Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown is creating a ripple effect through the U.S. labor market, particularly in manufacturing, construction, and food production.
As the president ramps up deportations and rolls back protections for over a million immigrants, workers and union leaders say entire factories are struggling to meet production demands.
The impact extends beyond immigrants, affecting U.S.-born employees, local economies, and national productivity.
Immigration Crackdown Targets Legal Workers and Essential Industries
Factories in Kentucky and Michigan have reported sudden terminations and staff shortages tied directly to revoked work authorizations. Trump’s administration has moved to dismantle several key programs, including the Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) parole pathway, which previously allowed hundreds of thousands to live and work legally in the United States.
His expanded deportation plans involve daily arrest quotas as high as 3,000. These initiatives are framed as efforts to uphold immigration laws, but workers on the ground say the fallout is immediate and painful.
Jess Reese, a replacement operator at GE Appliances in Louisville and an organizer for IUE-CWA Local 83761, witnessed firsthand the effects of this immigration crackdown. Over 125 employees at the plant lost their jobs this spring due to canceled protections. “Three buildings, multiple shifts—production lines stalled. It was chaos,” Reese said. “We couldn’t finish what we started.”
These disruptions aren’t isolated. GE is now preparing for another wave of potential losses next February, which could affect an additional 200 union members. Reese emphasized, “Hundreds disappearing overnight? That’s not sustainable. That’s a crisis.”
Labor Shortages Escalate in Food Production Facilities
In Holland, Michigan, a Kraft Heinz food processing facility also saw veteran employees abruptly pulled off the line. Tomas Torres, a 13-year employee and president of RWDSU Local 705, described the reality: “People who’ve worked here 20 years got letters saying their work permits were no longer valid. Overnight, they’re gone. And now we’re working doubles just to keep the plant running.”
Torres now regularly works parts of all three shifts. “I’m exhausted. People are falling asleep on the job. Safety is at risk,” he said. “Everyone’s overworked—managers, supervisors, operators. Vacations are being canceled just to meet production goals.”
Kraft Heinz denied that immigration changes were the cause of labor shortages but confirmed that overtime was increasing. “Overtime is driven by business demand,” a company representative said. “We comply with all applicable employment laws.”
But inside the factory walls, Torres and others insist the problem is rooted in immigration enforcement, not peak season. “There’s no backup labor force waiting to take these jobs. When people leave, the work doesn’t disappear—it falls on those who remain.”
Deportation Plans Threaten Broader Economic Stability
Trump’s goal of mass deportation could have dire economic consequences. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that deporting 4 million immigrants would cost the country over 5.9 million jobs. That includes 3.3 million immigrant-held positions and 2.6 million U.S.-born jobs that rely on immigrant labor.
The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, supports this concern. Their analysis warns of the first net-negative migration period in decades, predicting a loss of up to $94 billion in annual GDP.
Industries most at risk include:
-
Construction
-
Food production
-
Childcare and elder care
-
Hospitality
-
Transportation and logistics
In Fairfax County, Virginia, Maria Jose Padmore, a human services assistant, described a familiar story. “I showed up one day and my coworker was just gone. His Temporary Protected Status expired. No warning. Now I have to do two jobs.”
Padmore’s voice joined others at an AFL-CIO panel in Washington, D.C., where labor leaders from across sectors called the crackdown a national workforce crisis.
Gwen Mills, president of Unite Here—the largest hospitality union in the country—said, “Trump’s policies are breaking apart families, communities, and workplaces.”
Unified Opposition From Labor Unions
Union leaders from across industries are calling for solidarity. Jimmy Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, urged American workers not to be divided by political narratives.
“Whether you’re in hospitality, construction, or public service, immigration affects you,” Williams said. “When you lose coworkers, you take on their tasks. Your wages stay flat. Your safety declines. This is not just an immigrant issue. This is a labor issue.”
Jess Reese echoed that sentiment. “We all want safe jobs, fair pay, and to go home at the end of the day. These attacks divide us. But if we stick together, we can demand something better.”
White House Defends Immigration Crackdown
A spokesperson for Trump defended the decision to end the CHNV parole program and scale back Temporary Protected Status designations. Abigail Jackson, speaking on behalf of the White House, said, “There is no shortage of American workers. President Trump’s job agenda prioritizes citizens while restoring respect for our immigration laws.”
But critics argue that the claim doesn’t hold up against the data. Immigrants consistently fill essential, physically demanding roles that many U.S.-born workers do not pursue, especially in sectors like meatpacking, home health, and warehouse operations.
Refugees International and other advocacy organizations have also pushed back on the administration’s position, citing labor shortages and humanitarian obligations.
Immigration Crackdown Creates Dangerous Working Conditions
Inside affected facilities, the changes are more than inconvenient—they’re dangerous.
At the Kraft Heinz plant, Torres has seen employees operating multiple heavy-duty machines at once. “That’s how people get hurt. We’ve filed complaints. But unless the immigration crackdown stops, these conditions will continue.”
Fewer workers means longer hours, less training, and less oversight. According to OSHA data, fatigue increases the risk of workplace injury by up to 60%. In manufacturing and food processing, even small errors can lead to severe accidents.
Reese confirmed similar risks in Louisville. “We’ve got temporary staff unfamiliar with the equipment. No time for proper onboarding. Supervisors are stretched thin. And morale? It’s collapsing.”
Entire Communities Affected
The consequences of Trump’s immigration crackdown extend far beyond job sites. Families are losing breadwinners. Children are losing parents. Local businesses are losing customers. Rent isn’t getting paid. Medical bills go uncovered.
The strain isn’t just emotional—it’s structural. Schools lose funding when enrollment drops. Transit systems lose riders. Churches, markets, and local services see less activity.
And as labor dries up, inflation rises. Wages remain stagnant, but goods cost more. With production lines delayed and shipping slowed, companies pass the burden to consumers.
Data Snapshot: Economic Impact of Immigration Enforcement
| Metric | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Jobs lost if 4 million immigrants deported | 5.9 million |
| Projected GDP decline (AEI study) | $70.5–94 billion annually |
| Immigrant share of U.S. labor force | Over 17% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
| Industries most impacted | Food, hospitality, construction, care, logistics |
Policy vs. Reality: A Misalignment
While the Trump administration argues that tougher immigration enforcement helps protect American jobs, real-world conditions reveal the opposite. In states like Michigan, Kentucky, and Texas, factories and farms are actively recruiting—and struggling to retain—immigrant workers.
“Job postings are up,” said a representative from the Michigan Manufacturers Association, speaking anonymously. “But applications are down. They don’t trust the system anymore.”
This growing distrust affects even legal immigrants, many of whom fear errors or sudden policy changes could cost them their livelihoods. The paperwork is complex, and processing delays add to the uncertainty.
Conclusion
Trump’s immigration crackdown may satisfy political goals, but the costs are real and rising. Factories are slower. Workplaces are more dangerous. Families are breaking apart. The nation’s economy, already fragile, risks further erosion.
Don’t wait if these changes have affected your immigration status or job, or if you face uncertainty with Temporary Protected Status or a work permit.
Maple Crest Immigration Law Firm can help you evaluate your options, file the right forms, and protect your right to stay and work in the U.S. Our team of licensed immigration professionals provides personalized legal guidance based on the latest policy updates.
Schedule a consultation with Maple Crest Immigration today and secure your future before it’s too late.
