1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

Growing up in Pennsylvania’s farm country, I learned that every season, every planting, and every harvest depends on a team of workers who care for the land alongside family. Our farms—my family’s and those of our neighbors—rely heavily on immigrant labor to keep crops planted, livestock fed, and produce delivered to market. Recent immigration enforcement policies are putting that system at risk. Many farms in Pennsylvania depend on immigrant workers—both documented and undocumented—to maintain operations. According to industry data, nearly 40% of the agricultural workforce is immigrant labor, including H‑2A temporary visa workers. ("witf.org" (https://www.witf.org/2025/07/16/immigration-enforcement-on-pennsylvania-farms-raises-concerns-about-labor-and-food-supply/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Heightened enforcement, raids, and stricter verification requirements have left many workers afraid to show up, creating acute labor shortages. Farms in our region are now struggling to plant, harvest, and transport crops on time. We’ve had to leave portions of fields unplanted and delay deliveries, which directly threatens incomes for families like mine and raises prices for consumers. ("visaverge.com" (https://www.visaverge.com/news/pennsylvania-farmers-decry-immigration-crackdown-as-labor-worsens/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) This is not theoretical. My neighbors have already lost critical harvest windows, and some are considering reducing herd sizes or acreage next season simply because we do not have enough workers. The financial and emotional toll is real: farmers are anxious, families are stressed, and entire communities face ripple effects from lost work and delayed crops. ("kawc.org" (https://www.kawc.org/news/2025-10-13/us-labor-dept-immigration-crackdown-could-result-in-fewer-ag-workers?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Congress has a responsibility to ensure that immigration enforcement policies do not inadvertently destroy the livelihoods of American families, undermine food production, or destabilize rural communities. Oversight should include: - Evaluating the impact of current enforcement policies on labor availability - Ensuring legal agricultural worker programs meet demand - Identifying solutions that protect both workers and farm families As someone with deep roots in Pennsylvania agriculture, I urge you to act. Our farms, our families, and our communities cannot survive if the workforce that sustains them is forced away by fear or policy.