Top leaders in the Texas food industry say the sector has reached a critical point.

Citing rising costs and immigration policies they say are straining the economy from farm to table, they are calling on President Donald Trump and lawmakers to support work permits for long-term immigrant workers.

A family-owned Mexican restaurant in North Texas has been serving customers for more than 25 years.

But the lunch rush at Dona Lencha in North Texas is not as busy as in years past.

“Everything has been going up, especially on the prices of food,” said general manager Sandra Cruz.

The Texas Restaurant Association announced Tuesday it is backing a national coalition supporting work permits for long-term, vetted immigrant workers.

“We’re at a critical point right now,” said Emily Williams Knight, CEO and president of the Texas Restaurant Association. “We need this in Texas. We’ve got to have food prices come down.”

Association data shows 42% of restaurants nationwide were not profitable last year. In Texas, that number rises to 50%.

Polling also found 66% of Texas restaurant operators reported negative impacts from immigration enforcement, including declining sales, difficulty hiring and employees not showing up for work.

“[President Trump] has said ‘We know it’s an economic issue.’ We’ve secured the border. Now it’s time to get permits for these longtime employees that make up a great part of our population in Texas,” Williams Knight said.

Sam Lash, director and co-founder of Austin-based wholesaler Farm to Table, said farming in Texas has become increasingly difficult.

“What we’re looking for is an easier path for people to come and people to feel valued,” Lash said. “If we can stabilize our farming network with reliable, consistent quality labor our food system becomes stronger. It becomes more affordable.”

Williams Knight said the proposal does not include amnesty or citizenship and believes work permits could offer a bipartisan solution.

“We want all Texans to get behind that, to realize that these folks really are a very critical piece of making sure that all Texans can eat each day,” Williams Knight said.

Back at the family-owned restaurant, Cruz said she believes work permits could help stabilize the industry.

She has resisted raising prices to avoid driving away customers.

Instead, she said, the business has relied on savings.

“In order to keep the doors open and actually keep the business running,” Cruz said.