Then they weren’t offering to pay enough wages for the work. IF they would pay more, they’d had plenty of people out there to pick the veggies.
A lot of the produce I get from Northern CA is in crappy shape by the time I get it here in Southern OR. Let ‘em keep it and California too... I’m outta there anyway...
Years ago they had a good program - I think it was called the “bracero” program whereby the farmer associations were permitted to arrange with labor companies who hired Mexicans, brought them in to do the farm work and then return them to their homes in Mexico. No families were involved - just workers who were provided food and shelter and transportation to and from and, of course - wages.
Then the farm unions entered the picture, convinced the workers they were being exploited, and presto - a good program comes to an end.