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Big Ag’s Immigration Racket | Rising Anxieties

Our Hen House 17 June 2025


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This week, Mariann Sullivan dives into the disturbing synergy between immigration policies and the meat industry, exposing a system designed to exploit vulnerable workers. From the Trump administration’s extension of dangerous line speed waivers to the calculated immigration “crisis” that may lead to even more exploitative visa programs, the podcast reveals how Big Ag thrives on maintaining a vulnerable workforce. With line speeds doubling over the past half-century while wages have plummeted by 50% since 1975, workers—many undocumented—face crippling injuries and dangerous conditions while processing animals at breakneck speeds of up to six per minute.

  • Immigration raids seemingly targeting farms may be part of a larger strategy to revise H2A visas 
  • 30-50% of meat industry workers are undocumented, with foreign-born workers comprising 60-90% in some industries in some states
  • Ohio House unanimously passed a bill targeting plant-based alternatives and potentially banning lab-grown meat from schools and food stamp eligibility
  • Recent food safety concerns include 92,000 pounds of recalled milk and a salmonella outbreak from eggs affecting seven states

We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode’s interview.

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Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content!

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Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

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Join hostesses Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan on this unique and fun award-winning podcast that focuses on changing the world for animals.

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