W&W Dairy, a producer of Hispanic-style cheeses, was recently acquired by DFA, the nation’s largest dairy cooperative. Following the purchase, DFA required all workers to confirm their immigration status by August 30. About half of the workforce resigned immediately, but 43 employees refused, insisting on three weeks of severance pay per year worked. Workers denounce the move as intimidation, issuing a statement demanding respect for seniority, compensation, and protection from retaliation.

DFA has defended its actions, arguing that compliance with E-Verify is necessary under federal labor law and, in some cases, for federal contracts. However, immigrant advocates point out that E-Verify is voluntary for most employers and rife with errors that disproportionately harm Hispanic workers. Critics argue the system enables mass firings, racial profiling, and employer retaliation against those seeking better conditions or pay—making the Monroe dispute emblematic of broader challenges in the agricultural workforce.

The case also sheds light on DFA’s scale and influence in the dairy economy. As a farmer-owned cooperative with over 11,500 members across 47 states, DFA handles nearly 30 percent of U.S. milk supply and generates revenues surpassing $20 billion annually. With more than 380 processing facilities and partnerships that extend globally, including ventures with Fonterra in New Zealand, DFA’s policies reverberate across both domestic and international markets. Yet its political contributions, primarily directed to Republican candidates, reveal its alignment with conservative labor and immigration positions.