According to a public letter from Dennis Rodenbaugh, the President and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America, this specific incident is a symptom of a systemic issue. The article notes that Rodenbaugh, along with John Umhoefer of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, argues that the agribusiness and food processing sectors are growing and require a consistent workforce that cannot be met by the existing H-2A agricultural visa program, which is only for seasonal or temporary work.

The issue is further complicated by the threat of federal raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on farms and meatpacking plants. The article points to these raids as a source of additional stress on the immigrant workforce, which is crucial for maintaining a stable food supply chain. These actions, combined with a lack of comprehensive immigration reform, are seen by industry leaders as a direct threat to American food production and national food security.

The article makes it clear that the responsibility for this crisis falls on Congress’s failure to act. Industry advocates are calling for a modernized immigration policy that includes a year-round agricultural visa. They argue that this type of reform is essential to ensure a sustainable and reliable workforce for the dairy industry. Without it, the sector will continue to face disruptions that impact production and profitability, posing a risk to the entire dairy economics ecosystem.