The Impact of Changes in Immigration Policy on Idaho’s Agricultural Workers
Abstract
The United States agricultural production consistently relies on the labor of people who lack political power. Agricultural industries depend on Mexican and Mexican - American farmworkers for labor to maintain farms, crops, and livestock. Despite their important role in the economy, many of these farmworkers find it difficult to improve their socioeconomic and social/cultural acceptance in the United States. This study explores how immigration laws impact the social status of established Mexican and Mexican - American migrant/seasonal farmworkers in Idaho, spanning the time period between the Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986) to President Obama’s recent executive order on immigration. Additionally, the study may help foresee how President Obama’s recent executive action will impact the future of farmworkers in Idaho. This research will be carried out by conducting questionnaires with Mexican and Mexican-American farmworkers, as well as examining immigration laws. Ultimately, this research intends to discover if and how immigration policies elevate farmworker socioeconomic and social/cultural acceptance status, as a way to inform lawmakers considering future legislation.
The Impact of Changes in Immigration Policy on Idaho’s Agricultural Workers
The United States agricultural production consistently relies on the labor of people who lack political power. Agricultural industries depend on Mexican and Mexican - American farmworkers for labor to maintain farms, crops, and livestock. Despite their important role in the economy, many of these farmworkers find it difficult to improve their socioeconomic and social/cultural acceptance in the United States. This study explores how immigration laws impact the social status of established Mexican and Mexican - American migrant/seasonal farmworkers in Idaho, spanning the time period between the Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986) to President Obama’s recent executive order on immigration. Additionally, the study may help foresee how President Obama’s recent executive action will impact the future of farmworkers in Idaho. This research will be carried out by conducting questionnaires with Mexican and Mexican-American farmworkers, as well as examining immigration laws. Ultimately, this research intends to discover if and how immigration policies elevate farmworker socioeconomic and social/cultural acceptance status, as a way to inform lawmakers considering future legislation.