Beef farmers are pleading with United States President to get his immigration enforcers to back off.
Three cattle industry groups warned that recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas is disrupting livestock operations and could contribute to higher beef prices.
The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association said they are closely monitoring reported ICE activity affecting agricultural communities across the three states.
The cattlemen are also angry that Trump has made moves to increase beef imports.
The groups said they respect the responsibility of federal agencies to enforce the law but warned that cattle producers, feedyards, dairies, livestock markets, processors and other rural businesses depend on a stable workforce to maintain animal care, food safety and beef production.
“These ICE operations are having a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving,” the groups said in a joint statement. “Additionally, these types of disruptions will lead to higher beef prices for consumers.”
According to the associations, thousands of fed cattle scheduled to be shipped to processors have been delayed in recent days, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue and additional costs. They also reported workforce disruptions at feedyards, dairies, processing plants, feed and grain companies, transportation hubs and community services.
The groups said the disruptions come amid increased pressure on the cattle and beef supply chain and argued that the effects on producers could continue for days or weeks after enforcement operations conclude.
The associations urged federal officials to conduct immigration enforcement actions in a “lawful, orderly, and transparent manner,” respect due process and clearly communicate with affected employers and communities.
