The continued national headlines about ICE operations—sweeping up undocumented and even legal immigrants—alongside the sharp rise in fruit and vegetable prices, give me reason to reflect on the deeper causes. As a retired Navy veteran and Idaho grandfather, I’ve watched with concern as enforcement goals collide with economic realities. Who truly bears the cost of these policies?

Many of the workers removed from our fields and packing plants were not criminals, but laborers doing jobs most Americans won’t—while quietly providing a better life for their families. Their absence is now felt in every grocery aisle. When enforcement becomes indiscriminate, we lose manpower, moral clarity—and revenue. These workers contribute to both Social Security and the general tax fund, often without receiving benefits in return.

A major part of the problem is the limited number of worker visas available. Congress has long known that our agricultural and service sectors rely on seasonal labor, yet it consistently fails to authorize enough visas to meet demand. Worse, the cost and complexity of the visa process often exclude the very people we need most. This failure fuels both labor shortages and undocumented migration.

I’m not advocating open borders. I’m advocating honest accounting. Idaho’s agricultural backbone depends on labor, and our families depend on affordable produce. We can be both lawful and humane—but only if we stop pretending that deportation solves everything.

Clint Dunn, Dayton, Idaho