LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mass deportations could trigger significant labor shortages and economic disruption across Kentucky, particularly in the restaurant and agriculture sectors, according to a new report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

The analysis, reported by WUKY 91.3 FM, indicates that removing a significant portion of the state's undocumented workforce would shrink Kentucky's overall labor pool at a time when many industries already struggle to fill positions.

Restaurant and agriculture industries would face the most acute impacts, the report found. Both sectors rely heavily on immigrant workers, many of whom are undocumented. Agriculture has long depended on seasonal and year-round immigrant labor, while Kentucky's restaurant industry has increasingly turned to immigrant workers to fill kitchen and service positions amid broader workforce challenges.

The report comes as immigration remains a contentious policy issue nationally and in Kentucky, with debates intensifying over enforcement priorities and economic impacts. The state's economy, which has shown resilience in recent years with growth in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, could face headwinds if labor availability becomes constrained.

The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, a Frankfort-based think tank that focuses on fiscal and economic policy issues affecting the state, has previously published research on workforce trends and demographic shifts in Kentucky. The organization's analysis adds to growing concern among business groups about potential labor shortages stemming from immigration enforcement actions.

State business leaders and agricultural advocates have previously expressed concerns about workforce availability, citing challenges in recruiting workers for positions in farms, food processing facilities, and hospitality venues. The report's findings may inform ongoing policy discussions at the state and local levels regarding labor, immigration enforcement, and economic development strategies.