COLDWATER — More questions than answers remain about the status of Haitian immigrants in Branch County, following President Trump’s revocation of Temporary Protection Status for hundreds of thousands of Haitians in the US in August.
According to General Manager Joe Hughes, Clemens Food Group, Branch County’s largest employer, employs approximately 400 Haitians out of the nearly 1,700 workers at the Coldwater pork processing plant.
Hughes attended a presentation by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Kalamazoo office on Saturday at Coldwater Community Center.
Hughes stated that the Haitian workers are an important part of his workforce. “We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but we are working with every immigrant employee on various visa statuses, trying to determine what their needs are and what their options are,” he told me.
According to Hughes, losing so many employees would have an impact on the plant’s operations. “These are people actually doing the day-to-day work.”
Hughes stated that missing one day of work would have little impact. “If team members who work online do not show up, the product will not be made. Customers do not receive their product. And that is what we are all about.
The general manager stated that if these employees lost their legal status, it would have a huge impact. You can’t remove that many people from an operation and expect it to run efficiently.”
Hughes praised the Haitians who came to Coldwater for jobs. He described them as responsible and capable employees, who benefited both Clemens and the community.
Hughes stated, “The people coming into the state are desperately trying to assimilate into American culture. I’m glad they came here. “I hope they can stay.”
Clemens plans to begin construction on a $150 million expansion of its Newton Road plant soon. The expansion will result in an additional 400 employees by the fall of 2026.
Hughes stated that the loss of Haitian employees may have an impact on short-term expansion plans. “Long term, we would continue to move forward, but it would have a big impact.”
Legal aid from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center explained what rights immigrants, both legal and illegal, have under US law.
The MIRC advises immigrants to obey the law, not open their doors without a warrant, and not try to hide.
With over 80 categories that allow for legal status, individuals must determine how they will be able to stay.
The center provides referrals to immigration attorneys, but most of them charge fees.
The United States granted Haitian Temporary Protection Status in response to the country’s 2010 earthquake, Haiti’s lawlessness following the November 2016 election, and President Jovenel Moise’s assassination on July 7, 2021.
Some Haitians have H-2A visas, which allow businesses to hire foreign labor when US workers are not available or interested in open positions.
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, crop production employs the majority of immigrants in agriculture. Currently, 59% of farm laborers are from other countries, and approximately 45% of those in meat production are foreign-born. It is estimated that 13% are Haitians.
