Surge in ICE arrests among farmworkers alarms WA farmers ahead of harvest season

A reported surge in immigration arrests of farmworkers in Washington is raising concerns among farmers who warn the crackdown could threaten upcoming harvests and deepen an already strained agricultural economy.

“We’re hearing from a lot of farmers that workers are being picked up, are being detained, and we’ve heard about workers being deported,” said Dillon Honcoop with Save Family Farms. “We’ve heard about some workers with their papers in order who have been taken to the detention center in Tacoma and have been there for a couple of weeks.”

Advocates and farm groups said increased enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is creating fear among workers at a critical time, as farms prepare for peak growing and harvesting seasons.

Farmers report uptick in detentions, including documented workers

Save Family Farming said farmers in parts of the state are reporting a noticeable uptick in detentions in recent weeks, including some involving workers with legal documentation and no criminal history.

“If this continues, we’re very concerned about what this will mean for farming,” Honcoop explained. “Particularly once we get toward harvest season in June, July, and August, here in western Washington and across the state.”

Farmers argue the enforcement push could worsen existing labor shortages and rising costs that have already put pressure on family farms.

Data from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights shows ICE arrests in Washington increased significantly in 2025, climbing from fewer than 100 per month early in the year to more than 400 in October and November. The report also indicates a growing number of arrests are taking place during traffic stops.

Agricultural leaders say similar enforcement activity last year contributed to disruptions during the state’s cherry harvest, as some workers avoided job sites out of fear of immigration raids. Across central Washington, packing houses and processing facilities shut down. Instead of fresh fruit making its way to market, including overseas, much of it sat.

“When those things shut down, that fruit goes to waste and farms and the entire operation loses thousands, if not millions of dollars,” Honcoop said. “It’s hugely damaging.”

Farm advocates call for immigration reform amid workforce fears

Washington farmers already face mounting challenges, including labor shortages and rising operating costs. Industry groups warn that additional enforcement could lead to further crop losses and, in some cases, farm closures. Federal data has previously shown the state losing an average of two farms per day.

The concerns come as immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump have expanded beyond initial pledges to focus on individuals with criminal records, according to critics.

Farm advocates are calling on federal leaders to pursue broader immigration reforms, arguing that current policies risk destabilizing the agricultural workforce and the nation’s food supply.

ICE has not publicly responded to the latest concerns.

“No matter how people feel about this issue, it needs to be acknowledged; this is an issue,” said Honcoop. “It is impacting the farming community, and it can certainly have a much bigger impact if this kind of enforcement activity is ill timed on top of busy seasons already in farming, not just for people who may have problems with their documents, but even for folks who do have the proper documents when they fear legitimately, that they could be swept up in these kinds of enforcement activities as well. It could be very disruptive to their families.”

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