Immigration crackdown hits dairy industry with labor shortages, compliance pressure

Katelyn Winberg
Mar 26, 2026
2 hrs ago

Dairy Immigration (2).JPG — Amanda J. Bahena of Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith P.C. speaks during the “Immigration Law Updates for Employers” session at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, where she outlined recent policy changes and compliance challenges affecting dairy producers.
Tri-State Neighbor Photo by Katelyn Winberg

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Dairy producers are losing workers, facing stricter federal inspections and navigating a tangle of canceled visa programs. An immigration attorney who works with agricultural employers across the region says it’s only going to get harder.

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Born and raised on a farm in southeastern South Dakota, Katelyn currently resides in Sioux Falls. She enjoys attending SDSU football games (her alma mater), going to farmer’s markets and visiting her parents at their family farm. Reach her at kwinberg@tristateneighbor.com.