Reliance on foreignborn workers is even greater in California than nationally. NAWS interviews in California during FY 2003 – FY 2004 found that 95% of the state’s crop farm laborers were foreign-born [Aguirre, 2005]. Just
40 years earlier, about half of California’s farm laborers were U.S.-born [California, 1969]. Moreover, the NAWS findings indicate the California share of all U.S. hired crop workers has been increasing in recent years, from 25% in FY
1989 – FY 1990 to 36% in FY 2003 – FY 2004 [Aguirre,
2005].