Skip to main content
Statements and Releases

Restaurant owners and Farmers warn “Mass Deportation Would Raise US Food Prices”

By January 23, 2025No Comments

As communities across the country brace for mass deportation operations, our members – farmers, restaurant owners, homebuilders and manufacturers continue to publicly stress the significant economic consequences of mass deportations, which could exacerbate labor shortages and inflation. Recent press clips below. Employers urge President Trump and Congress to act on balanced, bipartisan solutions to sustain America’s global leadership and competitiveness, such as President Trump’s proposal to provide citizenship for the Dreamers.

Additionally, an op-ed by Massey Villareal and Sam Sanchez, co-chairs of Comité100, was recently featured in USA Today, calling for action on creating legal pathways for Dreamers and essential immigrant workers in critical sectors. This issue is gaining attention across media, including WSJ, Univision, and Telemundo. 

ABIC Employers in the News

“America currently faces a workforce shortage of 1.7 million people. We simply don’t have enough workers to fill the current job openings, and mass deportations could exacerbate this shortage and put further pressure on businesses,” said Sam Sanchez, owner of Third Coast Hospitality, National Restaurant Association board member and co-chair of Comité de 100. 

“Immigrants in the food service industry are essential workers, contributing to the economic success of restaurants across the country. Mass deportations could lead to labor shortages impacting the ability of restaurants in Illinois to feed our local community,” said Sam Toia, CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. Newsweek: In Frigid Chicago, Businesses Struggle to Open Amid Fears of ICE Raids (1/21/25)

“Mass deportations would not only cause havoc in our communities and split up families,” Rebecca Shi ABIC CEO said, “but it also would disrupt the workforce and raise inflation for everyday Americans.” Bloomberg: Threat of Immigration Raids Turns Chicago Hub Into Ghost Town (1/21/25)

“As Latino business leaders who supported President Trump, we’re urging him to address both sides of the security issue. We need President Trump to strike a deal that secures the border and also creates a clear legal pathway for long-term, contributing immigrant workers. It’s time for action on both fronts – no more delays. Latino voters have spoken: We want solutions that work for everyone,” said Massey Villareal and Sam Sanchez USA Today: We’re Latinos who voted for Trump. He needs to fix our broken immigration system. | Opinion (1/17/25)
‘People are hiding.’ Chicago immigrants stay home from work to avoid potential ICE arrests.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/21/immigrants-skip-work-amid-ice-fears/

“Trump ran on bringing inflation down,” Sam Toia IL Restaurant Association CEO said. “If you’re going to do mass deportations, you will see inflation go through the roof.”

The threatened arrests could have an economic impact across many industries, said Rebecca Shi, CEO of the American Business Immigration Coalition. According to Shi, housing, food and health care have been major contributors to inflation in recent years. Mass deportations, she said, could cause a price surge.

Trump Mass Deportation Plan Would Raise US Food Prices, Farmers Warn – Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-01-17/will-trump-remove-illegal-immigrants-farmers-say-deportations-raise-food-prices

Tony DiMare, president of DiMare Fresh the largest tomato grower in Florida, “We have to secure our borders south and north, but you have to have a workforce in this country…There’s no doubt that mass deportations is going to restrict and put pressure on farming and many other industries that rely on the immigrant workforce.”

Jennifer Tilton Flood, a dairy farmer from Maine “Mass deportations could affect our entire dairy industry throughout the U.S… Speaking on behalf of farms like mine that are within the control of Customs and Border Protection due to our proximity to an international border, without due diligence there is a great chance for families to be broken apart. A lot of my team are raising Americans at home, and so it’s tough. There is a lot of concern and there’s a lot of panic.”

Join Employers Rights and Responsibilities Webinar Friday Jan 24, 2025

We invite you to attend the Employers Rights and Responsibilities Webinar with John Graham (Chairman & CEO, Sunbelt Holdings), Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Matt and Anna Morzy (Mehlman Jacobs LLP). This webinar on Friday Jan 24th 2025 will provide key insights into the workforce and immigration challenges businesses face in a changing landscape. Over 600 employers from key industries, including hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture, have already registered. Register now to secure your spot.

Resources for Employers