Farm groups challenge Trump's deportation plans over food supply concerns

The U.S. farm industry has raised concerns about the potential impact of mass deportations planned by President-elect Donald Trump on the nation's food supply chain. With almost half of the farm workforce lacking lawful immigration status, industry advocates are requesting exemptions from deportation to prevent disruption in agricultural production. Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers, one of the organizations advocating for these exemptions, supports focusing deportation efforts on individuals with criminal backgrounds rather than impacting the labor force critical to farming. The urgency expressed by these groups highlights the challenges of balancing immigration enforcement with maintaining a stable agricultural economy.