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Nebraska is one of the top meat producers in the U.S. It also has one of the worst labor shortages in the country. For every 100 jobs, there are only 39 workers. A report released last January by the state's economic chamber says Nebraska has no choice but to welcome immigrants to, quote, "address the workforce gap." But that message runs counter to President-elect Trump's pledge to carry out mass deportations. NPR's Jasmine Garsd reports.
JASMINE GARSD, BYLINE: Every so often Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, says that he'll get a phone call from a farmer. It goes something like this.
AL JUHNKE: Al, I got a great idea.
GARSD: On how to solve Nebraska's severe labor shortage.
JUHNKE: Why don't we invite any immigrant - legal, illegal, I don't care - invite them to Nebraska, 'cause we have lots of openings out on our farm, and we need help.
GARSD: Juhnke says attracting labor is not about wages. The average pay for a meat trimmer is close to $18 an hour, well above the state minimum of 13.50.
JUHNKE: People say, well, just double or triple the pay. You'll get United States citizens to work. No, you won't.
GARSD: Nebraska needs immigrants. But Nebraskans overwhelmingly voted for incoming President Donald Trump, who has promised to carry out mass deportations. When asked about it, Juhnke echoes what a lot of people here say.
Illegals are a net drag on the economy and it is not even close - and this is before you take into account the societal costs such as suppressing wages for US workers and turning the public schools into failure factories.
Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-16 10:52 PM | Reply
Actually it's the opposite. They keep communities thriving. There's ample evidence to back that up.