Farm Workers Fear ICE Raids: What the 2026 Survey Found
You leave for work every morning not knowing if you'll come home. That's the reality for hundreds of thousands of farm workers across the US right now. A new survey from the United Farm Workers Foundation puts hard numbers on fears that many undocumented workers have been living with since the start of 2025.
You leave for work every morning not knowing if you'll come home. Yasmine, a farm worker and DACA recipient who has lived in the US for more than 20 years, described it exactly that way at a press conference on Thursday. Her husband is undocumented. Her two daughters are US citizens. When her older daughter turned 11, the family stayed home — too afraid to go out and celebrate. "I live with stress, uncertainty and fear," she said.
What the survey found
The United Farm Workers Foundation released a survey of 2,250 farm workers — many of them undocumented — showing just how deeply immigration enforcement has changed daily life. Ninety-two percent said that raids and deportations have affected their employment. Ninety percent worry about family separation. Sixty-one percent are shopping less. Twenty-nine percent are avoiding medical care. And 17% say they fear being forced to do labor inside immigration detention if they are arrested. These numbers come despite most respondents being long-term US residents: 80% have been in the country for more than 10 years, and 41% for more than 20 years.
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According to data from the 2022 National Agricultural Workers Survey, there are more than 2.6 million farm workers in the US. Seventy-three percent are Hispanic, 66% are noncitizen immigrants, and 47% report lacking work authorization. Erica Lomeli Corcoran, CEO of the UFW Foundation, called this "the first in-depth study to survey the concerns and fears of undocumented farm workers." A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson responded that "worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to protect public safety, national security, and economic stability."
Many workers are not just afraid — they also have clear hopes. Seventy-six percent want protection from deportation and detention. Fifty-three percent hope for a pathway to legal status and US citizenship. Eighty-seven percent said they would be able to visit family abroad if Congress passed immigration reform giving them legal status. Yasmine put it plainly: "Having a pathway to citizenship would mean a lot for me. It would change a lot for me and my family." For now, she is also experiencing delays getting her DACA work permit (Form I-765, the Employment Authorization Document) renewed — a problem that leaves her in legal limbo even as a DACA recipient.
What to do
- Know your rights during a raid. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to open the door unless agents show a signed judicial warrant. Do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first.
- Make a family safety plan now. Designate a trusted person — a US citizen or legal resident — who can care for your children if you are detained. Write down your attorney's phone number and keep it on you at all times.
- If you have DACA, check your renewal status. DACA renewals are still being processed. If your work permit (EAD) is expiring, file Form I-765 as early as possible. Delays like Yasmine's are common right now, so do not wait until the last moment.
- Contact a nonprofit immigration legal organization. Groups like the UFW Foundation, local legal aid offices, and accredited representatives can help you understand your options — even if you are undocumented — often at low or no cost.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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If ICE agents come to your home or workplace, you are not required to answer questions or sign anything — invoke your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. For DACA holders facing EAD renewal delays, attorneys recommend filing Form I-765 well before expiration and keeping proof of your pending application on hand, since an auto-extension may apply. If you have US citizen children and fear detention, a family preparedness plan with a designated legal guardian is not optional — it is essential. Consult an immigration attorney to review your specific situation and any options for relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me at my workplace?
Yes. Worksite enforcement — raids at farms, factories, and other job sites — is legal and has increased significantly under the current administration. You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents before consulting an attorney.
I have DACA. Can I still be deported?
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) gives you temporary protection from deportation and the right to work legally. But it is not a green card or permanent status. If your DACA expires or is terminated, that protection ends. Keep your renewal current and consult an attorney if you face any enforcement action.
What happens to my US citizen children if I am detained?
Your children will not automatically be deported — they are US citizens. But they could be left without a caregiver. Lawyers strongly recommend creating a written family safety plan now: name a trusted adult who can care for your children, and consider signing a power of attorney so that person can make decisions on your children's behalf.
Is there any path to legal status for undocumented farm workers right now?
As of mid-2026, there is no new law giving undocumented farm workers a path to legal status. The survey found that 53% of workers hope for such a pathway, but Congress has not passed immigration reform. Some workers may qualify for other forms of relief — such as a U visa (for crime victims) or asylum — so speaking with an immigration attorney is the best way to find out what options, if any, apply to your situation.