Migrant Workers on the East End

With the approach of warmer weather, Long Island’s East End farms and wineries gear up for another year. Only this year, they’re not just concerned about the weather, they’re worried about ICE.

Migrant workers making up 65% of Long Island farm production; farmers and winery owners are dependent on them. It’s estimated that 2,000 workers are essential for Long Island farms, where they are paid between 17-25$ an hour. Long Island has almost 60 wineries and over 600 farms.

In a statistical study from 2020-22, 32% of US crop workers were US born, 7% were immigrants who had obtained citizenship, 19% were permanent residents or green card holders, and 42% had no work authorization.

Over half of crop workers in this country are immigrants. It takes 70 hours of labor to hand-harvest 1 acre of food. If 70% of farm workers don’t show up, 70% of a crop may not be picked and could spoil in one day. Meanwhile, 85% of fruits and vegetables are handpicked.

In February, ICE took 2 long time workers from Pindar Vineyards in Suffolk County, one of which had been an employee of 23 years. This action was upsetting to the winery and the community, and was followed up with local protests against ICE actions. At this time these workers still remain in detention centers. Along with the winery workers, a 20 year employee of a Shelter Island masonry was detained. He also remains at an undisclosed ICE location. Undocumented immigrants make up almost ¼ of construction workers.

With Spring and Summer approaching here on Long Island, it is a growing concern of what will happen to our farms, and home improvement companies, as well as the seasonal restaurants and hotels on our East End.

Stay safe and stay informed.