The St. Pierres have issued a statement stating all workers were hired legally:
"On April 21, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents detained several of our employees. We do not know the details or reasons at this time. We have cooperated fully with their instructions.
"Our employees were hired following the federal and state employment requirements. We remain supportive of our employees and appreciative of the valuable role they play in our community, performing essential work on our farm.
"We hope this matter is resolved quickly. Any other questions will need to be directed to US Customs and Border agents."
Moving forward, you need to be a registered user to post on this thread as clearly this is a controversial topic which really has our visitors energized.
In reality, only migrants are willing to take on these 'back-breaking' jobs for minimal pay. They are not taking jobs away from any US citizen.
This x1000. We're never going to have any meaningful discussion about immigration if we don't recognize that the dairy, meat, and produce industries are absolutely reliant on migrant workers. Probably 10 years or so a NC farmer tried to hire only Americans. They all quit.
It says the farm is near the Canadian border and more importantly it’s the largest dairy farm in Vermont. That makes it a pretty easy target as the majority of large farms have illegal migrant workers.
I gotta say, as a non-MA6A Trump voter, I don’t like targeting migrants working on a farm. They are doing work that nobody wants to do at that wage.
The fines to the company can be pretty significant if they don’t course correct quickly.
I used to follow Elle on IG, and she did make it look like she and her husband did all of the work. Never saw any pictures of “the help”.
I want to echo that there is no such thing as a trump voter who doesn’t support trumps agenda.
This is a serious story. I want more information to come out. Was this ice seeing people who look “illegal” and harassing them? Or is this a crackdown on the farms corrupt activities?
it is true that Elle makes it look like she and Jamie do all the backbreaking work on the farm. I’m very curious to see where this goes. Because if they’re not paying their workers and taking advantage, that is extremely serious
They “make it look like they do all the back breaking work”- not judging, but if you thought that, you don’t know much about a farm. It would be like a saying a CEO with a personal Instagram account “made it look like je/she does all the work”. It’s obviously a business with employees.
In reality, only migrants are willing to take on these 'back-breaking' jobs for minimal pay. They are not taking jobs away from any US citizen.
This x1000. We're never going to have any meaningful discussion about immigration if we don't recognize that the dairy, meat, and produce industries are absolutely reliant on migrant workers. Probably 10 years or so a NC farmer tried to hire only Americans. They all quit.
What was the pay? Benefits?
If Americans can't live on what the farmer wanted to pay, can you tell us how Migrants would live off the same pay?
Funny that Libertarianism is getting downvoted here.
It is my money, I want to pay a person to do a job that they want to do. The Big Government is telling me I can't do what I want to do with my own money on my own farm?
Next thing you know, they'll be telling me how to live my life!
We agree here. I have a job for $12/hr. There is a migrant that wants to start a new life in the US and wants that job. Win/win.
More than the 1st two amendments (which I should have known would get a reaction), I want the government out of my business if I’m not hurting anyone.
I still think we needed to stop the influx and vet people coming across our borders. But we have a lot of hard working immigrants already here, not breaking the law. Leave them alone.
This x1000. We're never going to have any meaningful discussion about immigration if we don't recognize that the dairy, meat, and produce industries are absolutely reliant on migrant workers. Probably 10 years or so a NC farmer tried to hire only Americans. They all quit.
What was the pay? Benefits?
If Americans can't live on what the farmer wanted to pay, can you tell us how Migrants would live off the same pay?
Migrants often live in dormitories or shared environments where dozens of people sleep in bunk beds in shared rooms.
They often don't drive a car, but are bused from the dorm to whichever field needs attention.
If Americans can't live on what the farmer wanted to pay, can you tell us how Migrants would live off the same pay?
I’m generalizing but have you seen undocumented immigrant families? They live a 8-12 people in one house. Half of them are working long hours. They have 1 or 2 beat up trucks between all of them.
The next generation gets educated and goes on to better things. Americans are too good to live like that, myself included.
I’m close with both of my brothers, but no way I’m living in the same house as their families.
Looks like the USA has the same problem as the UK - unscrupulous employers using migrants like slave labour. Fine them millions and get American citizens into the jobs. Don't like it, then shut down your business.
do you really think Americans are going to do those jobs?
And if so, at what cost. You want to pay $10 a gallon for milk? Be real
Of course Americans aren't going to do these jobs, even able bodied young men playing video games in their parents' basements who are offered $30 an hour.
But the current admin campaigned and won on getting rid of "illegals." It is what it is.
This x1000. We're never going to have any meaningful discussion about immigration if we don't recognize that the dairy, meat, and produce industries are absolutely reliant on migrant workers. Probably 10 years or so a NC farmer tried to hire only Americans. They all quit.
What was the pay? Benefits?
If Americans can't live on what the farmer wanted to pay, can you tell us how Migrants would live off the same pay?
It wasn't the pay as much as the difficulty of the work. I was wrong, they didn't all quit, 7 out of 245 Americans hired made it through the season.
"Operating since 1986, Pleasant Valley milks over 3,000 cows across 10,000 acres. The farm is owned and operated by Mark and Amanda St. Pierre, with their son Jamie St. Pierre who is also involved in management and is married to Vermont Olympic runner Elle St. Pierre."
Eight arrested, ranging in age from 22 to 41. Official statement by Amanda St. Pierre.
LRC note: Here is her statement
"On April 21, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents detained several of our employees. We do not know the details or reasons at this time. We have cooperated fully with their instructions.
"Our employees were hired following the federal and state employment requirements. We remain supportive of our employees and appreciative of the valuable role they play in our community, performing essential work on our farm.
"We hope this matter is resolved quickly. Any other questions will need to be directed to US Customs and Border agents."
