In the heart of Florida's agricultural landscape lies Plant City, a hub for strawberry farming and a testament to the labor-intensive nature of the agricultural industry. However, beneath the vibrant fields of strawberries lies a story of struggle and resilience for immigrant workers in the face of new immigration laws. The passage of SB 1718 last year brought significant challenges for Plant City's migrant workforce, particularly for employers and undocumented workers. The law mandates that employers with 25 or more workers must register with the national E-Verify system which is used to verify the legal status of employees, creating barriers for both employers and immigrant workers alike. As a result, farms have become understaffed during the critical period of the strawberry season, unable to meet the demand for labor despite ample crops ready for harvest.
The immigrant workers who have long been the backbone of Plant City's agricultural industry now face increased uncertainty and fear. The threat of having their legal status revealed by E-Verify has led some to avoid seeking employment altogether. In fact, the economic impact of this legislation extends beyond the fields of Plant City. Immigrant workers, who contribute significantly to the economy through their labor and are estimated by the federal government to make up 40% of farm workers in the U.S., now find themselves marginalized and excluded from employment opportunities due to their legal status. However, amidst these challenges, farmers and advocates in Plant City are rallying for change, calling for a reevaluation of immigration laws to address the needs of both employers and workers. Emphasizing the vital role immigrant workers play in sustaining the agricultural industry, they urge policymakers to consider the impact of legislation like SB 1718. In the face of adversity, immigrant workers in Plant City continue to persevere, their stories serving as a reminder of the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of their immigration status. As we navigate the complexities of immigration policy in Florida and beyond, let us not forget the human faces behind the statistics—the hardworking men and women who cultivate the fruits of our labor and enrich our communities with their contributions.
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Our story starts in Plant City and its surrounding area, Dover. This is where we live, and where we attend high school at Strawberry Crest. Geographically, the area is surrounded by endless acres of strawberry fields and shops offering tasty strawberry treats. Plant city serves the larger community of residents by offering a vibrant tapestry of festivals, community events, and places to visit throughout the year such as The Strawberry Festival and Parkesdale Farms. In fact, Senator John McCain and Barack Obama have made stops to this Dover gem. If you go to the City of Plant City Florida website, you will see that Plant City is called the “Winter Strawberry Capital of The World”. Established by an entrepreneur named Henry Plant in 1885, he incorporated the city with the Florida charter to build his railroad that connected the city to the north. Sustaining the city’s large cotton industry, the railroad allowed the city to gain more migrants looking for better opportunities on large plantations. Eventually, the FSGA (Florida Strawberry Growers Association) was established as the farmers transitioned to strawberries from cotton. They now represent over 8,000 acres of strawberries, cementing the rightful name of Plant City as the strawberry capital of the world. However, this illustrious community has its problems. It has a history of discrimination, indicated as early as the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl where as land-owners shifted to farmers, hundreds of thousands of immigrants were deported to allow white farmers to have a sustainable standard of living. African Americans worked on the cotton plantations and in farms in Florida for minimal wages until the 1960s. Once the civil rights movement picked up momentum, the rights of African Americans were codified, shifting them to more white-collar and office based occupations. Consequently, this brought a new wave of predominately Hispanic immigrant workers who replaced those same low-wage, high intensity occupations. Additionally, new labor laws have restricted access to worker permits and opportunity, increasing unemployment. Children, women, and anyone with the ability to help were used on these farms to work and harvest. Although the modern age has brought increases in the standard of living, income, and access to educational opportunities, there are many grievances that families and immigrants have regarding their history and the struggles they continue to face even today. Our purpose is to connect these stories to the public, ensuring that their voices are heard. |