Trump Creates New Headache For US Farmers

Here’s what farmers are saying.

As President Trump cracks down on illegal immigration and restores law and order, some Arizona farmers say they’re caught in a difficult position—supporting strong borders while struggling to fill skilled farm jobs.

In the quiet, mountainous area of Dudleyville, Arizona, rancher Scott Heartquist is calling attention to a growing problem: a shortage of skilled, legal agricultural labor caused by an outdated and restrictive visa process. And while Heartquist supports President Trump’s border security policies, he believes the legal immigration system desperately needs reform.

“We’re not asking for open borders. We’re asking for a working system,” Heartquist told Fox News Digital. “There are good, honest people who want to come here legally—and we need their skills.”

Arizona Rancher Speaks Out: Legal Workers Want In, But the System Keeps Them Out

Heartquist, a family man and cancer survivor, operates Heartquist Hollow Farm, which provides the region with hormone-free, steroid-free, antibiotic-free beef, pork, and lamb—all processed on-site in a USDA-inspected facility. His operation not only represents conservative agricultural values, but it also offers a rare success story in the world of clean meat production and faith-based family business.

“We’re feeding families the right way,” Heartquist said. “But behind the scenes, there’s a labor crisis. And it’s not because of Trump’s border security. It’s because our visa process is broken.”

Trump’s Immigration Policies Highlight Systemic Flaws in Legal Labor Access

Heartquist explained that under previous administrations—especially President Obama’s—abuses in the visa system led to sweeping restrictions that punished law-abiding farmers rather than targeting bad actors.

“They didn’t fix the problems—they just cut the visas. Now we’re stuck,” he said. “We need young, skilled workers who want to cut meat, follow food safety rules, and do the job right. They’re out there. We just can’t get them here legally.”

The result? A shortage of legal, skilled workers willing to work in butchering and meat processing—jobs that support American self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign food systems.

Faith, Family, and the Fight to Keep the American Dream Alive

One of Heartquist’s employees, Saúl Márquez, is a legal immigrant and skilled butcher whose family benefited from the legal immigration process. His daughter became a U.S. citizen, helping the family gain permanent residency.

“I tell others—come here legally. It’s hard, but it’s worth it,” Márquez said. “People are scared now because they don’t know what’s going to happen. But we thank God every day.”

Márquez noted that fear has increased under the current administration, as undocumented workers worry about deportation or legal issues—even if they’re trying to do the right thing.

“This is the American Dream. But now people are afraid to even go to the store.”

Without Legal Pathways, American Farmers Face Ongoing Labor Disruption

Heartquist stressed that the conservative solution isn’t to weaken the border—but to strengthen the legal pathways for skilled labor, particularly for farms and meat processors.

“This administration is doing what’s right—securing the border. But without a fix to the visa process, we’re going to see continued labor shortages,” he warned. “And sadly, the few bad apples in the migrant community give the rest a bad name. That’s not fair to the honest workers who want to follow the law.”

Heartquist believes that unless lawmakers act quickly, mass deportations and inconsistent border policy could worsen the crisis—and hurt American small businesses.

“We need a system that supports security and legal opportunity,” he said. “Without it, we’re just putting out fires while the house burns.”

Conclusion: America Needs Both Border Security and a Functional Legal Labor System

For conservative farmers like Heartquist, the answer isn’t to return to the chaos of previous administrations. It’s to build a lawful, streamlined system that brings in the labor we need—without compromising border integrity or American sovereignty.

And with President Trump back in the driver’s seat, many believe that change is finally possible.