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Farm Bureau monitoring Trump moves on immigration

A spokesman with the nation’s largest farm organization says they are monitoring recent moves by the Trump Administration to deport undocumented immigrants.

Will Rodger is Director of Policy Communications for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“We’ve heard anecdotally of a raid here and there but we’re not seeing any real trends in terms of an uptick. Could that last? We don’t know. We’re just sitting and waiting,” says Rodger.

According to the Farm Bureau, more than 50 percent of farm laborers in the country today are unauthorized. Rodger says few U.S. workers are willing to fill available jobs.

“We hear of high school kids who are turning down $15 to $20 bucks an hour to go work in the fields. But the truth is, that offer doesn’t even happen very often. Typically people are making $10, $11 or even more an hour and the best pickers can make up to $20. But it’s tough work, it’s back breaking stuff,” says Rodger.

Rodger says the U.S. has been forced to increase its imports of fruits and vegetables because of the shortfall in ag labor.

Audio: Will Rodger, Director Policy Communications, American Farm Bureau Federation

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