In the small city of Fremont, Nebraska, residents are facing a dilemma as an influx of Central American migrants takes on jobs in the local meat-processing plants. With the departure of young locals in search of better opportunities, the city's reliance on migrant workers has increased, particularly after the opening of a large rotisserie chicken facility by Costco in 2019.

Despite the need for migrant workers, Fremont has had a controversial law since 2010, known as Ordinance 5165, which attempts to prevent undocumented migrants from residing within city limits. This law requires all individuals renting property to sign a declaration confirming their legal presence in the United States. In 2010, the residents voted in favor of this ordinance, citing concerns about becoming a haven for undocumented immigrants.

While some residents like Brenda Ray support the law, acknowledging the change in the city's population and emphasizing the importance of legal status and English language proficiency, others feel that the law could be more effective. However, it remains a fallback option for the city if a significant problem arises.

The presence of migrant workers has undeniably transformed the community, with the Latino population rising to 16% according to census data. The Guatemalan consulate in Omaha estimates that there are at least 2,020 Guatemalans in Fremont, but the true figure could be 45% higher. Local churches catering to the Guatemalan community have experienced significant growth, with Maria and Vicente Hernandez, pastors of Dios es Amor #2, noting an increase in their congregation from three to 200 members over seven years.

Mark Jensen, President of the city council, who previously worked in the meatpacking industry, emphasizes that these physically demanding jobs are not attractive to native-born Americans and that migrant workers are crucial in meeting the industry's labor needs. However, concerns about undocumented workers using fraudulent documents have also arisen. A fraudulent document ring was recently uncovered, with investigators finding hundreds of counterfeit federal and state identity cards. Some residents believe that the problem is often concentrated around cities with meatpacking plants, including Fremont.

The growing Guatemalan presence is evident throughout Fremont, with local shops offering Latino foods and advertisements for remittance services. Many of the new arrivals live in a mobile home neighborhood close to the plants. Gaspar Larios, a local store owner, recognizes the positive impact of work on the Guatemalan community, noting that they now have their own homes in the United States. The arrival of migrants has brought economic benefits to the city, keeping the slaughterhouses operational.

However, the influx of migrants has also created strains on city services, with increased pressure on taxpayers due to the additional demand for resources. The school system has seen an influx of non-English-speaking students, including those who speak the Indigenous language of K'iche'. Efforts have been made to support these newcomers, such as a schoolteacher learning K'iche' to better communicate with students and their parents, and the hiring of a K'iche' translator at the local hospital.

While Fremont's law requiring declarations of legal presence for housing rental has not resulted in any known cases of action, the lack of a requirement for proof of legal status has left it legally toothless. The city has prepared for potential legal challenges, accumulating over $1.3 million in a legal fund through a special short-term tax and previously retaining lawyer Kris Kobach, an anti-immigration activist who assisted in drafting the law.

Fremont, a small city grappling with the economic benefits and strains of a growing migrant population, continues to navigate these complex issues while relying on migrant workers to sustain its vital meat-processing industry.