As the second Trump administration intensifies ICE raids across the United States, Suffolk County, Long Island, is witnessing a surge in fear among immigrant communities. Many undocumented workers, essential to the region's farming and agricultural industries, are now reluctant to leave their homes, fearing apprehension and separation from their families. This heightened anxiety is impacting not only their workforce participation but also their mental well-being.
Monday, February 3, 2025 11:15 PM SOUTHOLD, Suffolk County (WABC) -- As ICE raids ramp up across the country under the second Trump administration, fear is increasing among immigrants just trying to make an honest living in Suffolk County, Long Island .
A drive to the east end of Long Island on a blustery winter day is where the empty fields of farms and vineyards are pretty much the norm, but come spring, will there be a labor force to fill them? 'I feel like there's a lot of fear,' said Ashely, the daughter of two undocumented immigrants from El Salvador. The 16-year-old stood on a very long line for the Open Arms food pantry in Riverhead. Like many, her father does work that's vital to homeowners and the economy. But now, her parents are too scared to get out of their car.'He's been going to work because he has to have money for the family, but I mean, yeah, it's like the fear,' she said. Advocates that work with immigrants in Riverhead describe a situation where people are watching the arrests and wondering if ICE will show up next at their job sites. 'The mood borders on increasing terror,' said Richard Witt of Rural & Migrant Ministry. 'They are not only not working or not going to school, but it's also impacting their mental well-being.' That's not what some business owners believe. The owner of Coastal Plantings in Peconic, who voted for President Donald Trump, thinks his administration does have the economy in mind and won't go beyond targeting those who have broken the law. 'The ones that are here to work, I don't think they have anything to worry about,' said Coastal Plantings owner Ian Zuhoski. 'Truly, if our workforce leaves, everybody's screwed. In simple terms, you know people have to get out and do their own work and mow their own lawns. You know, I don't see that happening.' Still, research shows that over half the crop workers in this country are immigrants. The vast majority who are undocumented or seasonal, as they are on the North Fork. The question now, what does that mean for the future of critical labor?' 'Folks are not going to have folks taking care of their homes,' Witt said. 'Folks are not going to have folks taking care of their children if they have nannies.''They're afraid. They're afraid they're going be separated from their children,' said food pantry volunteer Regina Astor. 'They are afraid that they are going to go back to unstable countries.
IMMIGRATION ICE TRUMP LONG ISLAND FARMING LABOR FEAR
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wall of ice the size of Rhode Island heading toward penguin-packed island off AntarcticaThe world’s biggest iceberg — a 130-foot (40-meter) tall wall of ice the size of Rhode Island — that had shaken loose of its mooring is lumbering toward a remote island off Antarctica that’s home to millions of penguins and seals.
Read more »
Teenager Dies After Falling Through Ice While Ice SkatingA 16-year-old boy tragically lost his life after falling through ice while ice skating with his younger brother in Wayne County, Ohio.
Read more »
Harbin Ice and Snow World Draws Visitors with Elaborate Ice SculpturesThe annual Harbin Ice and Snow World festival in northeast China is a major tourist attraction, featuring elaborate ice sculptures of famous landmarks and thrilling ice slides.
Read more »
Disney on Ice skating dream begins in Cleveland and brings skater to ice in ClevelandTickets are still on sale for 'Disney on Ice: Let's Dance' at RocketMortgage FieldHouse from Jan.15 to 19.
Read more »
Ice Cream Truck Mistaken for ICE Vehicle Sparks Online PanicBilly Settlemyers, owner of Las Vegas Ice Cream Patrol, found himself targeted by online accusations after his truck was mistaken for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle. A social media user falsely claimed the truck was part of a plot to round up illegal migrants, sparking fear and violent threats against Settlemyers.
Read more »
Ancient Ice Shelf Suggests West Antarctica Might Not Collapse EntirelyA study on an Antarctic ice shelf suggests that the West Antarctic ice sheet may be more resilient to complete collapse due to climate change than previously thought. Analysis of an ice core indicated that the Ronne ice shelf persisted during a warm period over 120,000 years ago, offering hope that the ice sheet might not entirely melt. However, uncertainties remain, and sea level rise from melting ice is still a major concern.
Read more »