USDA Secretary said the United States is planning for a “100% American workforce."
South Dakota ag leaders are expressing doubt over whether this can be achieved in the farm industry.
SDPB asked Gov. Larry Rhoden about potential impacts of an immigration crackdown on farm workers.
In a press conference, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said mass deportations of undocumented immigrants are planned for every industry. She said that extends to agriculture and there will be “no amnesty” for migrant workers on farms.
If that were to happen, it could hurt South Dakota’s #1 industry which relies on the immigrant workforce.
Gov. Larry Rhoden said while he hasn’t seen Secretary Rollins’ remarks, he understands where she is coming from.
“Well I think in her position that needs to be the goal, that every migrant worker is here legitimately. And we’ve seen cases where that’s not the case," Rhoden said.
However, Rhoden said something that concerns him is how business owners who employ undocumented immigrants have been treated in the past.
“What’s troubled me more than anything else is when the business owners have been attacked unfairly about having illegal migrant workers here. You know, they were given false information from that worker," Rhoden said. "I think it’s imperative that we do take the steps to be sure the people that we’re hiring, bringing to the United States are here legally.”
Current labor laws require ag companies to ensure immigrant applicants have real documentation. If they’re presented with counterfeit documents that look real, they have to accept it. If those real documents are rejected, the farmer is liable to get sued.
Regardless, Rhoden said the plan is to continue supporting the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement.
“I’ve not heard from the industry any great concerns about where we’re at right now," Rhoden said. "You know obviously we’ve taken the steps as a state to cooperate with ICE in the 87G program and providing assistance to them where we can through our Highway Patrol.”
Rhoden said he’s “fully supporting Secretary Noem in her attempts to get rid of the illegal immigrants.” He also said he believes Rollins’ announcement is her putting undocumented workers “on notice.”
