‘Hunted like animals’ ICE raids against farms are worse than you think

The current administration’s stricter immigration enforcement has deeply impacted undocumented farm workers all over the United States, causing widespread fear, financial struggles, and serious personal stress. Workers say they feel constantly chased, with one person in Ventura County, California, saying they feel “hunted like animals” because of the rise in raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to workers The Guardian interviewed, the stronger enforcement has direct financial effects on these workers. Interviews show that raids have led to fewer work hours and less income, pushing many to hide at home. This money problem is especially bad because the cost of living is high in many farming areas, making workers worry about paying for basics like rent. Beyond the immediate money troubles, the constant fear of being arrested has hurt mental health.

Workers say their stress levels are higher, not just for themselves but also for their children, showing a deep sense of worry that has changed family life and overall well-being. A sad event in Ventura County showed the dangers tied to these raids. An ICE operation at a cannabis farm in the area led to a worker dying after falling from a greenhouse.

ICE raids feel less like police enforcement and more like sport

These events caused big protests, with federal agents reportedly using smoke canisters to break up large crowds of protesters, making tensions worse between the community and law enforcement. Even though many US farms heavily depend on undocumented workers to keep running, the administration has tried to reassure farm owners.

A White House spokesperson said the president supports American farmers, stressing their importance in food supply and the country’s success, and promised they would have the workers they need. However, the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement has faced strong criticism from workers’ rights advocates. For example, the president’s idea of letting farmers decide about immigration enforcement was compared by one community organizer to a kind of modern-day slavery, where workers might have to give up their dignity and freedom just to keep their jobs in the country.

The problem is big, with over 2.6 million farm workers in the US, most of whom are Hispanic non-citizen immigrants. About 40% of this important workforce is believed to be undocumented. In recent months, the administration reportedly wanted to increase the number of ICE arrests per day from 1,000 to 3,000. There were claims that raids would change in farming, hospitality, and food service jobs after public backlash, but an order to stop targeting these places was later canceled.

Workers are very upset about being called “criminals” even though they contribute a lot. Many undocumented people pay taxes but often feel ignored by the government until tax time, getting no benefits in return. The fear of being reported to ICE is always there, made worse by what workers see as government propaganda against immigrants.