Fact Check: "40% of farm workers in the US are undocumented."
What We Know
The claim that "40% of farm workers in the US are undocumented" is a statistic often cited in discussions about immigration and labor in agriculture. According to the Economic Research Service of the USDA, a significant portion of hired farmworkers are foreign-born, with many lacking legal authorization to work in the United States. The USDA notes that the agricultural workforce has become increasingly reliant on foreign labor, particularly from Mexico and Central America.
The National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) indicates that a substantial percentage of crop farm workers are indeed undocumented. Specifically, NAWS data from fiscal years 2020–2022 shows that only 32% of crop farm workers in manual labor occupations were U.S.-born, suggesting that the remainder could be foreign-born, many of whom may lack legal status. However, the exact percentage of undocumented workers specifically is not definitively stated in the USDA's reports.
Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that foreign-born workers made up 19.2% of the U.S. civilian labor force in 2024, which includes all sectors, not just agriculture. This statistic indicates a broader context of foreign labor but does not directly confirm the 40% figure for farmworkers.
Analysis
The claim of 40% undocumented farm workers appears to be an extrapolation rather than a precise statistic. While it is true that a significant number of farm workers are foreign-born and many of them are undocumented, the USDA does not provide a specific percentage that confirms this claim. The NAWS data suggests that a considerable portion of the workforce is foreign-born, but it does not explicitly quantify the undocumented status of these workers.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics are authoritative bodies that conduct extensive research and surveys. However, the interpretation of their data can vary, and the 40% figure may be an estimate based on broader trends rather than a direct measurement.
Furthermore, the context of the claim is important. The agricultural sector has historically relied on undocumented labor due to the nature of the work, which often involves low wages and harsh conditions that deter U.S.-born workers. This reliance has been documented in various studies, including those from the Baker Institute, which highlight the critical role of immigrant labor in sustaining U.S. agriculture.
Conclusion
The claim that "40% of farm workers in the US are undocumented" is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence that a significant portion of farm workers are foreign-born and that many lack legal status, the specific figure of 40% is not definitively supported by the available data. The reliance on undocumented labor in agriculture is a well-documented issue, but precise statistics can vary, and the claim may overstate the actual percentage of undocumented workers.
