In the Press: Mary Choate Interviewed on CNN’s “All Over the Map” with John King
Nebraska’s agricultural industry relies heavily on immigrant labor, yet Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown is creating widespread fear and uncertainty. As CNN reports, many workers now hesitate to leave their homes, fearing deportation—even those with pending asylum cases.
“We really want to keep immigrants and refugees involved in the community because they’re so integral to our community,” said Mary Choate, executive director of the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance. “But it’s been very difficult for them to be able to do that because they fear going outside of their homes.”
“We really want to keep immigrants and refugees involved in the community because they’re so integral to our community, but it’s been very difficult for them to be able to do that because they fear going outside of their homes.”
The stakes are high for Nebraska’s economy. The state is a national leader in beef and pork production, and labor shortages could disrupt the food supply chain. Farmers and business leaders warn that aggressive deportation efforts could have serious economic consequences, making it harder to find reliable workers.
Despite these concerns, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has pledged state resources to support Trump’s enforcement measures. Meanwhile, local leaders in Omaha and Lincoln have taken a different approach, prioritizing community stability over federal enforcement efforts.
For many immigrants, daily life has become fraught with anxiety. Stories like that of “G,” a Honduran journalist seeking asylum, highlight the personal toll of these policies. She fled to the U.S. for safety, but now fears her case will be overturned.
Read the full article or watch the video on CNN’s website.
As Nebraska navigates this uncertain landscape, the question remains: how can we balance enforcement with the economic and humanitarian realities of its immigrant workforce?
You can support our work in helping immigrants and refugees in Nebraska by donating.
Thank you to CNN for hosting Mary and for sharing immigrants’ concerns.
