ICE Enforcement and Minnesota Farms

OMAHA (DTN) -- The president of the Minnesota Farmers Union is urging farmers to speak out against the Trump administration's federal crackdown in his state and press for broader immigration reform.

Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, said activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may be concentrated in the Twin Cities but affect other parts of the state as well.

"There's going to be a direct effect that it is going to have on agriculture," Wertish said. "We have a shortage of workers now in some plants, but the restaurant industry has been hit the hardest because you have workers who are afraid to go to work -- even if they have legal status."

The effort to dial down the heat comes after clashes between Minneapolis residents and thousands of federal agents continues to lead to more violent encounters. That includes the shooting death Saturday of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti who worked as an ICU nurse for the for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

TRUMP, WALZ TALK

President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke Monday for the first time in more than a year. Walz, on X, said he "had a productive call" with the president, adding, "and I explained to him that his staff doesn't have their facts straight about Minnesota."

Trump, on Truth Social, said he and Walz were "on a similar wavelength." Trump noted he was sending his border czar, Tom Homan, to take over ICE operations in the state. Homan previously served as acting director of ICE during Trump's first term.

Trump said his administration's efforts have brought down crime in several cities and states, "even in Minnesota. Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!"

Trump had called for investigations into Walz and the Minneapolis mayor.

Trump also is set to give a speech on the economy Tuesday afternoon in Clive, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines about 3 1/2 hours south of Minneapolis.

LABOR CHALLENGES

In an interview, Wertish said his state has been hit hard by the ramped-up enforcement by ICE, which has led to protests, street fights between ICE and residents, and now two people killed in encounters with ICE agents. "There is no reason for that. It's just totally uncalled for," Wertish said following Saturday's shooting death.

"We really need people to speak out," he said. "What we've got going on with immigration in Minnesota, it's going to happen in other states, too."

The situation in Minnesota should demand more pressure be placed on public officials to deal with policies around immigration and labor, Wertish said.

"We need to do immigration reform, which is a big part of the problem," he said.

While the enforcement effort and protests in Minnesota could dial down, Wertish said the past month has put more pressure on labor challenges in the state that will affect agriculture as well as other industries. Rural America is getting older with more people retired and not in the workforce any longer, Wertish said. The tougher immigration enforcement adds more pressure on businesses.

"The amount of labor, immigrant-type labor, whether it's a processing plant or in the fields or livestock, it's a tremendous part of our economy. We need more labor," Wertish said.

MINORITY FARM GROUPS FEARFUL

Thom Petersen, Minnesota's director of agriculture, said there have been some reports of ICE agents at dairies, but those have been limited. There have been other reports of ICE agents simply parking outside of farms, which has intimidated workers. Petersen also spoke Monday with members of the Minnesota African Immigrant Farming Association, adding, "they are very fearful and glad it is wintertime, when they are not out in the open."

Petersen added, "There is a reluctance of farmers to talk publicly for fear of retaliation."

AGRIBUSINESSES WEIGH IN

The CEOs of Cargill, CHS, General Mills, Hormel and Land O'Lakes each joined a letter led by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and for officials at all levels to work together.

The Chamber released the letter Sunday on behalf of more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies.

The Chamber letter states the business community focuses on providing leadership and solving problems in the state, but pointed to the disruption of normal lives across the state. The Chamber said business leaders have been communicating with the White House, Gov. Tim Walz and local mayors.

"There are ways for us to come together to foster progress," the business leaders stated. "With yesterday's tragic news, we are calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions."

Agricultural company CEOs signing the letter included Brian Sikes, board chair and CEO of Cargill Inc.; Jay Debertin, president and CEO of CHS; Jeff Harmening, chairman and CEO of General Mills; Jeff Ettinger, interim CEO of Hormel; and Beth Ford, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes.

Wertish said the Chamber letter could have been more direct in pushing back against the ICE escalation.

"It's disappointing because that letter, it was like 'both sides have got to come together.' We have got to acknowledge what the hell is happening here," Wertish said. "They are all taking a more vocal stance, but they're still scared about crossing the president, and we've all seen the retribution he can do, and that's unfortunate."

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

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