Markus Rollinger, Washington State Dairy Farmer and President of Save Family Farming, issued the following statement:
“Everyone can agree–America’s immigration system is broken. This deep dysfunction remains unaddressed, despite federal law enforcement’s new effort to arrest and deport undocumented people in our communities.
“While farmers applaud the federal government’s efforts to protect Americans from anyone perpetrating criminal acts, the current crackdown threatens the future of our farms and our entire food system, and fails to provide meaningful reform. The mishandling of deportation policies has created an atmosphere of fear, silencing voices and stripping away the dignity of those who contribute daily to our nation’s food supply.
“This failure is not limited to one party. Leaders on both sides claim to champion workers’ rights, yet often abandon farmworkers—pushing policies that make their lives harder and treating them as collateral in a broader political battle, rather than as human beings deserving of dignity.
“Justice demands a fair and orderly immigration process—one that does not rely on fear or intimidation to control the lives of those who simply seek to work and provide for their families.
“It is time for leaders on all sides to recognize that farmworkers are not political pawns—they and their families are essential members of our communities. We call on federal leaders to immediately pursue real solutions to fix America’s broken immigration system, not performative policies that intimidate the very people who put food on our tables.
“The federal government must protect Americans from criminal aliens without jeopardizing the future of our nation’s farms and food system, as this too is a paramount issue of national security.”