Summary of "How ICE Crackdowns Are Affecting the Workforce"
The Indicator from Planet Money
Release Date: July 3, 2025

Introduction

In the July 3, 2025 episode of The Indicator from Planet Money, hosts Adrian Ma and Darren Woods delve into the profound impacts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdowns on the American workforce. Titled "How ICE Crackdowns Are Affecting the Workforce," the episode explores how recent policy changes are influencing industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor, specifically agriculture, construction, and long-term care.

Economic Context and ICE Enforcement

Adrian Ma opens the discussion by highlighting the latest labor market statistics: "The U.S. economy added 147,000 jobs in June, and the unemployment rate decreased to 4.1%" (00:37). This positive economic data emerges amidst significant legislative activity, as House representatives vote on a major bill aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement funding.

Darren Woods emphasizes the scale of the crackdown: "Around 1,200 people were being arrested each day in June, more than triple the number under Biden" (01:20). This surge in enforcement represents one of the most significant shifts in the American labor market in recent years.

Impact on the Agriculture Industry

The episode begins by profiling Gloria, a cherry picker from Washington State who migrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the late '90s. Gloria shares her personal struggles, stating, "We start at six in the morning. We leave at midnight. The truth is it's very tiring..." (02:31). Her unauthorized status forces her to use only her first name for privacy.

Gloria reveals the direct consequences of increased ICE presence: "I've missed work because... we see that immigration is there at the work sites" (03:03). This fear has led to significant labor shortages, with Gloria noting, "Many places are being left without workers and the fruit is going to waste out of fear, not because people don't want to work" (03:41).

Effect on the Construction Sector

Transitioning to construction, the hosts interview Brian Termail, spokesperson for the Associated General Contractors of America. Brian observes, "The overwhelming response that we're getting is, there’s a lot of anxiety" (04:35). Despite these fears, construction workers largely continue to show up, though sporadic "no shows" occur following ICE enforcement actions (04:54).

Brian highlights the industry's dependency on immigrant labor: "About one in four construction workers were born overseas" (05:48). He explains the current labor shortage: "80% of construction firms say they can't find enough qualified people to hire in the United States" (05:56). While raising wages might seem a solution, Brian counters, "Too few jobs, new workers or workers know that these career opportunities exist. And too many families still have a negative stigma about a career opportunity in construction" (06:17).

Challenges in the Long-Term Care Sector

Shifting focus to long-term care, the episode features Arnufo Dela Cruz, president of Union SEIU 2015 in California. Arnufo describes the diversity of the workforce: "At our board meetings, we are holding our simultaneous translation in Korean, in Russian, in Armenian, in Spanish, in Mandarin, in Cantonese" (07:05). This multicultural environment underscores the sector's reliance on immigrant workers.

Arnufo recounts instances where immigration enforcement has directly impacted care facilities: "We've had reports that... there’s been enforcement actions at nursing homes and skilled care facilities" (07:20). While most workers continue to attend their jobs, the looming threat of losing temporary protected status (TPS) for nationals from countries like Venezuela and Haiti presents a significant uncertainty. Arnufo shares a poignant story from a worker in El Salvador: "She has a couple of consumers who she's cared for for several years. You build a relationship almost like a family" (08:09).

Policy Implications and Official Responses

The discussion turns to the broader policy landscape, with the proposed legislative bill potentially "more than triple ICE's detention budget" and hire "thousands more immigration agents" (07:36). This intensification of enforcement is critiqued for its negative repercussions on the economy.

In response to inquiries about the correlation between illegal immigration and economic health, the Department of Homeland Security's assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "If there was any correlation between rampant illegal immigration and a good economy, Biden would have had a booming economy" (08:34). However, economic data contradicts this claim, indicating that "the economy grew more under Joe Biden than the first Donald Trump administration, even when he controlled for price and population growth" (08:54).

Voices from the Ground

Gloria offers a heartfelt message: "Not all people are the same and not all people come here to do bad things. We seem simply come to work" (09:11). This sentiment echoes across industries, highlighting the essential role immigrants play in maintaining various sectors of the economy.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The hosts conclude by acknowledging the urgent need for employers to find replacements as the immigration crackdown continues. Adrian Ma invites listeners to share their experiences with artificial intelligence in the workplace, signaling an ongoing conversation about labor dynamics and technological integration.

In anticipation of upcoming content, Darren Woods teases a special episode featuring an extended interview with John Cohen, a correspondent with Science magazine, discussing cuts to the PEPFAR program aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS.

Key Takeaways

• Economic Impact: Increased ICE enforcement is creating significant labor shortages in sectors reliant on immigrant workers, threatening productivity and economic stability.

• Human Stories: Personal accounts from workers like Gloria and representatives like Brian Termail and Arnufo Dela Cruz highlight the human cost of stringent immigration policies.

• Policy Critique: The episode questions the efficacy of aggressive immigration enforcement, presenting evidence that contradicts official statements linking illegal immigration to economic performance.

• Future Challenges: With potential policy changes on the horizon, industries face the dual challenge of maintaining labor forces and ensuring economic growth amidst tightening immigration controls.

Notable Quotes

• Gloria: "Many places are being left without workers and the fruit is going to waste out of fear, not because people don't want to work." (03:41)

• Brian Termail: "80% of construction firms say they can't find enough qualified people to hire in the United States." (05:56)

• Arnufo Dela Cruz: "We've had reports that... there’s been enforcement actions at nursing homes and skilled care facilities." (07:20)

• Tricia McLaughlin: "If there was any correlation between rampant illegal immigration and a good economy, Biden would have had a booming economy." (08:34)

• Gloria: "Not all people are the same and not all people come here to do bad things. We seem simply come to work." (09:11)

This episode of The Indicator offers a comprehensive examination of the intersection between immigration policy and labor markets, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current economic landscape and the critical role of immigrant workers in sustaining key industries.