What role do undocumented immigrants play in California's agriculture and what do farmers want regarding their legal status?

In California, approximately half of all farm workers are undocumented immigrants, making them essential to the agricultural industry, particularly in areas like Tulare County where dairy farmers heavily depend on migrant labor. These workers are often considered more than just employees to the farmers who employ them. Farmers are advocating for a legal pathway that would allow these workers to remain in the United States legally. Despite the popular sentiment among many Americans to cut off illegal border crossings, these agricultural employers caution against enforcement approaches that could disrupt their workforce, as they view these immigrants as integral parts of both their operations and their communities.