ICE Enforcement Hits Kansas Meatpacking Operations, Ranchers Say
Increased actions by US immigration enforcement are creating significant disruption to beefpacking operations in Kansas, an area where nearly all of the country’s major processors have operations.
US immigration enforcement efforts are disrupting beefpacking operations in Kansas, affecting thousands of cattle set to be shipped to processors, according to a joint statement from rancher industry groups. Disruptions have also been reported at various supply chain points, from beef processors to feed and grain companies, the statement added.
The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and Texas Cattle Feeders Association said that these ICE operations are causing a substantial chilling effect on legal, documented, skilled workers who contribute to beef production and maintain the cattle supply chain.
The situation is occurring at a time when the US is already facing tight beef supplies due to a small cattle herd, leading to record-high consumer prices. A significant portion of the US meat industry relies on immigrant labor, with 45% of meatpacking workers at the beginning of the pandemic being foreign-born, as per the American Immigration Council.
ICE has intensified its arrest efforts in recent months, following a lull in the spring after two US citizens were killed in shooting incidents in January. In July and August, ICE agents recorded around 50,000 arrests per month, according to federal arrest data and DHS disclosures.
ICE has altered its operational strategy, shifting away from targeting specific cities and now deploying agents across the country to apprehend those wanted for deportation and arrest individuals suspected of being in the country without permission. The USDA reported that national cattle slaughter figures were 90,000 on Thursday, a 17,000 decrease from the previous week.
Kansas, the second-largest state for commercial cattle processing, processed over 20% of the US's cattle in August, with more than half a million slaughtered there. Major meat processors like National Beef, owned by Brazil's MBRF Global Foods Co., Cargill, Tyson Foods Inc., and others have operations in Dodge City, Liberal, and Holcomb. However, the companies did not respond to requests for comment.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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