The article discusses how the deportation of immigrant workers in the U.S. may lead to increased reliance on robotic labor on American farms, rather than the employment of American citizens.
The piece highlights the significant role that immigrant workers play in the American dairy industry, emphasizing that most milking is done by these laborers. However, at Dale Hemminger's farm in upstate New York, automation is already in place, with cows being milked by robots that clean and milk without human intervention. Additionally, Hemminger plans to introduce more robots to his farm to automate waste collection, pointing towards a future where agricultural robotic workers are common.
The article critiques President Donald Trump's immigration policies, suggesting that his assertion that deporting immigrants will create more job opportunities for Americans is flawed. The narrative asserts that the likely outcome will not be the hiring of American workers but rather the adoption of robotic solutions aimed at keeping production efficient and cost-effective. The implication here is stark: as technology continues to advance, many jobs may not just be filled by Americans but may simply disappear into automation altogether.
In the broader context, the discussion raises important questions about the future of labor in the United States, particularly within industries reliant on low-skilled labor. As farmers like Hemminger incorporate more automation, the pressure on labor policies will increase. There might be a significant decrease in job availability for both immigrant and American workers, prompting a reevaluation of workforce strategies and the economic implications of heavy reliance on robotics in agriculture and other industries.
