The United Farm Workers Foundation (UFW) conducted a survey, Under the Sun and out of the Shadows, to assess the impacts of the immigration raids on undocumented farm workers. The survey analyzed how the raids impacted farm workers’ employment, their fear of leaving home, and their fear of being separated from their families. According to Jonathan Ambulo, a research and policy analyst and author of Under the Sun and Out of the Shadows, 2,250 farm workers responded to the survey.
UFW Chief Executive Officer Erica Lomeli Corcoran stated that the survey serves as a way to uplift the voices of farm workers and that they need to be listened to.
“Through this survey, undocumented workers are making their voices heard,” said Lomeli Corcoran. “Undocumented workers are saying they want protections for themselves and their families from detention and deportation. They want pro-labor policies in the agricultural industry to sustain. They want to keep working as farm workers and long to earn the safety and protections only genuine immigration reform can offer. We need to listen to what undocumented farm workers are thinking, feeling, fearing, and also, importantly, hoping for.”
According to the survey findings, 90% of farm workers feared deportation becasue they do not want to be separated from their families and relationships they have built in the United States. The study points out that many farm workers have been in the United States for several years or longer. According to Ambulo, 41% of respondents have lived in the United States for over 20 years.
“Because field laborers have not lived in or been able to visit their countries of origin for a number of years, they would endure significant hardships upon their return there. Some 49% of farm worker respondents selected the response, “I have not lived in my country of origin for several years.” Due to their many years of living away from home, they would face challenges reintegrating into their original countries and communities,” states the survey.
During a press conference, Ambulo emphasized that the impacts of President Donald Trump’s immigration raids go beyond the fear of being deported but have impacted the daily lives of farm workers.
“Since Trump’s immigration crackdown began in early 2025, farm workers expressed severe impact on their employment,” said Ambulo. “92% of farm workers said that immigration raids and deportations have affected their employment. Several farm workers mentioned having to take days off during days of heavy enforcement. Additionally, 88% of farm workers feared detention and deportation, 61% have shopped less, and 29% have not sought medical attention. The rise of immigration raids and the mass deportation agenda have led to chilling effects. These percentages show how farm workers have withdrawn from the public. Farm worker families’ everyday activities have changed due to increased immigration enforcement.”
The survey also underscores that many farm workers are hardworking and skilled at what they do, given how long they have been in their jobs; over 40% of respondents have worked in agriculture for more than 20 years. Ambulo explained that a path to citizenship would help to protect farm workers and give them the opportunity to stay connected to their families, and that many farm workers long to continue contributing to the economy in the United States.
“Farm workers hope for genuine immigration reform and protections from immigration enforcement,” said Ambulo. “87% want to visit a family member in their country of origin after an immigration reform law, and 76% desire protections from deportation and detention. Legal status and a path to citizenship would protect farm workers and keep families together. It would also reconnect farm workers with their communities. Restoring ties between farm workers and the public ensures a stronger economy. This reform would benefit them, agricultural employers, and the country by having a secure food system. Despite the very real risk of arrest, deportation, and family separation, this survey reveals many undocumented workers aspire to fully participate in the country they so gratefully serve.”
During the press conference, Yasmin, a farm worker who responded to the survey, spoke about her experience and stated she has lived and worked in the United States for over 20 years. She stated that before the raids started, she would go on walks at the park or to the library, but that has stopped now. Her husband is undocumented, and they have two daughters who are legal citizens. She explained that now she has to be alert and only leaves the house when it is necessary, for example, when she goes grocery shopping.
“The other day was our daughter’s 11th birthday, and we couldn’t celebrate out of fear of going out. Family separation worries me a lot. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Yasmin.
“My family and I have had to make changes, and we’ve also had to implement a family plan. I’ve even had to have conversations with our daughters about what could possibly happen. They’re small, and they don’t really understand what’s happening, but I try to talk to them and make sure we have a plan. I think most workers are just like me. The immigration raids have impacted my employment because I’m afraid to go out to work. When I leave to work, I’m afraid to not come home and to never see my daughters again.”
Yasmin explained that a pathway to citizenship would help her and her husband give their daughters a better life. Similarly, 76% of respondents said that deportation and detention protections were their highest policy concern, and according to a press release, “53% hope for a pathway to legal status and eventual U.S. citizenship; 37% want to be able to attend and organize their children’s school activities.”
“I can’t even buy a house because at any given moment they could deport me. I hope that by listening to my story you can understand a little bit of what farm workers are going through: the fear, the uncertainty, and what we’re going through every day. We’re good people who are only working, who are only doing the best to provide for our families, and we want to be able to take care of our families with dignity,” said Yasmin.is undocumented, and they have two daughters who are legal citizens. She explained that now she has to be alert and only leaves the house when it is necessary, for example, when she goes grocery shopping.
“The other day was our daughter’s 11th birthday, and we couldn’t celebrate out of fear of going out. Family separation worries me a lot. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Yasmin.
“My family and I have had to make changes, and we’ve also had to implement a family plan. I’ve even had to have conversations with our daughters about what could possibly happen. They’re small, and they don’t really understand what’s happening, but I try to talk to them and make sure we have a plan. I think most workers are just like me. The immigration raids have impacted my employment because I’m afraid to go out to work. When I leave to work, I’m afraid to not come home and to never see my daughters again.”
Yasmin explained that a pathway to citizenship would help her and her husband give their daughters a better life. Similarly, 76% of respondents said that deportation and detention protections were their highest policy concern, and according to a press release, “53% hope for a pathway to legal status and eventual U.S. citizenship; 37% want to be able to attend and organize their children’s school activities.”
“I can’t even buy a house because at any given moment they could deport me. I hope that by listening to my story you can understand a little bit of what farm workers are going through: the fear, the uncertainty, and what we’re going through every day. We’re good people who are only working, who are only doing the best to provide for our families, and we want to be able to take care of our families with dignity,” said Yasmin.
