Cattle associations in three red states have issued a joint statement warning that recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are disrupting their workforce and could severely impact the beef supply chain.

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Kansas Livestock Association, and Texas Cattle Feeders Association released a statement, saying that while they respect federal agencies’ role in enforcing immigration law, ICE operations are disrupting the workforce for cattle producers, feed yards, dairies, livestock markets, processors, and other rural businesses.

“Sudden workforce disruptions can create immediate animal-welfare, operational, and economic consequences that extend well beyond an individual business,” they wrote. “These ICE operations are having a massive chilling effect on the legal, documented, skilled workers that put beef on the table and keep the cattle supply chain moving. Additionally, these types of disruptions will lead to higher beef prices for consumers.”

Officials say the impact on businesses includes delays in cattle processing, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue.

ICE raids under the Trump administration have caused widespread fear in the immigrant community leading many workers to stay home and miss shifts out of concern for detention or deportation.

This week, the Trump administration ramped up ICE activity in Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Republican Sen. Roger Marshall (KS), who is in a competitive re-election fight, released a statement calling for ICE to coordinate with local law enforcement during raids.

“When ICE operates in Kansas, it needs to coordinate with our local law enforcement,” Marshall posted on social media. “Our sheriffs and police know these communities better than anyone, and working together keeps officers and residents safe. I’m closely following what’s happening in SW Kansas and have been in direct contact with Secretary Mullin and local law enforcement as ICE executes warrants in order to keep Kansans safe.”

In their statement, the cattle organizations urged federal officials to conduct enforcement actions “in a lawful, orderly, and transparent manner,” while respecting due process and communicating clearly with affected employers and communities.