Hallie Shoffner Defends Undocumented Workers in Senate Race

Hallie Shoffner, a candidate aiming to unseat Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), has expressed strong support for “undocumented” farm workers, labeling them as incredibly diligent. She reflected on her own upbringing around such workers and addressed the reliance on foreign labor in agriculture, noting her involvement in a nonprofit that aided “undocumented Hispanics.”

During an interview with Andy McNeill on Free Arkansas, Shoffner stated, “Every farmer will tell you at one point, we did, or still do, employ undocumented immigrants, and it’s absolutely ridiculous that these folks are being rounded up because they’re hardworking people. They’re some of the best people we know, and honestly, we’d trade five Americans for just one of them because of how hard they work.”

She then questioned the lack of a legal pathway for these workers, saying, “We pay them well. They spend money here. They have family here.” Shoffner criticized the perception that all Republicans agree with their party’s stance on ICE, describing Cotton’s position as dismissive of differing viewpoints on safety and immigration, particularly as a parent.

Laura Loomer shared her thoughts on social media, claiming Shoffner prioritizes illegal immigrants and is, therefore, unfit for the Senate. In an interview segment discussed by Loomer, Shoffner found the costuming of ICE agents as excessive, stating, “The use of bulletproof vests seems kind of performative to me.”

Back in June, Shoffner noted that immigrants, with or without documents, play a vital role in the country’s “social, cultural, and economic fabric” and contribute significantly to small businesses. When asked about potentially defunding ICE, she replied, “I would vote to defund ICE as it exists right now,” expressing a belief that the agency has strayed from its intended purpose. She pointed instead to hunger among children in Arkansas as a pressing issue to address.

Later, Shoffner walked back her defunding statement, declaring a desire for reform instead. An Arkansas television anchor pressed her on claims regarding her stance on illegal immigration and whether she had made donations to Kamala Harris, to which she denied ever suggesting such things.

Her ties to immigrant communities extend back before her Senate campaign. Previously, she led Seis Puentes, a Little Rock organization dedicated to assisting the Latino community. In a 2012 interview, she mentioned that one objective was to help “undocumented Hispanics” navigate American systems.

In a January podcast, Shoffner shared her background in an immigrant community where many farm workers came from Mexico and Honduras, mentioning how some were undocumented, while their children were U.S. citizens or Dreamers. “I learned Spanish,” she added.

She has continuously advocated for foreign agricultural labor, emphasizing its importance to Arkansas farms. In a previous interview, she pointed out the critical role the H-2A program plays and questioned why policies do not more directly address farmers’ labor needs.

Shoffner has also voiced concerns regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s inspections of housing for H-2A workers, suggesting that such measures aim to hinder farmers’ success and labor access. “My only thinking is they don’t want farmers to access labor,” she noted.

On broader issues, she has tied agriculture to climate change, warning that environmental shifts threaten farming livelihoods and the future of her own family’s legacy. Shoffner criticized the previous administration for agricultural program changes, highlighting support initiatives for BIPOC farmers as essential in rural America.

In her advocacy, she has addressed racial disparities within the agricultural sector, recognizing her own privileges as a white farmer while emphasizing the systemic challenges faced by Black farmers. Shoffner has linked support for smaller operations to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“As a woman farmer running a small farm, I have been fortunate to participate in programs that support smaller operations like mine,” she stated in a LinkedIn post, underscoring the impact such initiatives have on access to opportunities typically limited by farm size.