Pull Up the Roots
Breakfast for dinner.
The lackluster pay was the main reason Americans didn't do those jobs.
Working for $3/hr while trying to support a family is not possible. Now, Americans will be paid a decent wage to do those same jobs. And Americans will likely do a better job to be honest.
These comments oversimplifies the issue and pushes a myth that's been debunked again and again. The idea that Americans just need "decent wages" to take on backbreaking farm labor ignores decades of evidence showing how farm owners have structured their entire business model around paying as little as possible, avoiding overtime laws, denying benefits, and relying on labor from people who have limited legal recourse if they're exploited. That won't magically change because of deportations or crackdowns.They'll be working for more than $3/hr.
Look at places where immigration crackdowns have happened, wages haven't significantly gone up. When immigrant labor was pushed out, crops rotted, and local unemployed Americans barely lasted a week in the fields. Why? Because it's not just about pay, it's about the brutal conditions, lack of job security, seasonal gaps in employment, and complete absence of worker protections.
The only way to really fix this is to enforce strong labor protections and safety standards. Provide benefits like health insurance and paid leave. Offer real job stability and full-time employment. Raise wages significantly *and* subsidize housing and transportation for seasonal workers. And finally recognize that many people won't do this work unless it's made as dignified and secure as any other job. I mean, why do this job when you can find something else that pays the same (offers some benefits and protections), but not as labor intensive?
Agribusiness doesn't want to offer all of that though, because they benefit from the exploitation. They want the cheapest possible labor and will resist any systemic change that affects their bottom line.
Saying "Americans will now be paid a decent wage and do a better job" sounds good in theory, but in practice, it's been tried -- and failed -- without serious labor reform.
It's not false, though.
Studies and reports also show that domestic workers are generally less willing to take on the physically demanding and low-wage jobs, especially in sectors like agriculture and food processing.
Here's a survey of farmworker shortages in the US that found that there was a significant decline in the number of domestic workers willing to work in agriculture, which led to an increasing reliance on immigrant labor. Between 2002 and 2014, the U.S. lost over 146,000 farmworkers, and only about 2.7% of that gap was filled by domestic workers. The gap has only widened since:
Migrant Workers’ Vital Role in Agriculture: A Conversation with Alejandro Gutiérrez-Li | Baker Institute
The American food supply chain is at risk due to increased farmworker shortages. This new brief explains the issues and suggests policy options to meet the needs of, and for, these vital workers.www.bakerinstitute.org
A study by the Economic Policy Institute highlights that even when employers attempted to hire domestic workers for agricultural roles, they often found a lack of interest in such labor-intensive work:
Immigrants are not hurting U.S.-born workers: Six facts to set the record straight
The immigrant share of the labor force reached a record high of 18.6% in 2023, according to our analysis of Current Population Survey (CPS) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.{{1}} Anti-immigration advocates have been out in full force, using this as a talking point for deeply misguided...www.epi.org
And in some instances, domestic workers did apply for these positions, but many left shortly after due to the grueling nature of the work:
Labor-Intensive Industries: How immigration plays a critical role
Discover more of NAE's groundbreaking research.www.newamericaneconomy.org
This pattern is not limited to agriculture, either. It also extends to other physically demanding industries like meat processing. These sectors rely heavily on migrant workers because native workers are often reluctant to take on jobs with long hours, poor conditions, and relatively low pay. I am not arguing for this to continue. I am only highlighting that this is the reality we live in. And that we can't ignore it, if we want to fix it. Remember the story about the chicken processing plants in the south hiring more domestic workers after a migrant crackdown? Well, it was reported soon after that most had quit, because of the grueling work, even though the pay was good.
I think to make those jobs more attractive to domestic workers, it would require a comprehensive approach that tackles several key issues. First, increasing wages is essential, but it should also be accompanied by improved working conditions, including better safety measures, tools, and regular breaks to reduce physical strain. Offering comprehensive benefits like healthcare, paid time off, and retirement plans can also help make these jobs more sustainable for long-term domestic workers. Incorporating *some* automation and assistive technology can be used to reduce the physical demands of these roles as well.
I know this might not seem serious, but fostering a positive image of this work and breaking the stigma that it's "low-class" is crucial for long-term retention too. Changing the public perception of these jobs through education and media campaigns can help combat the stigma that makes them unattractive. This might seem unimportant, but it matters, especially given how vain most Americans are. Improving infrastructure in rural areas where these jobs are located can also help attract workers from urban areas too. All these efforts together can create a more sustainable workforce and reduce reliance on migrant labor. Do Americans have the will to do all this? And accept paying a little more for things? I am.
