US farm secretary says ‘no amnesty’ for farmworkers from deportation
By Leah Douglas
Washington (Reuters) -US Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Tuesday that the Trump administration would not be “amnesty” for agricultural workers’ efforts to illegally deport all immigrants in the country.
The farm sector warned that the mass deportation of farm workers will disrupt the US food supply. In June, President Donald Trump pointed out that he could pause the raids on some farm construction sites before reversing the course.
Rollins said that the administration wants 100% American labor force, and some people who receive government assistance could replace migrant workers.
“Ultimately, the answer is automation, some reforms in the current management structure. And then, there are 34 million talented adults in our Medicaid program. There are many workers in America.” He said.
Rollins also said that at a press conference, USDA will prevent the purchase of agricultural land by “xenophobia”, including China, and end agreements and contracts with people and organizations from these countries.
Rollins asked about the land of Syngenta and Smithfield Foods, a Chinese companies, said the administration is still considering its options.
“You will soon see an executive order from the White House, and we will look at more than one different authority within the federal government to begin to get it back.” He said.
In 2023, Arkansas ordered Syngenta to sell 160 acres (65 hectares) agricultural land under a state law that prevented some foreign organizations from acquiring or holding land.
According to the National Agricultural Law Center, twenty -six states limit or prohibit foreign enterprises, governments or citizens from having private agricultural areas and some of these laws have face legal difficulties.
According to USDA, only 3.4% of the US agricultural land belongs to foreign organizations and Canada has the largest share.
Rollins said he would become a foreign investment committee in the US or “this afternoon” will become a CFIUS member. The inter -institutional organ is reviewing foreign investments in the US for national security threats.
Two -party MPs, stating national security concerns, supported the boundaries of the ownership of agricultural land by foreign countries.
(Reporting by Leah Douglaseding by Marguerita Choy)
