President Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants is already impacting some businesses as increased deportations deprive them of workers.
The Los Angeles Times reported the chilling impacts on businesses after Trump ordered an aggressive crackdown on as many as 11 million undocumented people in February.
The LA Times made reference to two memos released by Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly directing immigration officers to broaden their enforcement and to conduct more raids on immigrant communities. The policy envisages placing undocumented people in detention whether or not they have a criminal record.
Officials have also talked about an expedited deportation process that would bypass the courts, although it would likely face a legal challenge.
The Los Angeles Times reported the Californian economy faces being hit particularly hard by increased deportations. Many industries that rely on immigrants were experiencing a labor shortage before Trump’s inauguration.
Undocumented workers make as much as 10 percent of the labor force in California, according to USC researchers. They are the backbone of the workforce in agriculture and construction. As many as 45 percent of all farmworkers and 21 percent of those in the construction trade are undocumented.
Texas also faces a major impact from increased deportations, according to recent studies. Last year we noted research that found restricting the undocumented workforce in Texas would lead to significant economic losses to the state. The research estimated the total net fiscal effect of the state’s undocumented population brings in about $32.9 billion every year.
Increased Deportations May Impact Texas and California Business
California has about 2.7 million undocumented immigrants, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. In 2009, the Department of Homeland Security estimated there were about 1.68 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas.
Research from the Pew Center found Texas, California, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois combined accounted for 59 percent of the undocumented population in the United States.
A recent report in Bloomberg stated increased deportations stand to drive up the wages of farmworkers. Wages for agricultural workers rose 36 percent over the last decade as the Obama administration cracked down on unlawful migrants.
However, the Trump administration’s expanded deportation plan for undocumented immigrants threatens to put some growers out of business if its actions are not accompanied by increases in workers available. Bloomberg warned more food might be sourced from overseas.
The H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers could help alleviate the agricultural workers crisis. However, the program is oversubscribed and in need of reform, claimed Bloomberg.
The Austin-based immigration attorneys at Peek Law Group have years of success in helping immigrants. We can help you avoid complications that could endanger your rights and presence in the United States. For further information, call (512) 399-2311.