to preventing labor disruptions within the food supply chain, but did not say what changes he would implement or when they would take effect.

IFPA has issued the following statement:

“The fresh produce industry proudly grows, harvests, and distributes billions of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to American families every year. To meet the ongoing demand for our nutritious products, the industry needs a stable, legal, and predictable workforce. We employ U.S. and foreign workers, but labor shortages and legislative uncertainty threaten the agricultural industry’s ability ensure fresh fruits and vegetables reach consumers.

“Enforcement actions targeting agricultural laborers are highly disruptive to farm operations and the produce supply chain consumers rely on. They are also the culmination of decades of inaction from policymakers and a broken labor system. These actions are exacerbating an already fragile labor situation, threatening the long-term viability of U.S. agriculture, and impacting the broader supply chain, from packers and wholesalers to retailers and transportation providers.

“IFPA appreciates President Trump’s comments acknowledging the importance of protecting the agricultural workforce for food security of the American people. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the president on urgent steps to safeguard the food supply and call on Congress to deliver long-overdue, permanent reforms to the country’s broken farmworker system.”

IFPA Action and Contact

IFPA members can contact John Hollay, Director of US Government Relations, to share information or experiences related to immigrant enforcement at their farms or facilities.

IFPA is engaging with the Trump administration and lawmakers to protect the agricultural workforce. Since President Trump was sworn in, IFPA has been closely engaged with agency and administration officials to ensure that enforcement actions do not disrupt the fresh produce and floral supply chain. This has included meetings, as well as public comments highlighting the need to deregulate the H-2A program to meet our workforce needs. Simultaneously, we have been working with Congressional allies to develop bipartisan legislation like the Supporting Farm Operations Act (HR 1624) and appropriations measures to protect our industry’s ability to feed the world. 

Immigration Enforcement Memo: Rights of Employers and Workers

As the administration intensifies its enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, IFPA wants to provide you with essential information about your rights and responsibilities as both employers and individuals.  The JPH Law Firm issued a memo on Jan. 29, 2025, outlining key best practices for employers in response to immigration enforcement actions. While this document has been prepared with input from legal counsel, it does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on specific situations, we encourage you to consult your attorney.

Key Points for IFPA Members

JPH Law Firm Memo