US immigration crackdown could open door for more J’can farm workers
Published:Sunday | March 2, 2025 | 12:11 AMSashana Small - Staff Reporter
Jamaican farm workers could benefit from the United States’ immigration crackdown on illegal immigrants and undocumented labour, Colette Roberts Risden, permanent secretary in the Minister of Labour, has asserted.
Roberts Risden, who is currently overseeing the overseas farm work programme, told The Sunday Gleaner that the heightened enforcement of US immigration laws could result in a greater demand for Jamaican workers in agriculture.
“Jamaicans have been travelling legally to the US to work on agricultural farms since 1943 during World War II, when there was a significant shortage in labour. Jamaica is prepared to capitalise on vacancies that may arise,” she said.
She highlighted recent reports of farm workers in California not showing up for work out of fear of being targeted for deportation. California reportedly has an estimated 162,000 farm workers, with more than half of them believed to be undocumented.
Roberts Risden emphasised that all Jamaicans who travel to the US through the Government’s farm work programme, are in the country legally.
“Employers rely on these workers to strengthen food security and ensure that food is available, not only for Americans, but also for export. Therefore, our farm workers should not fear travelling as long as they have the appropriate work visas, which allow them to be in the US legally,” she said.
The number of Jamaican farm workers in the US has averaged about 4,500 each year for the past 10 to 15 years, she stated. However, she noted that this number may fluctuate due to weather and other factors.
Last year, 4,700 workers participated in the programme. The top 10 states for farm workers are Florida, California, Georgia, Washington, North Carolina, Michigan, Louisiana, Arizona, Texas, and New York. However, Jamaica mainly sends workers to New York, Washington, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, she said.
PROMOTING JAMAICA
Roberts Risden outlined the Jamaican Government’s efforts to expand its market share in the US by boosting visibility and promoting Jamaica, its farm workers, and the advantages of hiring Jamaicans to farm owners, while also highlighting the positive impact on the Jamaican economy.
“A unique aspect of partnering with the Government of Jamaica is its liaison service, which no other country offers. This service provides a valuable benefit, ensuring the welfare of workers. Additionally, the Government does not charge for our services, and workers are not required to pay any fees to participate in the programme,” she said.
She said the liaison officers are currently engaged in increased outreach activities during the slow season, which runs from December to March.
“As a result, we are actively participating in numerous meetings and conventions attended by employers, their agents, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector. We have developed new promotional materials and videos, and are in the process of upgrading our website,” she stated.
Roberts Risden shared that the Government has also been targeting East Coast states because of Jamaica’s comparative advantage as they are “closer and, therefore, should be easier and more cost effective to hire farm workers from Jamaica”.