Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Sparks Labor Shortages in Idaho’s Agricultural Sector
Under the second Trump administration, the United States has seen mass deportations and a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security says the crackdown pushed nearly 3 million people out of the country in Trump’s first year back in office. This crackdown has begun to disrupt Idaho’s agricultural sector, where 86% of farmworkers are foreign-born, according to the Center for Migration Studies. The state’s reliance on immigrant labor has created a growing tension between federal policy and local economic needs.
Why Are Farmworker Shortages Rising in Idaho?
Idaho’s agricultural industry, which contributes 20% of the state’s GDP, faces labor shortages as fears of deportation deter workers from entering fields. Agribusiness is important for Idaho’s economy, accounting for 20% of its annual GDP, according to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Dairy is a cornerstone: The state is the fourth-largest milk producer in the U.S., according to the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. Ninety percent of Idaho dairy workers are foreign-born.
Undocumented workers comprise 45% of the U.S. agricultural workforce. In 2025, 53% of Idaho residents surveyed by Boise State University’s Idaho Public Policy Survey said increased ICE presence would harm the state’s agricultural economy, while 19% said it would help.
How Does Public Opinion on Immigration Differ in Agricultural States?
Despite Idaho’s strong Republican leanings—60% of voters are registered Republicans, and 67% voted for Trump in 2024—public sentiment on immigration shows complexity. The 11th annual Idaho Public Policy Survey of 1,000 Idaho residents in the fall of 2025 found 85% supported a pathway to legal status for long-term immigrant farmworkers, with 79% of Republicans, 88% of independents, and 95% of Democrats in favor.
This contrasts with national trends, where immigration policy often aligns with party lines. While half of U.S. respondents disapprove of the administration’s immigration approach, according to Pew Research Center, Idaho’s data suggests local economic realities are reshaping views. “Farmers and rural communities recognize the critical role immigrants play in sustaining their economies,” said Lisa Meierotto, Associate Professor of Global Studies and Environmental Studies at Boise State University.