BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — For the first time in decades, America’s immigrant population is in decline — and here in Kern County, that shift is more than just a statistic. It’s reshaping the local economy and daily life for many who call this region home.

Guadalupe Solis has worked in the fields most of his life. For him, farming isn’t just a job — it’s a family legacy and a point of pride.

“I always wanted to be a part of that,” Solis says. “Putting food on the table is one of the main reasons I do this.”

But now, with a shortage of workers, there's not enough to fill a crew.

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, immigration to the U.S. is declining. In January, immigrants made up 16% of the U.S. population. By June, that number dropped to 15%.

While it may seem like a

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