Clemens Food Group in Michigan’s Branch County faces labor disruption because the Haitian workers could lose their legal status following the revocation of Temporary Protected Status by the administration run by United States President Donald Trump.
The policy change, set to take effect in August, impacts thousands of Haitians nationwide, including approximately 400 workers at Clemens’ Coldwater pork processing plant.
General Manager Joe Hughes said the company is working with affected employees to explore visa options but acknowledged that losing such a large fraction of the workforce would significantly impact operations.
“These are people actually doing the day-to-day work,” Hughes said. “If team members don’t show up, the product doesn’t get made. Customers don’t get their product.”
The uncertainty comes as Clemens plans a $150 million expansion at the Coldwater facility, expected to add 400 jobs by fall 2026. Hughes said the potential loss of Haitian workers could affect short-term expansion plans but that the company would continue moving forward long-term.
