--- title: "Farmers Rely on Foreign Labor Amid Border Tensions" url: https://newscentral.site/farmers-rely-on-foreign-labor-amid-border-tensions/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-30T12:28:44.000Z updated: 2026-10-31T03:38:27.736Z id: ab336dc3-4e0f-4e1c-b1d8-3e82ea039bbc source: "France 24 English https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261030-scared-of-crossing-the-border-the-arizona-farmers-who-rely-on-mexican-workers" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/farmers-rely-on-foreign-labor-amid-border-tensions/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Farmers Rely on Foreign Labor Amid Border Tensions The produce farms in Yuma County, Arizona, are heavily reliant on foreign workers who cross the border daily from Mexico to tend to the crops. For farmers like John Boelts, this labor force is crucial for harvesting and maintaining their vast fields. Boelts, a farmer and strong supporter of US President Donald Trump's policies, commends the administration's strict border controls. However, he notes that competing factions within his own party have complicated efforts to hire foreign laborers. As the harvest season approaches, Boelts can spot ripe cantaloupes from afar. Even in early October, temperatures in the region still reach a scorching 43°C (109°F), well above the seasonal average. This means the farmers must work efficiently to bring in their crops before they spoil. Boelts explains that once the melons are ready for harvest, there is only a brief window of opportunity, typically two days, to collect them and prevent loss. He attributes this time constraint to the importance of getting the produce off the vine quickly. Last spring's harvest was particularly challenging due to delays in receiving working visas for Mexican laborers. The delay resulted in significant losses, with Boelts estimating that his farm lost up to $100,000 worth of crops. The late arrival of the labor force meant that two or three fields were left unharvested, which could have generated substantial revenue during the spring season. Boelts' operation, Desert Premium Farms, relies heavily on foreign workers to maintain its vast fields and ensure a successful harvest. The vast fields of lettuce and vegetables in southwest Arizona stretch out as far as the eye can see, a testament to the region's reputation as North America's "winter salad bowl". The arid landscape is dotted with tractors and workers tending to row after row of crops, their faces shielded from the sun by protective gear. The area around Yuma produces between 70 to 90 percent of all leafy greens and vegetables consumed in the US and Canada during the winter months. Irrigation channels bring water from the Colorado River to nourish the fields, where a variety of crops including lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and melon are grown on an enormous scale. The success of these farms relies heavily on foreign workers, many of whom live just across the border in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. During peak season, around 15,000 farm laborers cross into the US every day to work in American fields, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau. However, the current immigration policies enforced by President Donald Trump have added complexity to the flow of workers. The hardline approach has led to mass detentions and deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, causing concern among laborers. One worker spoke candidly near an irrigation canal while assisting his colleagues with heavy pipe shifting. He expressed concerns that some laborers are hesitant to cross the border due to the associated risks. The worker's words reflect a growing unease among foreign workers about crossing into the US. This sentiment is attributed, in part, to Trump's immigration policies and their potential consequences. As a result of these changes, many laborers are now more cautious when deciding whether or not to cross the border for work. This shift has significant implications for the region's agricultural industry, which relies heavily on foreign workers during peak season. Ana's experience at the border crossing has become increasingly challenging due to long wait times and uncertain schedules. She often arrives at 1am to secure a spot in line, but even then she may end up waiting for an hour or two before being able to transport workers from the border to her fields. A recent upgrade to the border crossing has brought some relief, with Ana noting that the renovation has made the process slightly faster and more efficient. The physical demands of farm work are intense, with Ana working beneath the scorching sun while wearing protective gear to shield her skin from the elements. Colleagues around her rely on music to make the laborious tasks more bearable, and a sense of camaraderie prevails among the workers who have formed close bonds over time. The solidarity among farmworkers is palpable, with Ana highlighting the mutual support and teamwork that makes the work more enjoyable despite its physical toll. The shortage of domestic workers willing to take on agricultural jobs is a major concern for farmers like Boelts, who has seen firsthand the challenges of finding suitable candidates. According to recent data, out of over 415,000 job listings in agriculture posted last year, only 182 received applications from US citizens. This stark figure highlights the industry's reliance on foreign workers. Farming involves more than just manual labor; it requires specific skills and expertise that not every worker possesses. Boelts emphasizes that farmworkers need to be trained for various tasks, from planting to harvesting. The federal government has been criticized by farmers like Boelts for its perception of agricultural workers as unskilled laborers. However, this characterization is far from accurate, with many farms requiring specialized knowledge and skills. To address the shortage, farmers can apply for foreign workers through the H-2A visa program, which was established in 1986. This program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers if they are unable to find US citizens for the job. However, navigating this system is often a complex and time-consuming process, requiring employers to demonstrate that they have tried to recruit locally and meet basic obligations around wages, housing, and transportation. The difficulties of using the H-2A program have led some farmers to call for its reform. Boelts, who considers the program essential to his business, believes it needs to be streamlined and simplified to make it easier for employers to use. The current system is not only cumbersome but also costly, with farmers like Boelts facing significant delays in bringing in the workers they need. The H-2A visa programme is often misunderstood as an immigration programme, but its purpose is actually quite different: it allows foreign workers to enter the US on a temporary basis to meet specific needs. Boelts, a farmer from Arizona, emphasizes this distinction and stresses that bringing in foreign workers has nothing to do with opening up the southern border. In fact, Boelts is a supporter of the current administration's policies, particularly those related to agriculture. He commends President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for their efforts. However, he also acknowledges that the president can sometimes be swayed by misinformation or misguided advice. Boelts believes that Trump should publicly defend the H-2A visa programme reforms to prevent further complications. Farmers like Boelts are not just concerned about policy; they're also tired of being caught in the middle of politics. They want a stable and predictable environment for their businesses, rather than constantly navigating changing regulations. One of the biggest challenges faced by farmers is ensuring that their employees can safely cross the border without encountering violence or other hazards. Boelts shares an alarming example from his own farm: one employee was struck on the head by someone attempting to steal his vehicle. The incident highlights the risks faced by both workers and employers in regions along the US-Mexico border, where contraband and human smuggling are significant concerns. The laborers will soon take a short lunch break before resuming their work in the fields for a few more hours. Meanwhile, Arizona's farmers are facing another pressing concern: the growing scarcity of water, a critical issue that is gaining attention ahead of the midterms. So far, Yuma's farms have been spared from the restrictions imposed on the Colorado River by the Trump administration since August due to their priority water rights. However, this protection may not be enough in the near future. Farmers like Boelts are worried that they will soon face severe water shortages, as agriculture has traditionally not used its full allocation of water. --- Source: [France 24 English](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261030-scared-of-crossing-the-border-the-arizona-farmers-who-rely-on-mexican-workers) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/farmers-rely-on-foreign-labor-amid-border-tensions/