Editor’s note: The People’s Tribune talked with Art and Helen Tanderup, farmers from Neligh, Nebraska, about how things in Nebraska are going given President Trump’s immigration policy to round up farmworkers, and the effect of tariffs on farmers. We also asked about U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ statement that deportations of farmworkers would continue, and that the 34 million able-bodied adults in the Medicaid program could fulfill the need for farm laborers. (Most people on Medicaid who can are already working.) Art and Helen are leaders in the successful fight to stop the proposed TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline from running dirty tar sands oil through Nebraska, destroying farmland and Native lands, and potentially endangering the Ogallala Aquifer, the largest fresh water aquifer in existence.— Sandra Reid, People’s Tribune.
“We are so disappointed and angry with what is going on in the country. Small farmers are being hit hard with low prices, high inputs, etc. The “Big Ugly Bill” will benefit big and corporate agriculture.
Over the years, a lot of immigrants have moved to Nebraska for various agricultural jobs; meat packing, hog confinements, chicken confinements, dairies, big feedlots, etc. Over the years there has been acceptance of the immigrant population. Many are integral members of our small rural communities. Of course there are still some racists, but acceptance has become the norm.
During Trump 1, ICE raided the hydroponic tomato plant in O’Neill, Nebraska. It’s very similar to the raids now. The community stepped up, took care of kids, reuniting families. The tomato plant now sits empty, waiting for the potential opportunity to grow medical marijuana.
Most places are having trouble with people showing up for work. People are scared, even if they have the right paperwork. One of our friends who works in the Norfolk school system said that several families have taken their kids out of school and won’t tell anyone where they are going.
The Agricultural Secretary’s solution for Medicaid recipients to take the place of the migrants in the field [to pay for their Medicaid] is totally ridiculous.
On a little bit positive note, the King has ticked Canada off so much that I don’t think we need to worry about KXL in the near future. However, it would not surprise me if he uses it as a trade bargaining chip sometime in the future. We have to have hope that the madness will come to an end soon. —Best. Art and Helen
Some video links that show the resistance in the area:
Good Trouble Day protest in Sioux City IA. There is a very large immigrant population in this area with a huge beef packing plant. Local activists protested across state lines. See video:
Handmaids in rural Norfolk, NE. Video by Blue Nebraska
Handmaids pay a visit to Mike Flood’s office (U.S. Representative)
