On California farms, workers say threats to deport them are on the rise

"After more than two decades working on dairy farms, most recently earning about $1,800 every 15 days, he packed his things and quit. 'What if they sent someone after me, or they wanted to get rid of me all of a sudden? I couldn't bear living there anymore.'"

"Farmworkers who turned to advocacy groups for help spoke to The Times about their experiences but did not want to be identified for fear of retribution from their employers and the federal government."

"In a state where roughly 60% of farmworkers are undocumented, according to surveys by UC Merced Community and Labor Center, many already feared being deported or separated from their families."

"The intensity of Trump's campaign has increased the frequency of such threats and the fear they create, workers and advocates say."

Undocumented dairy workers endure long hours and unsafe working conditions, often without breaks or protective gear. Many fear retaliation from employers, especially amid heightened immigration enforcement. A worker described being electrocuted and threatened with deportation if he sought legal action. The climate of fear has intensified under recent immigration policies, with many workers reluctant to report violations. Approximately 60% of farmworkers in California are undocumented, and the threats from supervisors have increased, exacerbating the anxiety surrounding job security and family separation.

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