On April 1, 2025, over 5,000 farmworkers and union supporters gathered in Delano, California, to honor César Chávez Day with a powerful march.
Held at the historic Forty Acres site—where the legendary Delano grape strike began 60 years ago—the event spotlighted the ongoing struggles of farmworkers, particularly in light of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids under the Trump administration.
This article dives into the march’s significance, the challenges faced by undocumented farmworkers, and the broader call for labor protections, all while weaving in voices from the fields and beyond.
Table of Contents
A March Rooted in History
Sixty years ago, César Chávez, alongside Filipino American and Mexican American farmworkers, launched the Delano grape strike—a pivotal moment in the fight for labor rights.
That movement sparked a 280-mile march to Sacramento, amplifying the voices of those who toil in America’s fields.
Fast forward to 2025, and the United Farm Workers (UFW) returned to this sacred ground for a rally dubbed “Con Estas Manos” (“With These Hands”).
The message?
A reminder of the hands that feed the nation—and a fierce pushback against policies threatening their livelihoods.
This year’s César Chávez Day march wasn’t just a celebration; it was a protest. With ICE raids intensifying in California’s Central Valley, farmworkers are living in fear.
The UFW estimates that 60-70% of California’s farmworkers lack legal immigration status—far higher than the 50% reported by the University of California, Irvine, or the 42% nationwide figure from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
These workers, who harvest one-third of America’s vegetables and three-fourths of its fruits and nuts, say they’re caught in a vise: work to survive, or risk detention and deportation.
Voices from the Fields
Carolina Sanchez knows the stakes firsthand.
A farmworker since 2016, she joined the UFW after her employer slashed pay rates at a Delano blueberry farm.
“They told us, ‘If you don’t like it, leave,’” she recalled. Unwilling to back down, Sanchez rallied 500 coworkers for a strike, securing a union contract with UFW support.
Now a union rep, she led this year’s march, mobilizing her peers to demand dignity and safety.
Gabriel Leal, a grape and cherry picker, shared a similar urgency.
In January, he watched ICE agents detain friends during roadside raids.
“They were everywhere, stopping anyone,” he said.
“We’re scared, but we can’t stop working. Who else will feed our families—or the country?”
His words echo the rally’s core theme: farmworkers are indispensable, yet vulnerable.
ICE Raids Fuel Fear—and Resistance
Since the Trump administration ramped up immigration enforcement, Kern County alone has seen roughly 200 farmworkers detained or deported, according to UFW Secretary Treasurer Armando Elenes.
He argues official statistics undercount the undocumented workforce, suggesting the real figure nears 70%.
“These raids tear families apart,” Elenes said.
“Temporary visas won’t fix this—we need real protections like sick days, heat safeguards, and healthcare.”
The march drew allies beyond the fields.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose parents worked with the UFW, spoke to the crowd.
“This fight isn’t about crops—it’s about people,” he said, reflecting on his Filipino roots and the legacy of cross-cultural organizing.
Leaders from the California Federation of Labor Unions and SEIU California also joined, amplifying the call for state and local laws to shield workers.
A Divided Community
Not everyone in Kern County opposes the ICE crackdown.
Alex Dominguez, a Republican water and agriculture attorney with deep ties to the region’s farming heritage, sees a silver lining.
“It’s the bad actors being targeted,” he said, suggesting the raids bolster safety for Latino families.
As vice president of the Kern County Farm Bureau, Dominguez hears from growers and workers alike.
“They’re still showing up,” he noted.
“Not working isn’t an option.”
Yet for marchers like Paul Chavez, César’s son, the goal isn’t to sway skeptics—it’s to unite supporters.
“We’re here to stand against racism and xenophobia,” he said.
“This is about showing farmworkers they’re not alone.”
Why This Matters Now
California’s farmworkers are the backbone of a $50 billion agricultural industry, yet many live in the shadows.
With ICE raids escalating, their plight has reignited debates over immigration, labor rights, and economic necessity.
The UFW’s push for broader protections—beyond temporary visas—taps into a growing movement for systemic change.
Meanwhile, stories like Sanchez’s and Leal’s humanize the statistics, offering a glimpse into the resilience driving the rally.
The Legacy Lives On
As the crowd swelled at Forty Acres, former UFW President Arturo Rodriguez rallied attendees with a nod to Chávez’s enduring impact.
For Sanchez, the day was a testament to that legacy.
“We all know what César accomplished,” she said.
“His fight is ours—and we won’t forget it.”
On April 1, 2025, Delano became more than a historic site—it became a battleground for justice.
With “Con Estas Manos,” farmworkers sent a clear message: they’ll keep feeding America, but they demand a seat at the table.
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