Immigrant Farmworkers in Coachella Valley Forced to Work Night Shifts Amid ICE Fears

As part of our ongoing series, Voices in the Shadows, NBC Palm Springs is shedding light on the lives of immigrant farmworkers in the Coachella Valley who live under constant fear of deportation. The increased presence of ICE and Border Patrol has forced many to change their daily routines, including shifting their working hours into the night.

In the eastern part of the Coachella Valley, while most farmworkers head home at sunset, others begin their day under the cover of darkness. For them, the night provides a sense of security, with fewer chances of encountering immigration enforcement. Lupita, an immigrant who has worked the fields for decades, explained her decision to harvest crops only after sundown. “I chose to work the night shifts due to the presence of ICE and Border Patrol in our communities,” she said. “At this point, we haven’t seen much activity from those agencies once the sun sets, so we feel slightly safer.”

But that safety comes with new dangers, including snakes and wildlife in the fields. Lupita and others also limit leaving their homes and rely on a support network to share warnings when immigration agents are spotted nearby. “When we see or hear news about ICE agents, we immediately warn each other through a phone call or text and help each other leave the field safely,” Lupita added.

Field supervisors confirm they have seen a drop in labor since January, as workers are too fearful to show up. “They’re scared of being separated from their families,” one supervisor explained. “The second they hear of ICE activity nearby, they won’t show up for days. And that’s a loss for everyone.”

For many, the choice to work at night is about survival. While the darkness offers temporary relief, uncertainty remains. Their stories reflect a community reshaping its way of life in response to escalating enforcement, caught between the need to work and the fear of being torn from their families.

For More in this series, click: HERE

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