Stay or self-deport? California farm towns are feeling the economic fallout from Trump’s forays

Will migrants and undocumented immigrant workers return to California farms next year?

As harvest season approaches, that question looms over the Central Valley — raising concerns about the economy of the region and the agriculture of the stateCalMatters’ Nigel Duara reports.

In addition to The general economy of California and the economies of its big citiessome of the state’s small farm towns are feeling the effects of President Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign to hold the the largest deportation operation in US history.

Total taxable transactions in Fresno County’s Firebaugh, for example, were down 29 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. In nearby Chowchilla, total taxable income is down 21%. The Food Bank in Firebaugh also served about 50 families – now that number is up to 150.

• Ben GallegosFirebaugh city manager: “We need these people to stimulate our community. They’re the ones who eat at our local restaurants, they’re the ones who shop at our local stores. Without them, what do we do? They’re afraid to go out because the color of their skin.”

Migrant and immigrant labor also helps power the state’s $60 billion agriculture industry. In an Notice for OctoberThe US Department of Labor is warning how the loss of farm workers across the country could threaten the nation’s food supply and cause “significant disruption” to “prices for American consumers”.

While it’s hard to know both the number of farmworkers currently working and how much the fear of deportation is affecting employment in the industry, some say California farmworkers are weighing the risk of staying or self-deportation.

• Jesus Ibaneza Fresno immigration attorney who works with farmworkers: “My clients are telling me that this country is no longer for them. They feel like they’re on loan here. That’s not a sentiment I heard a year ago.”

Read more here.

California’s multi-billion dollar prison system is about to go over budgetdespite prison closings and cut payroll costs, CalMattes’ Cayla Mihalovich writes.

This year, the state budget has set aside $17.5 billion for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. But over three years, the department is expected to overspend by about $850 million — and contribute to the state’s overall projected budget deficit — according to a new report by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Part of the projected overspend is due to rising costs. In May, the department took a $357 million lump sum from the general fund because it didn’t have money to cover workers’ compensation, overtime and inmate meals.

The department’s budget woes come despite Gov. Gavin Newsom closing prisons in an effort to save state money. Next year, Newsom aims to close the fifth prison under his governorship, a facility in Riverside County. His administration estimates that each prison closure saves about $150 million a year.

Read more here.

Let’s dive into some pre-election news:

• New gubernatorial candidate: California U.S. Rep. Eric Swwell announced his run for governor on a late-night show last week. The seven-term congressman has been an outspoken critic of Trump and helped lead the president’s second impeachment since the Jan. 6, 2021 attack. Although Swalwell’s initial campaign launch did not offer specific policy details, Swalwell said “no one will keep California safer” than him. He also cited his experience as a planning commissioner and city council member for his hometown of Dublin, California. Read more by Maya C. Miller of CalMatters.

• Shakedown in San Diego?: San Diego could lose its only Republican in Congress if the Proposition 50 ballot cards end up being held up in court. California’s 48th Congressional District currently covers the conservative communities of eastern San Diego County and is represented by U.S. Representative Darrell Issa. But 11 Democrats are vying to unseat Issa in next year’s midterm elections after the district was redrawn to give Democrats an advantage. Read more by Deborah Brennan of CalMatters.

California nursing homes linked to Shlomo Rechnitz are facing lawsuits alleging patients were abused, ignored and needlessly exposed to COVID-19. Rechnitz’s companies deny the allegations. Read the key takeaways from special report by Jocelyn Wiener of CalMatters.