Most Americans Want Migrant Farmworkers to Stay in the U.S. and Support Programs That Strengthen Food Production

A new nationwide survey has revealed something both timely and surprisingly unified: most Americans believe migrant farmworkers should be allowed to remain in the United States to support the country’s food production system. Conducted by Morning Consult in partnership with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), the survey found that 65% of adults support creating a special program that would let migrant farmworkers stay in the country legally to help stabilize the agricultural workforce.

This topic matters more than usual right now. The U.S. is in the middle of the harvest season, and many classic holiday foods—sweet potatoes, pumpkins, pecans, cranberries—depend heavily on labor-intensive farm work. These crops require large numbers of workers alongside specialized machinery, and according to reporting cited in the survey, about half of farmers say they lack enough workers to meet their production needs. That shortage has become a recurring issue as the U.S. continues to rely on a workforce that is largely foreign-born.

The Survey’s Key Findings

The Morning Consult–PCRM survey reflects broad support across regions. The Midwest and Northeast—areas with high concentrations of farms—show especially strong backing for a program that would allow migrant farmworkers to remain in the country. This aligns with nationwide patterns showing that the agricultural workforce is already deeply tied to immigrant labor.

Current estimates indicate that roughly 70% of crop farmworkers in the U.S. are foreign-born, and around 41% lack authorization to work legally. These numbers highlight how dependent the agricultural sector is on migrant labor and how destabilizing workforce shortages can become for consumers.

PCRM staff emphasized that a dependable agricultural workforce helps keep nutritious foods accessible and affordable. When farms lack workers, production slows, costs rise, and seasonal foods can become more expensive or less available. During the holiday season, when families rely heavily on fresh produce for festive meals, these impacts become even more apparent.

PCRM itself is a nonprofit health advocacy organization with 17,000 physician members nationwide. Among its initiatives is the Convert to Crops program, which offers grants to farmers growing fruits, vegetables, and other foods that support healthier diets.

Americans Are Also Open to Turkey-Free Holiday Dishes

The same survey explored another holiday-season topic: Americans’ openness to plant-based Thanksgiving dishes. Surprisingly, 75% of adults said at least one turkey-free dish sounded appealing. The options included Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Autumn Stew, and butternut squash stuffed with wild rice, cranberries, and pecans.

In addition, 64% of adults said they would consider focusing on less expensive—but still traditional—holiday dishes. With food prices still a concern for many households, this finding connects directly to another piece of research the survey cites: plant-based meals can cut grocery costs by about 19% compared to a standard American diet, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

Health Studies Highlight Benefits of Plant-Based Eating

The survey also references a recent study involving 22 pairs of identical twins, which adds another layer of insight. One twin from each pair followed a plant-based diet for eight weeks, while the other maintained an omnivorous diet. Researchers found that twins on the plant-based diet experienced:

lower LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol,
weight loss, and
measurable improvements in heart health.

The twin study adds to a long list of research showing that plant-based diets can support healthy weight management, lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of diabetes.

The inclusion of this health data connects back to PCRM’s larger mission: supporting dietary patterns and food systems that promote long-term public health.

Why Migrant Farmworkers Are So Essential

To better understand the significance of the survey findings, it helps to look at the broader context of U.S. agriculture and the workforce that sustains it.

The agricultural system in the United States depends heavily on manual labor, especially for fruit, vegetable, and nut crops. While automation has advanced in some areas, many tasks—like hand-picking delicate produce—simply cannot be mechanized effectively.

Over time, the U.S. has seen a decline in farm labor from domestic sources. Fewer Americans pursue jobs in agricultural fields, and farmers now rely more than ever on migrant workers, many of whom come to the U.S. seeking work opportunities unavailable in their home countries.

Labor shortages have become a major concern in recent years. Without enough workers, farms may reduce production, which can lead to:

higher prices,
increased imports of foods that could otherwise be grown domestically, and
reduced availability of seasonal produce.

The survey’s finding—that most Americans support allowing migrant farmworkers to remain in the U.S.—suggests that the public recognizes the importance of this labor force for the nation’s food supply.

Holiday Foods and Their Labor Demands

The article’s mention of holiday foods like sweet potatoes and cranberries isn’t just festive flair—they illustrate how interconnected farm labor and holiday traditions are.

For example:

Cranberry harvesting often requires specialized flooding and mechanical berry collection but still depends on workers to oversee and manage operations.
Pumpkins need hand labor throughout the season for pruning, weeding, harvesting, and sorting.
Pecans require both labor and equipment for tree shaking, gathering, and processing.

These are foods many people see as staples of Thanksgiving and Christmas, yet most consumers rarely consider the complex labor needs behind them.

A Growing Conversation About Food Security

Support for a program that helps migrant farmworkers remain legally in the U.S. also ties into broader national discussions about food security, supply chain stability, and worker protections.

With so much public support now documented, policymakers and agricultural leaders may face increasing pressure to devise solutions that stabilize the workforce while addressing immigration system challenges. Programs like the existing H-2A temporary agricultural visa help but are often criticized as too complex or too slow to meet real-world needs.

The survey’s numbers show that Americans may be more open than political debates often suggest to pragmatic approaches that keep the food system functioning smoothly.

Why the Survey Matters

This news highlights several important themes:

America depends deeply on a largely foreign-born agricultural workforce.
Many consumers value food affordability and availability, especially during the holidays.
Plant-based diets continue gaining acceptance, partly because they can be cost-effective and healthier.
Public support for migrant farmworkers is strong across multiple regions.

Bringing all these elements together paints a picture of an agricultural system that is both vulnerable and vital—one that requires thoughtful policy and public awareness to keep functioning well.