Labor Conditions of Mexican Origin Farmworkers: The Significance of Undocumented Immigrant Status

Background. Farmwork in the United States is closely linked with labor migration from Latin America, particularly Mexico. Estimates from the National Agricultural Worker Survey indicate that 90% of the 1.4 million farmworkers in the U.S., and virtually all (95%) Mexican-origin farmworkers, are immigrants. We know that the farmworker population is highly economically disadvantaged. Farmworkers grapple with unstable seasonal work, which often translates to a situation of economic insecurity. This is compounded by the fact that they are excluded from many employment protections provided by the Fair Labor Standards Act. However, less is known about the mechanisms behind the labor disadvantage of farmworkers. This study uses the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) to explore the economic circumstances and working conditions experienced by Mexican immigrant farmworkers by examining the role of immigrantion status.

Methods. The National Agricultural Workers Survey is a nationally representative survey of U.S. farmworkers (n=56,976 from 1989-2012). The NAWS is a unique data source because it identifies both both citizen/authorized and undocumented workers. The data contains detailed information on farmworker households and their work environments. To account for the seasonal nature of agricultural work, NAWS uses stratified multistage sampling and conducts interviews at different times of the year. Our study focused on Mexican immigrant farmworkers (n=41,414) over the entire study period. We document the demographic characteristics, economic circumstances and working conditions of these households over time and conduct comparative analyses by immigration and migrant statuses.

Results. The farmworker population in the United States from 1989-2012 is largely immigrant (over 78%) and the majority (54%) have lived in the United States for over five years. Among Mexican immigrants, this proportion is even higher, 68%, with an average of 12 years in the US. Over a quarter (30%) immigrated as children. Most are male (83%), married or cohabiting (63%), and have children (57%). Already excluded from many of the labor protections enjoyed by workers in other occupations, the majority of Mexican immigrant farmworkers in this sample are additionally excluded from access to social safety net programs due to immigration status. About 56% of respondents are undocumented, 35.5% are citizens or legal permanent residents and 9% hold another form of work authorization (not H2-A). Additionally, many migrate for work (13% migrate in the US and over a quarter are international shuttlers). Low socioeconomic status impacts farmworkers and their families, almost three-quarters of respondents (70.4%) report income of less than $20,000 annually. Immigration status has a significant impact- among farmworkers making over $40,000 annually, 92% had a legal immigration status while 64% of farmworkers that live below the poverty line are undocumented. The proportion of Mexican immigrants living above poverty in general, however, does appear to be increasing over time.

 Implications. Our findings reveal that Mexican immigrant farmworkers face substantial occupational insecurity. One of the key driving forces behind their occupational insecurity is undocumented status.  Understanding their economic and work situations will help to inform policy initiatives to support improvement in economic an occupational outcomes.