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Fact check: Are texas farms shutting down because of immagration

Checked on August 21, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The evidence strongly supports that Texas farms are indeed experiencing significant disruptions due to immigration enforcement, with some operations shutting down entirely. Multiple sources confirm that agricultural businesses in Texas have been forced to shut down overnight due to immigration enforcement actions [1]. These shutdowns have resulted in crops remaining unharvested and livestock going unattended [1].

The impact is severe and widespread:

  • Up to 70 percent of workers have stopped working after ICE enforcement actions [2]
  • Some Texas farmers report that "100 percent" of their workers haven't come to work due to fear of ICE raids [3]
  • The enforcement has left crops rotting in fields and farm operations severely disrupted [2]
  • Wholesale vegetable prices have jumped as a direct result of these labor shortages [4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual factors:

  • Legislative solutions are being proposed: Texas lawmakers are working on the Bracero Program 2.0 Act to streamline H-2A visa applications and provide more stable workforce solutions for farmers [5]
  • The issue extends beyond Texas: Immigration enforcement is affecting major agricultural states nationwide, not just Texas specifically [2]
  • Economic ripple effects: The shutdowns are contributing to broader economic impacts including rising food prices and slowdowns across industries that rely on immigrant workers [6]
  • Fear-based labor exodus: Workers are leaving not necessarily due to actual deportations, but due to fear of enforcement actions, suggesting the psychological impact may be as significant as actual enforcement [3] [7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains a spelling error ("immagration" instead of "immigration") which may indicate rushed or careless information gathering. However, the core premise is factually supported by multiple sources.

The question could be interpreted as potentially politically charged, as it touches on immigration policy - a contentious issue where different stakeholders benefit from different narratives:

  • Agricultural industry representatives benefit from highlighting these disruptions to advocate for more lenient immigration policies or expanded guest worker programs
  • Immigration enforcement advocates might downplay these impacts to support stricter enforcement policies
  • Politicians on both sides can use this data to support their respective positions on immigration reform

The evidence consistently shows that the agricultural disruptions are real and measurable, making this more of a documented economic impact rather than a biased claim.

Want to dive deeper?
How many texas farms have shut down in 2025 due to labor shortages?
What are the current immigration policies affecting texas farm workers?
Can texas farms hire foreign workers through the H-2A visa program?
What is the economic impact of immigration on the texas agricultural industry?
Are there any alternative labor sources for texas farms besides immigrant workers?