Two-year surveys of at least 1,500 farm workers conducted 1989-90 to 2021-22
A line chart that illustrates the immigration status of U.S. agricultural workers. Workers were surveyed in two-year batches from 1989-90 to 2021-22. The share of unauthorized workers peaked at 55% in 1999-2000, while citizen workers reached a high of 45% in 1989-1990. In 2021-2022, 32% of those surveyed were citizens, 42% were unauthorized, 18% had other work authorization and 8% were legalization applicants.