The head of the Minnesota Farmers Union says the ice crackdown could have a devastating impact on farmers.
Gary Wertish says they often rely on immigrant labor for planting and harvesting.
With the current situation as is, he says many could decide it's not worth the risk.
“We all agree if it's a hardened criminal, yes, that needs to be dealt with,” says Wertish. “But this seems to be more of a political repatriation than it is of actually solving a problem.”
Wetish says it's heartbreaking to see so many of the workers leaving, who want and need the work, and the Minnesota Ag community has depended on it.
And while the H-2A Temporary Agriculture program allows farmers to hire workers from other countries to help with spring planting and fall harvest, Wertish says that recent operations could deter people from applying, even if they've been coming to the state legally in past years.
“They might look at it differently and not want to come in,” Wertish adds. “Start looking elsewhere, you know, to another state or another country.
He says if planting crops is delayed, that could impact the supply of produce and the cost ultimately to consumers.
“If they're not able to get their products planted, that could result in shortages and that's just in Minnesota. That could be nationwide. A lot of this we don't know until it happens, and that's the unfortunate thing,” Wertish explains. “And that's going to have far reaching effects on our food supply in some way and form.”